19-foot, 125 lb. python is largest ever caught in Florida

OCHOPEE, Fla. (WPEC) — The Conservancy of Southwest Florida documented the longest Burmese python ever caught in Florida.

On Wednesday, the serpent was found in Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, measuring 19 feet and weighing 125 pounds, according to theconservancy's website. The previous record was held by a python measuring 18 feet and 9 inches.

Around 1 a.m. Wednesday, python hunters stumbled upon the behemoth and contacted the python team at the conservancy, which is an environmental non-profit based out of Naples, so they could collect measurements.

Jake Waleri, a 22-year-old Naples native, and Stephen Gauta found the record-breaking snake in the national preserve, the website said. Waleri said they wrestled the python for about three minutes before he got ahold of the head.

"It's the only snake I've ever seen that scared me enough where I just didn't know what to do," Waleri said.

"It's pretty terrifying to know that these animals are so destructive but knowing that we can go out there and take care of monsters like this and get them out of The Everglades is something that makes you feel good," Gauta said.

Waleri said he understands how important it is to remove invasive predators from Florida's wildlife and wanted the Burmese python donated to science.

“It’s awesome to be able to make an impact on South Florida’s environment. We love this ecosystem and try to preserve it as much as possible," Waleri said.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida even holds its own record for catching the heaviest Burmese python ever recorded in Florida. This monster female was caught in June 2022 and weighed 215 pounds, according to their website.

A biologist with the conservancy, Ian Easterling, said genetic material gathered from the reptiles will prove to be invaluable for further research.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida has assisted in threats of invasive Burmese pythons, trying to control their spread with science-based solutions and humane tactics. Over the course of about 10 years, the website said their team has removed over 30,000 pounds of python from a 150-square-mile area in southwestern Florida.