Possible Burmese Python Sighting in Abaco Prompts Environmental Concerns

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ABACO, BAHAMAS – Experts say Burmese pythons cause severe environmental harm as an invasive apex predator.

In nearby Florida, they’ve had a devastating effect on native mammal populations and disrupted food chains in the Everglades.

Burmese pythons are non-venomous constrictors and among the world’s largest snakes that are native to Southeast Asia.

However, it’s also become a notable invasive species elsewhere.

They typically grow from 16 to 23 feet long and can weigh up to 200 pounds, eating small mammals, birds, pigs, deer, and occasionally larger animals like alligators.

Female Burmese pythons can lay up to 100 eggs in a single clutch.

Meanwhile, an image of a Burmese Python is going viral, appearing to be in the bushes of Abaco, resulting in the Ministry of Agriculture going on a mission to confirm the presence of the snake.

Wildlife Biologist Scott Johnson says if true, the impact could be huge.

Scott Johnson – Wildlife Biologist

“We don’t know the population size in The Bahamas, it may just be one, [and] if it is there…trying to find that animal and capture it and remove it out of the ecosystem is Paramount to protecting our native ecosystem, protecting our livestock and even protecting some lives.”

Even though the python poses a huge threat to humans, here’s why farmers should be even more concerned.

Scott Johnson – Wildlife Biologist

“…These animals are gonna go after large warm blooded prey such as ungulates which is the sheep and the goats, and they are going to want to consume them…as well as chickens…”

Now, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources released a statement about the image, Johnson says it’s possible it could be fake, as unauthentic images have surfaced before.

Scott Johnson – Wildlife Biologist

“We don’t know exactly how many snakes are there, there is some skepticism about whether the photo is a real photo taken in The Bahamas. Some people are saying oh it looks like AI and when you look at the photo, there is some iffy qualities about the photo, but you have to take a situation like that serious, and that does require persons going out and looking for the animal.”

So what should residents do if they encounter the snake?

Scott Johnson – Wildlife Biologist

“If you do see the snake, what you wanna do is you wanna stand clear of it, you wanna give it a space but you do want to record it. You wanna record the location of it. You wanna take some footed photos of it, [and] send it to the Department of Agriculture…”

“You could even send it to me so that I can assist with identification as well.”