July 31, 2009

17-foot Burmese python killed in Fla.

Florida wildlife authorities said a 17-foot, 2-inch Burmese python was captured and destroyed on a private property in Okeechobee County.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the 207-pound reptile, which was captured and killed Thursday, did not have a pet microchip required for those snakes considered reptiles of concern, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

"Its stomach contents were examined, but nothing identifiable was found inside,'' the commission said in a news release.

The capture of this large python shows us how well these snakes can thrive in the wild and create a dangerous situation after illegal release or escape, Rodney Barreto, chairman of the conservation commission said in a statement.