Connor Merritt

In the wilds of South Florida, the invasive Burmese python is taking its reign of terror to new levels. Recently, biologists witnessed the jaw-dropping power of these reptiles when they found a nearly 15-foot female python consuming a white-tailed deer. Ian Bartoszek, a biologist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, told ABC News this discovery of a snake eating deer was “as primal as it gets,” revealing the python’s ability to swallow prey almost the same size as itself. 

In December 2022, biologists stumbled upon a gruesome scene of a nearly 15-foot female Burmese python eating a fully-grown white tail near on private property near Naples, Florida. Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Snake Eating Deer: Meet the Burmese Python 

Burmese pythons, originally from Asia, have adapted too well to Florida’s landscape, thanks to accidental and intentional releases over the years. What’s impressive (and terrifying) is that these snakes are capable of consuming prey equal to their own body mass — that means anything from alligators to deer is fair game.  

By the time Bartoszek and his team arrived, the python had already swallowed half the deer and, within 30 minutes, had devoured the rest. Bartoszek described the experience to ABC News as a front-row seat to nature’s raw power and said, “We caught the serial killer in action.” 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE iSPORTSMANUSA NEWSLETTER FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

Tracking This Invasive Species 

In December 2022, biologists stumbled upon a gruesome scene of a nearly 15-foot female Burmese python eating a fully-grown white tail near on private property near Naples, Florida. Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Using radio telemetry, Bartoszek’s team has been tracking these snakes, with a focus on the reproductive females, to understand and hopefully help control their devastating impact. Burmese pythons have already caused alarming declines in local wildlife populations within the Everglades, making the biologists’ work crucial for conservation. 

With their insatiable appetites and prolific breeding, Burmese pythons are more than just a fascinating sight: They’re a major ecological threat. These apex predators have transformed Florida’s food chain and left conservationists scrambling to save native wildlife. For those interested in ecology and the challenges of conservation, this story is a reminder of what Florida’s ecosystem is up against. 

Read about the Python Hunter of Florida on iSportsmanUSA.

Photos courtesy of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida