Quick Reference Guide: Introduced Constrictors in Florida1
Three non-native species of large constrictor snakes are now breeding in Florida, and several others have been encountered but have not yet established wild populations. This fact sheet, best viewed as a pdf (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW34700.pdf), is a quick reference guide to identification of the constrictors you are most likely to encounter in Florida. Although many of these snakes are not established in the wild, they are common in the pet trade, and each has been spotted in the wild—it is likely that these were escaped or released pets. View maps of locations where each species has been encountered in Florida by visiting the EDDMapS Florida invasive species reporting portal online at http://www.IveGot1.org. Learn more about how to scan for, recognize, and report introduced constrictors by completing the Introduced Reptile Early Detection and Documentation training course. Visit http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/reddy.shtml to learn more and get REDDy!
Pythons
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)
Status: established, breeding populations; range expanding in Florida
Size: up to 12 feet or longer
Head: dark arrowhead, light center line, dark and light wedges under eyes
Body: Giraffe-like spots, dark blotches not connected
Credit: Head illustration by USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Northern African Python (Python sebae)
Status: potentially breeding near Miami, not yet considered beyond eradication
Size: up to 12 feet or longer
Head: dark arrowhead with light center line, dark and light wedges under eyes
Body: irregular dark blotches, blotches on back connected
Credit: USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus)
Status: individual sightings only
Size: up to 12 feet or longer
Head: light-colored with dark center line, thin dark eye stripe, reddish eyes
Body: dark net-like pattern accented with white and yellow
Credit: Head illustration by USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Ball Python (Python regius)
Status: individual sightings only; common in pet trade
Size: usually 4 feet or shorter
Head: dark arrowhead, tan facial bands
Body: rounded tan blotches on dark background
Credit: Head and body illustrations by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Anacondas
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Status: individual sightings only
Size: up to 12 feet or longer
Head: top unmarked, obvious paired light and dark eye stripes
Body: large, round black spots on greenish body, spots on lower sides have orange centers
Credit: Head illustration by USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
Status: individual sightings only
Size: up to 12 feet or longer
Head: five dark, lengthwise stripes on yellowish head
Body: dark blotches on yellow back, smaller blotches on sides
Credit: Head illustration by USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Other Constrictors
Common or Red-Tailed Boa (Boa constrictor)
Status: one breeding population in Miami; individual sightings elsewhere
Size: usually less than 10 feet long
Head: light-colored with dark center line, bold dark eye stripe
Body: large, tan ovals on back, large, reddish ovals on tail
Credit: Head illustration by USGS; body illustration by Monica E. McGarrity, UF
Acknowledgments
This project was made possible in part by a grant from the South Florida National Parks Trust and the Ferris Greeney Family Foundation, and by the USDA-RREA. This document was originally created as additional reference material for the Introduced Reptile Early Detection and Documentation training program, also known as REDDy. For more information, visit http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/reddy.shtml.
