Scientists tracked 356 Florida pythons and uncovered a surprising winter habit

Florida’s invasive Burmese pythons are known for moving through wetlands and dense vegetation, but new research has revealed that some also spend time high above the ground. Scientists tracking 356 snakes in Big Cypress National Preserve over eight years recorded occasional tree-climbing behaviour, with one adult male reaching a height of seven metres.

The findings show that these movements are more common during the cooler winter months, when pythons may use branches to bask and absorb heat. The discovery offers wildlife managers fresh information about the snakes’ movements and raises questions about their possible encounters with native birds.How scientists tracked 356 Burmese pythons in FloridaBurmese pythons have established themselves across much of southern Florida, where they occupy a range of natural environments.

Their ability to live in different habitats has made them difficult to monitor, and understanding where they spend their time remains a persistent problem for wildlife managers.