10-Foot Python Suns on Florida Beach

A South Florida beachgoer got quite a surprise Tuesday when he came across a 10-foot, 30-pound Burmese python soaking up the last of summer’s sun.

“I really didn’t freak out,” Aaron Conklin was quoted by the Sun-Sentinel as saying. “I was nervous for a second.”

Keeping his head, Conklin enlisted another beachgoer to watch the snake while he caught the attention of a lifeguard. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was ultimately called out to Palm Beach County’s Highland Beach to wrangle the critter.

Wildlife officials quickly responded to the beach to capture the creature. FWC spokeswoman Katie Purcell told Patch the snake was taken to a permitted facility. It was thought it might be someone’s pet, so it was scanned for a microchip. No microchip, however, was found, Purcell said.

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While invasive pythons have become a real problem in South Florida in recent years, even prompting the need for hunting roundups, finding one on a beach isn’t normal, wildlife officials say. The state has had a problem with the nonnative critters since the 1980s and their population continues to grow.

In hopes of culling the population a bit, the state kicked off a semi-regular Python Challenge.

The state’s 2013 Python Challenge drew an estimated 1,600 hunters. Only 68 snakes were bagged. Even so, participants were eligible for cash prizes with $1,500 going to those responsible for the largest harvests. Prizes were also awarded to hunters who bagged the biggest python with the $1,000 reward going to Paul Shannon for a 14-foot, 3-inch Burmese.

A 2016 Python Challenge has been announced for Jan. 16-Feb. 14. To keep up with developments on the challenge or to find out about participating, visit the state’s website.

Photo of a Burmese python courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission