Everglades – Syndication Server

Floridian dresses for occasion during successful python hunt

A Florida hunter credits dressing like a python to catch a large python recently in the Everglades.

Fly anglers refer to the importance of “matching the hatch” in order to ensure a successful day of fishing.

For python hunter Kymberly Clark, the appropriate phrase is “matching the catch.”

Clark recently removed a large male python from the Florida Everglades while wearing clothes similar in color to her slithery quarry.

“When you match the catch!” Clark boasted via Instagram. “Who needs Gucci when you can dress Burmese Python style. For size perspective, I am 5’ 6.” We didn’t actually measure this guy but he was long and very thin.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kymberly Strempack Clark (@kym_clark)

Burmese pythons are invasive and threaten native wildlife in Florida. The state encourages public hunting as a means of keeping python numbers in check and helping to slow their spread to other regions.

The effort has been a struggle, but hunters are doing their part and Clark was proud of her recent catch, stating: “Every python removed makes a big difference in preserving Florida’s ecosystem and protecting our native wildlife.”

Another recent catch involved an enormous python measuring 17 feet, 2 inches and weighing 198 pounds. It was the second-heaviest python ever captured in Florida.

The heaviest was an 18-foot, 215-pound python captured in the Picayune Strand State Forest in 2021. The longest python caught in Florida measured 19 feet but weighed only 125 pounds.

Record python nest containing 111 eggs discovered in Florida

Just after the capture of a record-breaking 19-foot Burmese python in Florida, the state announced the shocking discovery of a record-breaking nest containing 111 python eggs.

Days after the capture of a record-breaking 19-foot Burmese python in Florida, the state announced the discovery of a record-breaking nest containing 111 python eggs.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. They’re found in and beyond the Everglades and prey on native species such as mammals, birds, other reptiles, and even small alligators.

The shocking discovery of so many eggs in one nest helps illustrate the prolific nature of a species that has few natural predators.

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However, Florida is combating the spread of pythons through various programs, including the Python Action Team Removing Invasive Species, or PATRIC.

The nest with 111 eggs was discovered in the Everglades and removed by contractors as part of the PATRIC program.

The 19-foot python – the longest ever recorded in the state, replacing an 18-foot python – was captured Monday by hunters in Big Cypress National Preserve.

Burmese pythons are not protected in Florida, except by anti-cruelty laws, and can be hunted year-round without a permit or license.

The annual Florida Python Challenge, with a grand prize worth $10,000, is scheduled Aug. 4-13.

–Image courtesy of Brandon Rahe

Watch: Alligator shows python who rules the Everglades

A Florida resident has captured footage showing an alligator devouring a large python after what appears to have been a lopsided battle.

A Florida resident has captured footage showing an alligator attempting to devour a large python after what appears to have been a lopsided battle.

The graphic footage was shared recently by Katina Boychew under the heading: Gator vs Python.

It was also a battle between a native species (American alligator) and a highly invasive species (Burmese python).

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A post shared by Katina Boychew (@katina86)

So it must have pleased Floridians to see the gator dispatching the python, at times thrashing its rival, so thoroughly.

As Sage Marshall described this week in Field & Stream: “… The gator then proceeds to gulp down part of the giant snake in a way that reminds me of Joey Chestnut eating hot dogs on the 4th of July.”

The one-sided result should not come as a surprise, given the weight advantage enjoyed by gators.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the heaviest alligator recorded in the state weighed 1,043 pounds.

The state-record python weighed 215 pounds.

MORE: Can you spot the hidden animal in these 14 photos?

‘Croczilla’ surfaces in Florida, allowing for bucket-list encounter

A Florida photographer has been sharing jaw-dropping footage of a 14-foot American crocodile nicknamed “Croczilla” because of its size and menacing appearance.

Kymberly Clark encountered the colossal beast recently in Everglades National Park. She states via Instagram that ‘Croczilla’ is believed to be the largest American crocodile in the 1.5-million-acre park.

Crocodiles are shy and reclusive and reside mostly in brackish or saltwater ponds, creeks and mangrove swamps, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

But Clark’s posts show ‘Croczilla’ sunning on a grassy bank, opening and closing its massive jaws and revealing enormous teeth.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kymberly Strempack Clark (@kym_clark)

“Although Crocs are native to America, this estimated 14-foot+ Crocodile is about the largest Croc found in the wild,” Clark states in her initial post. “In comparison to alligators, crocodiles have a more narrow snout, are lighter in color, and both upper and lower sets of teeth can be seen.”

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Clark adds: “Although this crocodile looks fierce, the American Crocodiles are very timid. The open mouth is not a sign of aggression but usually a way of regulating body temperature or a yawn. That being said, always keep a safe distance from crocodiles and other wildlife.”

Subsequent posts show Croczilla in various poses on the same bank. One reveals “That ‘I survived Monday’ look!” A video post shows Clark superimposed in the footage with the description: “When I saw this guy, I am not sure who opened their mouth wider. Croczilla or me?”

Another post, put to horror music, shows Croczilla stretched in the sun, revealing its size. Yet another post shows kayakers admiring Croczilla under the description: “Only in Florida.”

According to the FWC, the American Crocodile was listed as an endangered species in 1975. Their numbers have since increased from a few hundred animals to about 2,000 individuals.

The Florida population of American crocodiles is currently listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The FWC states in a website publication: “ Due to the American crocodile’s shy and reclusive nature, conflicts between them and people are extremely rare in Florida. However, as with any predatory animal, people should use caution when near them.”

–Image courtesy of Kymberly Clark

Watch: Rarely seen Everglades mink captures ‘giant’ snake

A Florida resident has captured extraordinary footage showing an Everglades mink scampering across a road with a large snake it had just captured.

A Florida resident has captured extraordinary footage showing an Everglades mink scurrying across a dirt road with a large snake it had just captured.

Hannah Cardenas sent her footage to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC, explaining that mink sightings are rare because of the animals’ elusive nature, shared the footage via Facebook on Monday, stating:

“Imagine the surprise seeing this Everglades mink scampering across the road carrying DINNER! A mother and daughter were on their way home from a nature hike in Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park when they spotted this mink run across the road in front of them – seconds later, it ran BACK across the road with a GIANT SNAKE in its mouth!”

Mink occasionally prey on snakes longer than their body lengths. They also eat fish, birds, and small mammals.

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According to the FWC website, mink are difficult to study in terms of abundance and distribution “because this species is small sized, fast moving, and excellent at remaining out of sight. They are often confused with the much larger and more common river otter.”

Mink are listed as threatened in Florida.

–Image courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

When alligator charges, fisherman falls down as if in a horror movie

A man was fishing from shore in the Everglades when an alligator started chasing him, prompting a hasty and heart-pounding retreat that was caught on video.

A fisherman in Florida was tarpon fishing from shore in the Everglades when an alligator surfaced and started swimming toward him, prompting a hasty and heart-pounding retreat down a trail with the gator giving chase.

As he backpedaled, Tommy Lee stumbled and fell with his wide-angle GoPro capturing the intense encounter.

“And I thought people only tripped and fell down at the worst possible time in horror movies for suspense,” one commenter wrote on the YouTube post.

When Lee got back to his feet, he was staring face-to-face with an 11-foot-plus alligator, which some believe was protecting its nest. (Warning for an expletive at the beginning of the video.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm-ZDWZd5Ok

“Well, that puts an end to my tarpon fishing,” Lee said in the video, posted by ViralHog on Monday. “Wow.”

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The 22-year-old native Floridian didn’t immediately flee the scene, however. Instead, he pointed his fishing rod at the alligator and told it to “Get back.” The alligator then charged him again, sending Lee farther down the path.

Seconds later, and breathing heavily, Lee went back for another look. He then witnessed the alligator, in full retreat, return to the water, to which Lee concluded in the video, “And I am outta here.”

Lee told ViralHog he was fishing at sunrise Saturday when the encounter occurred.

“The gator appeared much larger and closer in person,” he said. “It got within 10-feet of me.”

Or in other words, too close for comfort.

Photo courtesy of ViralHog.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Rare catch made of 240-pound ‘river monster’ hatched in 1920

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