Giant python, over 18 feet long, caught in Everglades National Park
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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National Park Service officials said they captured a Burmese python along a popular wildlife-watching trail in Everglades National Park.
The 18-foot-3-inch python was caught July 9 along the tram road at Shark Valley in the park. The paved loop is used by cyclists and trams taking visitors on wildlife tours through the wetlands.
Park officials said that a python researcher caught the female snake, which was euthanized after National Park Service and US Geological Survey interns were given an opportunity to handle the snake for educational and training purposes.
According to state wildlife officials, the longest python ever caught in Florida was 18 feet 8 inches long.
Pythons are not native to Florida, where scientists say the snakes are devouring native wildlife. Burmese pythons have no natural predators.
According to researchers, a python that's 18 feet long is capable of ingesting large prey such as deer or alligators.
