Scientists tracked 356 Florida pythons and uncovered a surprising winter habit

NewsScience NewsScientists tracked 356 Burmese pythons in Florida for 8 years and uncovered a surprising winter habit, with some invasive snakes climbing trees as high as 7 metres above the ground Scientists tracked 356 Burmese pythons in Florida for 8 years and uncovered a surprising winter habit, with some invasive snakes climbing trees as high as 7 metres above the ground TOI Science Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Nov 06, 2026, 15:00 IST 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 Florida USGS reported that fewer than 3% of the recorded observations involved snakes positioned in trees or shrubs.

Across the tracked animals, around 14% of adults and 17% of juveniles were documented using vegetation above the ground at least once.Why Burmese pythons climb trees in winter The new findings have practical implications because locating Burmese pythons in the Everglades is already difficult.

Their ability to remain concealed in dense vegetation, combined with their behaviour and habitat choices, makes routine detection unreliable.Current estimates suggest that the probability of finding an individual python during a detection effort can fall below 5%.

Knowing that some individuals use trees during particular months gives wildlife managers another behaviour to consider when planning monitoring and removal work.Could climbing pythons pose a risk to nesting birds The study also raises questions about the possible interaction between Burmese pythons and native wildlife.

The Everglades supports several bird species that nest in trees and shrubs, creating opportunities for encounters with predators capable of reaching elevated branches.During the tracking investigation, scientists did not record pythons attacking or eating birds in trees.

However, earlier research has documented the reptiles feeding on bird nests in the region, including those belonging to Great Egrets and White Ibises.What the findings mean for the future of python research The TOI Science Desk stands as an inquisitive team of journalists, ceaselessly delving into the realms of discovery to curate a captivating collection of news, features, and articles from the vast and ever-evolving world of science for the readers of The Times of India.

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