Miami-Dade, FL - Wildlife officials in South Florida removed an invasive Burmese python and a nest of eggs after an unusual discovery beneath a residential sidewalk in Miami Dade County.
The female python and approximately 20 eggs were found hidden beneath a sidewalk in Cutler Bay during what experts describe as the peak nesting period for the invasive species.
Authorities said the discovery was made after a resident spotted part of the snake and reported it to wildlife officials and licensed python removal personnel.
According to experts, female Burmese pythons often seek protected locations to lay and guard their eggs until they hatch.
While nests are commonly found in vegetation, burrows, or secluded outdoor areas, officials said finding a python nest beneath a sidewalk is less common.
The snake remained near the eggs when removal crews arrived at the scene.
Wildlife personnel safely removed both the python and the eggs before they could hatch.
Experts noted that although 20 eggs may seem like a large number, Burmese pythons are capable of producing significantly larger clutches. Larger females have been documented laying dozens of eggs during a single nesting season.
Burmese pythons are considered an invasive species in Florida and have established breeding populations throughout portions of South Florida, particularly within and around the Everglades ecosystem.
Wildlife officials say the snakes pose a threat to native wildlife because they prey on birds, mammals, and reptiles that have not evolved alongside the species.
State agencies and licensed contractors continue efforts to locate and remove invasive pythons as part of ongoing management programs aimed at limiting population growth and protecting native ecosystems.