19-Foot Python Captured & Killed Near Miami, Sets Florida State Record

Hard to believe a Python this large still exist; anyway here is the gist!

Earlier this month, a man caught and killed a nearly 19-foot, 128-pound Burmese python near Miami. The snake is believed to be the largest ever captured in the state of Florida.

On May 11, Jason Leon spotted roughly three feet of python protruding from some bushes in a rural area of Miami-Dade County. He pulled the 18-foot, 8-inch python to the road, only to lose control of the giant female snake, which quickly wrapped itself around his arms and legs. After calling for help, Leon killed the python with a knife.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released a statement thanking Leon.

“Jason Leon’s night time sighting and capture of a Burmese python of more than 18 feet in length is a notable accomplishment that set a Florida record. The FWC is grateful to him both for safely removing such a large Burmese python and for reporting its capture,” said Kristen Sommers, with FWC, in a release.