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He was a Christmas visitor who did not overstay his welcome.
A Burmese python that had been spotted in a Miami-Dade neighborhood was removed just days before Christmas after a resident out for a walk spotted the snake hiding in an areca palm next to a home and contacted a local snake wrangler.
The snake’s removal came after neighbors grew increasingly concerned about its proximity to homes, pets and children as the holidays approached.
Video from the scene captured the stunned reactions of nearby residents as the python was removed from the palm tree.
“Oh my God, oh my God,” an unidentified woman can be heard gasping as the snake emerged.
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Humane Iguana Control extracts a Burmese python from an areca palm in a Florida neighborhood. (Courtesy of Humane Iguana Control)
Michael Ronquillo of Humane Iguana Control identified the snake filmed as a Burmese python and explained how it likely entered the residential area.
“So this is a Burmese python that was invading this neighborhood. It probably came through one of the local channels. So we’re happy we were able to catch it,” Ronquillo said.
While residents appeared alarmed by the snake’s size, Ronquillo remained calm while handling it.
“Yeah, I thought it would be bigger,” he said, wrestling with the reptile.
Ronquillo said the location of the python made the situation particularly dangerous because it was hidden deep in an areca palm located right next to a house.
“He was so deep in this areca palm that he could easily snatch someone’s pet or attack a human. Luckily, a neighbor who was walking was watching him to see where he was hiding,” Ronquillo said.
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A Burmese python hides under an areca palm in a Miami-Dade, Florida neighborhood before it was removed. (Courtesy of Humane Iguana Control)
“The areca palm was actually right next to the house, so it was quite dangerous,” he added.
The python was “about 6½ feet long and weighed about 30 pounds,” according to Ronquillo.
Residents were particularly concerned about the potential danger to their families if the snake remained in the neighborhood.
“Since it’s not a very common phenomenon, they were quite shocked to see such a large snake in their neighborhood. They were especially worried about pets and young children,” Ronquillo said. “They were also concerned that if they laid eggs it could have been much worse.”
Ronquillo explained that removing the snake was risky because of its position inside the palm.
“The position where I hid it was quite dangerous because it was difficult to determine where the head was with so many palm plants that the areca tree has,” he said.
Michael Ronquillo poses with a Burmese python after it was removed from a Florida neighborhood. (Courtesy of Humane Iguana Control)
Despite the danger, Ronquillo said experience makes a difference.
“By regularly killing iguanas and pythons, you just get used to handling them. It’s a pleasure for us,” he said.
If the python had remained in the area, Ronquillo said it could have posed a serious threat to pets and wildlife.
“It would start consuming cats and native animals such as opossums and raccoons,” he said.
Ronquillo said python sightings in urban areas are becoming more common.
“It’s becoming quite common, there are at least one to two moves every month in urban areas,” he said. “About five months ago we removed another python in Doral, which also caused panic.”
He warned residents not to attempt to handle a python on their own.
Michael Ronquillo of Humane Iguana Control holds a Burmese python after it was removed from a neighborhood in Miami-Dade, Florida. (Courtesy of Humane Iguana Control)
“They have about 100 very sharp, backward-facing teeth [to] lock onto their prey,” Ronquillo said. “Get [a] the bite can be difficult to remove, or even fatal if the python is very large,” he added.
If residents spot a python, Ronquillo said they should avoid intervening.
“They should watch him and not harass him so he doesn’t run away,” he said. “And again [do] Don’t try to capture if you don’t have the experience.
Ronquillo said trained professionals are best equipped to handle invasive snakes safely.
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“Companies trained in python removal like ours have the knowledge and expertise to do the job correctly and safely,” he said.
“Given that this is an invasive species, it is also important to humanely euthanize it as stated on the FWC. [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] website,” he added.
