In 1992, Hurricane Andrew may have helped giant Burmese pythons spread across Florida's Everglades, creating one of America's worst invasive species crises

For decades, Florida’s Everglades have faced a silent invasion unfolding beneath the dense vegetation and winding waterways. What began with the arrival of Burmese pythons through the exotic pet trade has become one of the most significant wildlife challenges in the United States. The turning point came around 1992, when Hurricane Andrew damaged facilities in South Florida and may have helped release snakes into the wild. Since then, these giant predators have adapted to the warm, wet environment of the Everglades, growing in numbers and reshaping the natural balance. With few predators capable of controlling them, Burmese pythons have preyed on native mammals, birds and other wildlife. Scientists and officials continue to search for solutions as the invasive snakes remain deeply established in one of America’s most unique ecosystems.

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