A contracted hunter working deep in Florida’s swamps has helped capture one of the largest Burmese pythons ever recorded in the state, wildlife officials confirmed Tuesday.

Carl Jackson, along with three family members, caught a female Burmese python earlier this month measuring 16 feet, 10 inches and weighing 202 pounds.

The snake is the second heaviest Burmese python ever captured in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The heaviest Burmese python previously recorded in the state weighed 215 pounds.

Wildlife officials said the snake was carrying about 200 eggs at the time it was captured, highlighting the ongoing threat the invasive species poses to Florida’s native wildlife.

Jackson is a contracted python action team hunter with the FWC and has captured numerous snakes during his work. Despite his experience, he said the massive python stood out.

Authorities continue to encourage the removal of invasive Burmese pythons, which are not native to Florida and have contributed to significant declines in mammal populations in the Everglades.

Click here for more information on Florida’s annual python challenge.

What a catch! Hunter captures one of Florida’s largest Burmese pythons in the Everglades

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Ryan Mackey