(Fox News)-- The Burmese python is native to southeast Asia. Therefore it is an invasive species in the Florida Everglades and they have taken over. The snake can reach an incredible size of 20 feet in length.
Florida has increased the number of hunters for the snake, invested into technological advances, and are even looking into python-sniffing dogs.
Things are getting so bad in Florida with these snakes that wildlife officials are considering releasing cooking instructions for the snake.
One problem, Burmese pythons are loaded with mercury.
In a study performed ten years ago, The Everglades National Park found that the snake carried around 3.5 parts per million of mercury. That is eight times the .46 parts per million recommendation set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“We were not used to seeing numbers like that. These guys are just loaded with mercury,” scientist David Krabbenhoft told the Palm Beach Post.
For comparison, salmon is .022 PPM, catfish is .024 PPM, tuna is .41, and sharks come in at .979, according to the FDA.
If prepared properly, the snake meat can be used as a substitute in pork and chicken recipes.
The state record Burmese python was captured back in October. It was 18 feet and 9 inches long and weighed in at 104 lbs.
Related:
10 foot python removed from under car hood in Florida
Story via Michael Hollan with Fox News