Residents of the tiny island community of Chokoloskee are raising concerns over an explosion in the population of invasive Burmese pythons.
Dozens of the giant snakes have been spotted in the last two months, leading to fears for pets, livestock, and native wildlife.
The first snake was after Irma ... I had a pair of ducks ... one day, there was one duck, and two days later, there was a duck and a python—but the duck was inside the python," said Thais Tepper, a Chokoloskee resident.
Since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the sightings have multiplied exponentially, both on the small island community, and neighboring areas, according to residents.
"We are definitely invaded by pythons," said Tepper.
The crisis is visibly affecting Chokoloskee's way of life, and residents have begun to take matters into their own hands, instead of reaching out to wildlife experts such as the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission , and South Florida Water Management .
"My son got a gun and shot it ... And if you want to make sure it’s dead, you cut the head off with a machete," said Lynn McMillan, the owner of the Smallwood Store .
Residents say the snakes, which can grow over 18 feet long, are displacing native species and posing risks to human safety. Many mammal populations have been reduced by as much as 90% thanks to the invasive apex predators, according to Florida Fish & Wildlife.
"When I was a kid, I’d count 20 or 30 on the way home from Naples ... Now I’m lucky if I see one or two," said Brandon Purvis, another resident.
Purvis tells NBC2 News he has caught about 10 pythons in recent weeks, and others have seen more on roads, in front of homes, and near livestock.
"You don’t even really have to be looking for them to find them," said Purvis.
Florida Fish & Wildlife encourages all who spot a Burmese Python to trap and dispatch of the invasive snake humanely. If you are unable or unwilling to do so, take a picture of the reptile and contact local wildlife officials.