Anacondas are among the largest snakes in the world, and their presence in the Florida ecosystem is a matter of public concern. These massive, non-native constrictors, primarily the Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) and the smaller Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), have been sighted in the state’s waterways. However, there is no evidence of a self-sustaining, reproducing population in Florida. The current threat is limited to isolated individuals, unlike the widespread ecological problem caused by other invasive species.
The Official Status of Anacondas in Florida
State and federal wildlife agencies confirm that an established, breeding population of anacondas does not exist in Florida. Confirmed sightings of the Green Anaconda, the world’s heaviest snake, remain extremely low. Only about a dozen verifiable specimens have been observed in the wild across the state, spanning from the Everglades north toward Gainesville.
The Yellow Anaconda, which is smaller but more tolerant of cooler temperatures, has even fewer confirmed reports documented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The distinction between an isolated sighting and an established population is crucial for management. An established population requires proof of successful breeding and survival of multiple generations in the wild.
Sources of Isolated Sightings
The few anacondas found in Florida are almost exclusively a result of the exotic pet trade. These solitary individuals are typically pets that have escaped their enclosures or were illegally released or abandoned by their owners. The subtropical climate and extensive wetlands of South Florida allow them to survive for a time, as the habitat is similar to their native South American range.
Regulatory actions have been taken to reduce this risk of introduction. The Green Anaconda was added to Florida’s Prohibited species list in 2021, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists them as an Injurious Species under the Lacey Act, which prevents their importation. When these snakes are found, they are removed, and the state encourages a consequence-free surrender of prohibited pets through its Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.
Anacondas Versus Burmese Pythons
Public alarm often conflates all large invasive snakes, but the anaconda situation differs greatly from that of the Burmese Python (Python bivittatus). The Burmese Python has a confirmed and thriving breeding population in the Everglades, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of individuals are established and causing severe declines in native mammal populations.
The two species also exhibit different survival strategies and habitat preferences. Anacondas are highly specialized, semi-aquatic snakes that spend most of their time submerged in deep, slow-moving water, making them elusive but potentially less adaptable to the varied environments of the Everglades. Burmese Pythons are generally more terrestrial and have demonstrated greater cold tolerance, allowing them to expand their range and survive Florida’s occasional cold snaps. Anacondas give live birth, whereas pythons lay clutches of eggs, a reproductive difference that complicates control efforts.