Watch A Behemoth Python Invade A Florida Pool And Refuse To Leave

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Many people view their backyard as a private oasis where they can relax and unwind. However, for Florida residents, there is also a chance that an unexpected guest could be sharing the yard with you.

While a recent video posted by Catch Em All Fishing showcased a trapper who found a massive 15 ft python hiding in his pool, the likelihood of this type of encounter happening to a typical homeowner is still common.

The trapper describes that he had originally shot the snake and would turn it into a pair of boots. However, after opening the cooler where he kept the serpent, he quickly realized that the snake he thought he had killed had escaped.

After searching for a few minutes, the trapper and his partner found the large python in some pool tubing. Later on, it slowly made its way into the pool water, where the crew captured it.

Even though this encounter wasn’t accidental, the truth is anyone in Florida can run across these large snakes in their backyards.

In the following sections, we’ll explore more about the Burmese python, including where it lives, its ability to breathe underwater, how big the species typically gets, and how one could survive getting shot.

Where Do Burmese Pythons Typically Live?

Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia, thriving in tropical rainforests, swamps, and grasslands. As semi-aquatic predators, they are highly adaptable, spending much of their time near water sources such as rivers, lakes, and floodplains.

However, in Florida, Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have completely upended the local ecosystem. Originally introduced through the exotic pet trade, these massive snakes have since established a breeding population in the Everglades, where they have no natural predators.

Unlike many snake species, Burmese pythons are versatile and can thrive in swamps, mangroves, suburban backyards, and even swimming pools.

With Florida’s warm, humid climate, these snakes have spread beyond the Everglades, increasing the chances of encounters in residential areas.

How Big Do Burmese Pythons Typically Get?

Burmese Python, Boa Constrictor, Snake, Aggression, Brown — Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes on Earth.

©iStock.com/Lunatic_67

Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes in the world, with females growing even larger than males.

In Florida, the average python measures between 10 and 16 feet long, though research teams have located individuals of much greater sizes. Currently, the largest Burmese python ever documented in the state exceeded 19 feet in length and weighed 125 pounds.

However, in their native habitat, these snakes can surpass 20 feet, continuing to grow throughout their 20 to 25-year lifespan.

Their immense size, strength, and adaptability make them apex predators in Florida’s ecosystem. With no natural predators aside from humans and the occasional impact of extreme cold, these snakes have been able to thrive, dominating the landscape and outcompeting native species.

Why Would a Python End Up in a Florida Pool?

With pythons becoming more widespread in Florida, backyard sightings are becoming more common. But why would a snake seek refuge in a pool? Here are a few potential reasons.

Attraction to Warm Water

Burmese pythons are cold-blooded and rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Pools retain warmth better than many natural water sources, making them an appealing resting place.

Accidental Falls

Some pythons unintentionally fall into pools and have difficulty finding their way out. This entrapment often happens in residential areas where man-made barriers confuse the snake’s navigation.

Hunting for Food

Pythons are opportunistic predators and may follow prey near water sources, bringing them dangerously close to human dwellings and causing them to fall into the water.

Seeking Shelter

During extreme weather changes, pythons look for stable environments, sometimes hiding in gutters, pool filters, or drainage pipes before ending up in the water.

Whether intentional or not, once inside a pool, a python may stay put, believing it has found a safe and warm resting place.

Can Burmese Pythons Breathe Underwater?

Many people associate large snakes like Burmese pythons and anacondas with water, which leads them to question whether they can breathe underwater.

The simple answer is no — they can’t breathe underwater.

However, the python’s body has incredible features that allow it to hold its breath and remain submerged for over 30 minutes at a time.

Nostrils Positioned for Stealth

Unlike many land-dwelling snakes, Burmese pythons have nostrils positioned high on their snout, allowing them to submerge almost their entire body while still breathing at the surface.

This adaptation enables them to remain nearly invisible in the water, making it easier to ambush prey or avoid detection by larger predators or humans. By keeping only the tip of their snout exposed, they can wait patiently for the right moment to strike, blending seamlessly into their environment.

Slowed Heart Rate to Help Conserve Oxygen

When submerged, Burmese pythons can slow their heart rate, allowing them to conserve oxygen and extend the time they can stay underwater. This ability is similar to how marine reptiles, like sea turtles, regulate their oxygen levels to stay underwater longer.

Powerful Bodies Built for Aquatic Environments

Burmese pythons are exceptionally strong swimmers, using their muscular bodies to propel themselves through the water with minimal effort. Unlike some snakes that struggle in deep water, pythons move gracefully and efficiently, allowing them to easily navigate swamps, rivers, and marshes.

Their swimming capability is one of the key reasons they have thrived in Florida’s wetland environments, where they can travel long distances undetected and establish breeding populations in areas once dominated by native species.

How Did the Python in the Video Survive Getting Shot in the Head?

One of the most shocking aspects of this encounter is how the python survived after being shot in the head.

For most animals, such an injury would be immediately fatal. However, snakes like the Burmese python possess unique biological adaptations that allow them to withstand extreme injuries and even continue functioning for hours or days after what should be a fatal wound.

A Slow Metabolism that Delays Death

Unlike mammals, which rely on a constant and rapid circulation of oxygen-rich blood to sustain brain function, snakes have an incredibly slow metabolism. This biological difference means their bodies do not shut down immediately after trauma, allowing certain vital reflexes and motor functions to persist even in critical conditions.

A Burmese python’s metabolic flexibility allows it to survive for extended periods even with severe head trauma, giving them a rare window of time to escape or react before their body fully shuts down.

A Nervous System that Extends Beyond the Brain

Unlike humans and most other vertebrates, which rely on a centralized nervous system controlled by the brain, snakes have a more distributed network of nerve centers throughout their body.

A dispersed nerve layout means that even if the brain is damaged, certain automatic motor functions like coiling, striking, or attempting to escape can continue.

In some cases, decapitated snakes have remained active for minutes or even hours, displaying twitching, striking, or coiling motions despite having no functional brain control. This decentralized nervous system is a key reason why Burmese pythons can appear “alive” and functional long after sustaining severe injuries.

A Thick Skull and Natural Armor

Burmese pythons have a reinforced skull structure and thick, keratinized scales that serve as natural armor. Unlike soft-bodied animals, a python’s bony skull can deflect or absorb the impact of a bullet if it is not placed directly through a vital area.

Additionally, the placement of the brain within the skull may provide some protection against immediate death, especially if the bullet fails to penetrate deep enough or if it glances off a reinforced portion of the skull.

With the unique design of the snake’s skull, a shot intended to be lethal may merely incapacitate or injure the python rather than immediately kill it.