How to trap a python

Question
QUESTION: We have a 12 foot python (Burmese?) in the wooded brush area behind our Florida home. The lot also backs up to water. We "lost" 7 cats and didn't have a clue why before someone spotted the snake. There are lots of burrows and we don't know which he calls home, but he was spotted once by a reliable person. Obviously, he's got to go. I can call animal control to come fetch him, but they will only come if he is trapped or out in the open (not likely to happen). They won't look for him.  We have looked, but it's been cold out and are told he may be hibernating.  Any ideas on how to trap him?

ANSWER: Hello Stephanie!

WOW, a Burmese huh?  I saw a baby one when we were living in Key West.  Where in Florida are you at?
Geez, you lost 7 cats?  He is obviously a large snake, sorry he got your cats.  
Have you tried putting a basking or heat lamp out for him for overnight?  That might help, but if he is brumating this is going to be tricky to catch him though.  
Other than that, I don't have any other ideas.  If the burrows could be filled with water to try & flush him out, that could work.  

Good luck.  Let me know if you have any luck.  That is a large snake, so be careful.  

Tracie     



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Tracie. We live in the Daytona Beach area.  My husband and and I went back there this morning to walk the area.  It's a HUGE area and total jungle-like wilderness. You can't even walk through all the brush.   There's no telling where he's at.  A tree guy we hired to cut down some big oaks spotted him. There are so many holes and totally secluded areas in the back; I just don't know what to do. I have been to a hundred web sites and spoken to fish and game folks. No one has any good ideas as it is so secluded and such an ideal habitate for a big snake. Jeff (husband) thinks we need to dig a hole and put rats down there, but I don't know what that would accomplish.  I'll keep you posted.  I'm hoping to get some local snake experts to actually come on out to the property to look around.  Is "brumating" hibernating?  Do they feed at night?  Do you think they sun themselves everyday in the same area?  How often do they eat?  Last cat disappeared before T-Giving, but there are lots of racoons, etc back there.  I fear for my 23 pound dog, but I keep her in fenced yard and on a leash!

Answer
Hello Stephanie,

Geez, that is actually one of the ideas that I had was to put some rats out there in one of the burrows, but, if there are that many burrows it is most likely pointless.
I think getting a local expert out there could be helpful.  They do sun themselves yes, & they would take a meal whenever they can get one being opportunistic creatures.  Normally, they tend to stay in the same area if they are finding food.
Yes, brumating is hibernating, but hibernating is the term used for mammals & brmating is the term used for reptiles.
Your last cat disappeared before Thanksgiving?  Sorry about you losing all of your cats.  Be very careful with your dog.  Don't leave her out at night.  

Definitely let me know how things are going!  Can you take a picture of it for me when you do get hold of it?
Thanks.
Tracie