USGS study finds invasive Burmese pythons sometimes use trees

The US Geological Survey said a new study found that invasive Burmese pythons in southern Florida sometimes use trees and shrubs. The announcement was published Wednesday 28 October 2026. Scientists tracked the pythons in Big Cypress National Preserve to document when and how the snakes used vegetation.

Researchers radio-tracked 188 adults and 168 juvenile pythons in Big Cypress National Preserve between 2017 and 2024. They recorded habitat use in more than 4000 data points. Adult and juvenile pythons both used arboreal habitat, but the behavior was relatively uncommon. Less than 3% of all snake observations involved pythons in trees or shrubs.

About 14% of adult pythons and 17% of juveniles included in the study were observed using arboreal habitat at least once. Juvenile pythons used trees and shrubs more frequently than adults. The researchers suggested this may reflect changes in habitat use as pythons grow and become larger.

The probability of observing a python in a tree generally decreased as its weight increased. Observations most often involved smaller, lighter pythons. Trees with strong branches, including Brazilian pepper trees and live oaks, supported some of the largest pythons.

Both juvenile and adult pythons were more likely to use trees and shrubs during the cooler, dry season, particularly in December and January. Most adult pythons observed in trees during these months were basking. The researchers suggested that pythons may use vegetation to maintain a high body temperature during drier, cooler months.

The US Geological Survey said the findings may affect the detection and removal of pythons. Researchers did not observe Burmese pythons preying on birds in trees during the study. Previous studies documented pythons preying on nests of Great Egrets and White Ibises in the Everglades. The study did not show that tree use caused declines in bird populations.