Kangaroos, monkeys, giant lizards, snakes and a 2,000-pound white rhinoceros are among more than 140 animals that escaped from captivity in Florida since 2022, state wildlife records obtained by News 6 reveal.

The Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation released 25 non-venomous, eastern indigo snakes into Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest on Saturday, according to a press release.

Snakes play a vital role in the ecosystem around the world and people’s misunderstandings may be the biggest barrier to their conservation.

Southeastern Australia is seeing a massive animal exodus caused by record-breaking floods. People are seeing a surge of creatures on their land as they try to find higher ground. [TRENDING: 18+ can soon get vaccine in Fla. | That’s not lint: Family finds snake in dryer | So Florida: Gator swims with shark]Spiders in particular have been found in homes. People have also reported seeing trees full of snakes. According to New South Wales’ Premier, nearly 18,000 people have been forced to flee flood-hit regions in the state.

AdThe 16 reptiles include Burmese pythons; reticulated pythons; scrub pythons; Northern African pythons; Southern African Pythons; amethystine pythons; green anacondas; Nile monitor lizards; tegus (all species) and green iguanas. And dealing with tegu lizards alone consumes a third of the agency’s budget for managing invasive species. We cannot afford to have that work jeopardized by invasive species,” said Chris Farrell, Northeast Florida policy associate for Audubon Florida. “It’s all hands on deck when it comes to these invasive species,” Bartlett said. The state agency estimates 180 of 593 introduced invasive species in Florida are reptiles, 92% of them introduced by the live trade of animals.

But one South Florida python hunter has been experimenting with what some have dubbed “chicken of the Glades” — making meals, snacks and even sweets that could give the holidays that distinctive South Florida flavor. Siewe, a self-described herper — reptile and amphibian enthusiasts — moved from Indiana to South Florida to become a python hunter last year. The giant snakes are everywhere in South Florida, devouring mammals in the Everglades and disrupting the natural balance of predator and prey. In addition to the District’s paid python hunters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also runs a python elimination program by employing contractors. Allowing the consumption of python meat might encourage more people to get involved in catching them, Kalil said.

Its the last thing those who fear snakes want to hear. Scientists at Virginia Teach University have confirmed one species of snakes can propel into the air. They discovered the same motion snakes use while slithering on the ground can be used to stabilize them and allow them to fly further. However, the scientists were not able to learn how the snakes generate lift or how they are able to turn in the air. Paradise Tree Snakes only live in Southeast Asia and their venom is considered harmless to humans.

LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida city shut down a section of a lake Thursday after receiving reports of swarming snakes. The Lakeland Parks & Recreation department wrote on its Facebook page that a group of non-venomous water snakes congregated to mate near a traffic roundabout. Officials said the snakes are “generally not aggressive as long as people do not disturb them.”Once mating is over, the snakes are expected to go their separate ways. The city said that Florida water snakes are a native species. Lakeland is in Central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando.