17-foot python spotted, killed in Florida

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A 17-foot Burmese python shocked a family when it slithered into a picnic area in Florida.

The family caught the massive snake on camera before a park ranger killed it, WESH-TV, Orlando, Fla., reported Friday. The report did not say where the incident occurred.

Pythons are an invasive species in the United States. Researchers say the growing population of the snakes in Florida have devastated rabbit, fox, possum and bobcat populations.

In January, the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission is scheduled host the 2013 python challenge. The person who kills the most pythons will with $1,500, while $1,000 will go to the person who kills the longest python.