<P> The Everglades is a region of subtropical wetlands comprising the lower third of the Florida peninsula . Only 25 % of the original Everglades remains , protected within Everglades National Park ( ENP ) . The climate of South Florida and the location of the Everglades , surrounded by a metropolitan area to the east , Naples to the west , and Florida Bay to the south , make it particularly vulnerable to infestations of exotic species . Miami , in particular , is the hub for trade in exotic pets within the United States . Although the exact origin of Burmese pythons in the Everglades is unknown , it is likely that many were once pets released by owners who found them too difficult to care for . An evaluation of the genetic structure of Burmese pythons sampled from Everglades National Park determined that the population is genetically distinct from pythons sampled in the native range , but within the Everglades population , there is little genetic diversity . This finding either indicates that the python population is freely interbreeding or corroborates the hypothesis that the individuals originate from a specific source population such as the pet trade . </P>
where did the pythons in florida come from
it is likely that many were once pets released by owners who found them too difficult to care for