海角大神

A Burmese python聽found in聽Florida聽set records as the largest such snake ever captured in the state at 17-feet, 7-inches (5.36 metres) and the most prolific reproducer carrying a record load of 87 eggs, according to researchers.

The previous聽Florida聽record setters were a 16-foot, 8-inch python聽(5.08 metres) and 85 eggs.

"It was huge," said聽Paul Ramey, spokesman for the聽Florida聽Natural History Museum at the聽University of Florida听颈苍 Gainesville. To perform the necropsy, researchers "had to put three tables together and it took at least four people to pick it up and get it on the tables," Ramey said on Tuesday.

Burmese pythons are native to聽Southeast Asia. The snake was captured in April in the Everglades National Park by researchers studying the impact of the pythons on native species. The eggs were discovered on Friday, university researchers said in a statement.

Ramey said Burmese pythons, which have no natural predators in聽Florida, became established in the state in 2000. Previous studies determined that聽Florida聽has the world's worst invasive reptile and amphibian problem, he said.

Part of the python听颈苍vasion is attributed to pet owners dumping exotic pets when the creatures become too difficult to manage at home.

Ramey said Burmese pythons in the wild in聽Asia聽are known to reach 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.6 metres) in length, so researchers fully expect that eventually someone will find a 20-foot Burmese python听颈苍聽Florida.

After researchers finish with the snake, the skeleton or skin of its nearly 165-pound (75-kg) carcass is expected to be placed on public display, Ramey said.

(Editing by Jane Sutton and Doina Chiacu)