Editing Pythonidae (section)

==Distribution and habitat==
Pythons are found in [[sub-Saharan Africa]], [[Nepal]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Southeast Asia]], southeastern [[Pakistan]], southern [[China]], the [[Philippines]] and [[Australia]].<ref name="McD99"/>

Two known populations of invasive pythons exist in the Western Hemisphere. In the United States, an introduced population of [[Burmese python]]s (''Python bivittatus'') has existed as an [[invasive species]] in [[Everglades National Park]] since the late 1990s. As of January 2023, estimates place the Floridian Burmese python population at around half a million. Local bounties are awarded and scientists study dead Burmese pythons to better understand breeding cycles and trends associated with rapid population explosion. The pythons readily prey on native North American fauna in Florida, including (but not limited to) [[American alligator]]s, birds, [[bobcat]]s, [[American bullfrog]]s, [[Virginia opossum|opossum]]s, [[raccoon]]s, [[North American river otter|river otter]]s, [[white-tailed deer]], and occasionally domestic pets and livestock. They are also known to prey on other invasive and introduced animals to Florida, such as the [[green iguana]] and [[nutria]] (coypu), though not at a rate as to lower their numbers rapidly or effectively.<ref name="NGeo">{{cite web | url = http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0603_040603_invasivespecies.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040611213130/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0603_040603_invasivespecies.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 11, 2004 | title = Huge, Freed Pet Pythons Invade Florida Everglades | work = National Geographic News | access-date = 16 September 2007 }}</ref>

In [[Puerto Rico]], a population of [[reticulated python]]s (''Malayopython reticulatus'') are known to be currently established, with a remarkably high rate of [[albinism]], suggesting establishment from domesticated pet stock. Records of reticulated pythons date back to as early as 2009, and the population was recognized as established by 2017. <ref name =“SerpResearch”>{{cite web | url = https://serpentresearch.com/2022/08/07/malayopython-reticulatus-has-colonized-puerto-rico/ | title = Malayopython reticulatus has colonized Puerto Rico | work = Serpent Research | date = 7 August 2022 }}</ref>