Wildlife biologists in south Florida have discovered a way to bust up python orgies.

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It happened Feb. 21 on public land in Collier County, and far more startling is the fact two mating balls were discovered in one day. In all, 11 pythons were caught — one more than 16 feet long — bringing the tally to 500 pounds of snake.

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Both mating balls were found when conservancy staff put implants in male “scout snakes,” set them free, and followed the signals to remote areas where people seldom tread.

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It was a pair of python bachelors named Hisstopher and George that led Bartoszek and the team to the mating balls on Feb. 21. George was never seen that day, as he remained hidden underground, but his tracker led the team to the first mating ball, which included two males of around 45 pounds each and a 16-foot, 125-pound female, he says.

A far-bigger pile of snakes was found an hour later, when Bartoszek, biologist Ian Easterling and two assistants tracked down Hisstopher, he says.

The writhing mound was a stunning 7 feet wide, with heads and tails in every direction. The snakes appeared in no hurry to escape, which allowed the team to closely study the ball. It contained five males in the 30-pound range, and a 14-foot, 85-pound female. Two additional males were found lounging not far away. Among the details the team found interesting was where the snakes had chosen to mate. “The snakes were huddled together in a sunny patch of forest surrounded by ferns.”

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