Snakes are scary slithering reptiles and not everyone would be comfortable being in the same slithery presence. For Indians, snakes have been a part of mythology and even worshipped by some communities. We have festivals surrounding snake worship. Pythons are among the dangerous snake species and a new study points more about their expansion. A study by wildlife researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that a cross-breeding between an Indian python snake along with Burmese pythons gives birth to 'super snakes' which have been found in Florida's Everglades. Python Swallowed a Baby Monkey, The Monkeys Later Killed The Snake! View Pic.

This hybrid super snake species can expand and spread than any other known snake species in the world. The findings of the study were published in the Ecology and Evolution journal. The wildlife researchers deeply examined the tail tissue of 400 Burmese pythons across south Florida. They found that 13 of them had genetic similarities with the Indian pythons.

Check out the tweet about the super snakes in Florida:

USGS researcher said, "Hybrid vigor can potentially lead to a better ability to adapt to environmental stressors and changes. In an invasive population like the Burmese pythons in South Florida, this could result in a broader or more rapid distribution." These mixed DNA snakes can adapt to multiple terrains. The Indian pythons reside mostly on high dry grounds, where Burmese pythons are swamp-dwellers. Shocking Video of Giant Python Eating an Indonesian Woman Will Freak You Out.

Florida's Everglades could have tens of thousands of such pythons but the exact number cannot be told. They can definitely grow longer than the other species, upto 20 feet and weigh more than 100 pounds. USGS geneticist Margaret Hunter said it was surprising to find the mixed DNA. It is not yet clear how the cross-breeding could have taken place, but climate change could be one of the major factors. Snakes, head to the north when the earth becomes hot. But snakes do not usually cross because of their prey and habitats. The python population can rapidly adapt. These super snakes can prove to be a problem with the other indigenous habitat of mammals in the region.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2018 09:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).