A South Florida water management crew got quite a surprise on the job this week when they stumbled upon an 18-foot, 150-pound python in wooded uplands near wetlands a few miles north of Everglades National Park Tuesday.

The South Florida Water Management workers called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission who shot and killed the snake.

Researchers said these reptiles feed on native animals and destroy ecosystems.

Despite this snake's size, it is not the largest on record in Florida. That distinction goes to an 18-foot, 8-inch python found in 2013.