Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 372 is my conversation with Mike Kimmel, known as the Python Cowboy, a state-contracted python hunter in the Everglades who also removes iguanas, Nile monitors, Egyptian geese, and other invasive species across South Florida. We get into why these animals are such a serious threat, the damage pythons and iguanas inflict on native wildlife and infrastructure, and what it actually takes to manage an invasive species problem that keeps growing.
Listen now: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Press play in the player above to watch.
Mike Kimmel, known as the Python Cowboy, is a state-contracted python hunter in the Florida Everglades. Beyond pythons, he removes iguanas, Nile monitors, Egyptian geese, and other invasive species across South Florida, and he works to educate the public on why invasive species management matters.
A state-contracted python hunter is paid to locate and remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades to protect native wildlife. Mike explains how the work is done, why it is so difficult given how well pythons hide, and how it fits into Florida's broader invasive species removal efforts.
Invasive Burmese pythons have no natural predators in the Everglades and prey heavily on native mammals and birds, collapsing local wildlife populations. Mike describes how hard they are to find and why removing them is critical to protecting the ecosystem.
Mike explains that iguanas are as damaging as pythons in a different way. They chase down and attack native animals, destroy landscaping, and burrow into and undermine levees and infrastructure, like the damage seen in places such as Davie. Many people still see them as harmless pets, which makes the problem worse.
Mike makes the point that just because an invasive species is not a major problem today does not mean it will not become Florida's biggest problem in five years. Early, consistent management of species like pythons, iguanas, and Nile monitors is essential to protect native wildlife before populations explode.
Tom Rowland Podcast Episode 372 with Mike Kimmel is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and iHeartRadio. The video version is embedded at the top of this page.
The invasive species problem in Florida is something I care a lot about, and Mike is right in the middle of fighting it every day. As the Python Cowboy he is out there doing the hard, unglamorous work of protecting native wildlife. I wanted him to explain what he actually sees on the ground, why it matters so much, and how regular people should think about it. Press play in the YouTube player at the top of this page.
Mike is contracted by the state to remove pythons, and he describes just how hard they are to find, how he searches for them, and what makes this work so different from anything else. He has stepped over pythons he never saw. Listen to that section in the player above.
Most people see an iguana and think pet. Mike sees an invasive species that attacks native animals and undermines levees and infrastructure. He breaks down why iguanas have become such a destructive problem across South Florida and why the public underestimates them. If you live in Florida, this is the part to hear.
Pythons and iguanas get the headlines, but Mike deals with a whole roster of invasives, from Nile monitors to Egyptian geese. He explains how today's small problem can become tomorrow's crisis, and why early management is everything. Press play in the YouTube player above.
Mike is passionate about education. He explains why targeting invasives is about protecting the whole ecosystem, not just one property, and what individuals should understand about the threat. Listen to how he frames it in the episode.
Listen to the full conversation: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · or watch in the YouTube player at the top of this page.
What strikes me about Mike is how seriously he takes the mission. This is not about trophies, it is about protecting native Florida wildlife from threats that most people never think about.
If you care about conservation, the Everglades, or just want to understand the invasive species fight from someone on the front lines, this conversation is worth your time.
Press play in the player above, or grab Episode 372 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
The Tom Rowland Podcast brings you long-form conversations with the most accomplished anglers, hunters, conservationists, and outdoor professionals in the game. Listen to every full-length Tom Rowland Podcast interview.
Mike Kimmel · The Python Cowboy · Everglades · Burmese python · iguanas · Nile monitors · Egyptian geese · Davie, Florida · Florida invasive species
Mike Kimmel, known as the Python Cowboy, is a state-contracted python hunter and invasive species removal specialist working in the Florida Everglades and across South Florida. In addition to pythons, he targets iguanas, Nile monitors, Egyptian geese, and other invasive species, and is an outspoken advocate for protecting native wildlife through aggressive, early invasive species management.
Subscribe to get the latest episodes, show notes, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.