VIRGINIA BEACH -- Their natural habitat is much closer to the equator, but some worry 20-foot pythons could slither their way into our area.

The super-sized snakes have been spotted in Florida, and climate researchers say due to global warming, Burmese Pythons could easily move up the east coast and into Virginia.

Some experts attribute the problem to pet owners who illegally release the giant constrictors into the wild. Now, the climate seems to be growing more hospitable to the reptiles.

You can buy exotic snakes at Animal Jungle in Virginia Beach. Shane Coughlin told us male Albino Burmese Pythons can grow up to 14 feet, while females get close to 20.

In a map of the United States, green highlights where a U.S. Geological survey reported snakes and pythons can survive given the right food sources. Hampton Roads is in that green area.

However, state and local wildlife experts say it’s not a problem here just yet.

“As far as these large snakes, I mean, we’d be more likely to have alligators in the waterways before we have large boas and pythons living out here,” said Brian Fiske of Zoo Pro Wildlive Removal.

While waterways, ditches, wooded areas and such would be appealing to the snakes in the summertime, unless they meander into the warmth of a home for the winter experts say it's not likely these snakes could survive "in the wild" here in Hampton Roads.

Wildlife officials tell us they are evaluating the potential threat and stress that releasing exotic, non-native animals like the Burmese Python into the wild is illegal.