19-foot Burmese python, longest ever recorded, caught by group of friends: VIDEO

FLORIDA (WLS) -- A 19-foot Burmese python, the longest ever recorded, was caught by a group of friends in South Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve this week.

But, it wasn't easy. The net didn't work, so they had to change up their technique.

"I originally walked up to it, thinking I could just come behind it, and grab its head, like a normal grab. But then, the snake went absolutely crazy," said Jake Waleri. "It was trying to wrap me up, trying to strangle me. And my friends, luckily were able to pull it off. And you know, we were able to capture this thing safely."

The 19-foot python is now at the Southwest Florida Conservancy where researchers are running some tests to learn more about the snake. Waleri said he killed the snake before bringing it there.