Authorities in central Florida say a toddler has apparently been strangled by a python.

Lt. Steve Binegar of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office says a 2-year-old girl was apparently strangled by a python in the town Oxford on Wednesday. He abruptly hung up without answering further questions. Oxford is about 50 miles northwest of Orlando.

Pythons can kill by wrapping themselves around humans.

Telephone calls to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission were not immediately returned.