Florida Pays Hunters to Remove Invasive Pythons
Hunters must register and train before competing for cash prizes as officials seek to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
- On Friday, July 10, the 2026 Florida Python Challenge began in the Florida Everglades, a 10-day event aimed at reducing the invasive Burmese python population.
- Native to Southeast Asia, these invasive snakes were introduced via the pet trade in the 1970s and have caused a 95% drop in mammal observations in Everglades National Park.
- Competitors can vie for $25,000 in total prizes, including a $10,000 "Ultimate Grand Prize," with registration costing $25 per individual and mandatory online training required.
- Wildlife officials emphasize safety; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission interagency python management coordinator Kodiak Hengstebeck warned that "Burmese pythons are large, powerful snakes and can be dangerous," and participants must submit carcasses within 24 hours.
- Beyond their longstanding South Florida range, officials worry the snakes are moving into Charlotte County; because one female can produce over 100 eggs, controlling the population remains a difficult, long-term challenge.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Florida keeps registration open for a competition that delivers up to $10,000 for capturing Burmese pythons in the Everglades
Florida's python-hunting 'Super Bowl' begins Friday, with $25,000 up for grabs
Florida's biggest annual python hunt starts Friday, July 10, drawing hundreds of people into the Everglades and surrounding public lands to target one of Florida's most damaging invasive animals. Competitors can claim bragging rights and compete for $25,000 in awards, but officials have told the Naples Daily News that the larger goal is to help defend the Everglades, one of the nation's most important wetland ecosystems. What's happening? Beginn…
For one week, one of Florida's most exotic competitions takes place: the Everglades Python Hunt, an event that offers a substantial prize in dollars and attracts a growing number of participants each year…
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