Hundreds of python hunters head to Florida Everglades for annual challenge
Competitors can win a share of $25,000 as officials seek to curb invasive Burmese pythons and protect native wildlife.
- On Friday, July 10, 2026, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District launched the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day event offering over $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida.
- Invasive Burmese pythons have caused a 95 percent decrease in mammal observations in the Everglades, preying on native birds, mammals, and reptiles while threatening local biodiversity throughout the region.
- More than 934 participants from 30 states and Canada registered for the contest, which requires hunters to humanely kill snakes and submit carcasses to Check Stations within 24 hours to compete for the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize.
- Submitted Python carcasses verify humane killing protocols and provide morphometric data, including length, for research on the species' biology and diet, helping scientists understand population dynamics after the event concludes.
- While the challenge targets the Everglades, officials report Burmese pythons are expanding toward Charlotte County; since 2000, more than 27,000 pythons have been removed from Florida's environment, with year-round hunting permitted on private lands.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Florida crews find two 17-foot Burmese pythons together, likely preying on white-tailed deer
Wildlife crews in the Florida Everglades recently came across two unusually large invasive snakes, each measuring 17 feet. What happened? A recent video shared by TheCritterCult (@TheCritterCult) on YouTube said the Everglades capture involved two giant Burmese pythons. Removal teams consider snakes of that scale "high-priority" because mature, breeding-capable adults like these can do especially serious harm to native wildlife. The creator wrot…
Snake hunters gather in Florida to kill invasive pythons for $25,000 in prizes
The 10-day competition aims to remove as many predators as possible from the Everglades. The post Snake hunters gather in Florida to kill invasive pythons for $25,000 in prizes appeared first on Popular Science.
Florida Python Challenge returns with $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive snakes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The annual Florida Python Challenge begins Friday, offering participants a chance to compete for $25,000 in prizes while helping remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. The annual event runs from 12:01 a.m. July 10 through 5 p.m. July 19. Registration is open to participants interested in helping remove Burmese pythons from… The post Florida Python Challenge returns with $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive sn…
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