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Python Hunt: $25K Prizes for Everglades Invaders
2 Jun
Summary
- The 2026 Florida Python Challenge offers $25,000 in prizes.
- Competitors aim to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
- The largest python ever caught measured 19 feet long.
The annual Florida Python Challenge is set to take place from July 10 to July 19, 2026. This event invites both novice and professional hunters to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the fragile Everglades ecosystem. A total of $25,000 in prize money will be awarded to successful participants, with a top prize of $10,000 for the individual who removes the most pythons.
Burmese pythons are considered the most destructive invasive animal in the park's history, severely impacting native wildlife, particularly small mammals. These snakes can grow to over 18 feet long and weigh more than 200 pounds, making them a formidable challenge to control. The competition emphasizes humane killing of captured snakes, adhering to anti-cruelty laws.
Past challenges have seen impressive catches, including a record-breaking 19-foot python captured in July 2023. Other notable captures include an 18-foot, 9-inch python in 2020 and a 215-pound female snake in 2022. These records underscore the immense size and weight these invasive reptiles can achieve.
