Get ready, snake hunters: The Florida Python Challenge is back in just a few weeks.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re new to Florida, you might wonder why the Sunshine State has a special period every year promoting python hunting, complete with prizes totaling $25,000.<\/p>\n
Well, Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and don\u2019t really have natural predators here.<\/p>\n
Found mostly in and around the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, the pythons gobble up birds, mammals and other reptiles, and have a big negative impact on our native wildlife.<\/p>\n
And boy, can they breed! A female Burmese python can lay 50 to over 100 eggs at a time, so it\u2019s hard to keep up with the population.<\/p>\n
FILE – A Burmese python is held during a safe capture demonstration on June 16, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo\/Lynne Sladky, File) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
In fact, since 2000, more than 27,000 Burmese pythons have been reported to the FWC as removed from Florida\u2019s environment. And those are just the ones that have been caught!<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why, starting at 12:01 a.m. on July 10, participants registered in the 2026 Florida Python Challenge\u2122 will have the chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. <\/p>\n
This year\u2019s competition runs until Sunday, July 19, at 5 p.m., and registration is open until the last day of the Challenge.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. <\/p>\n
Florida Python Challenge (Florida Python Challenge)<\/p>\n
Competitors also have an opportunity to win additional cash prizes for the most and longest pythons removed in three categories: novice, professional and military. <\/p>\n
A highlight of this year\u2019s event is the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.<\/p>\n
Intrigued but not yet registered? Visit FLPythonChallenge.org<\/a> to register and complete the required online training. You will also find educational information about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, additional training opportunities and helpful resources for planning your trip to South Florida for the event.<\/p>\n Last year, participants in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge\u2122 removed a competition record of 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,406 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all Florida Python Challenge competitions to date. In 2025, 934 people from 30 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.<\/p>\n Python closeup (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n Want to get involved in the removal of invasive species at any time of the year?<\/p>\n