Participants will compete July 10-19 to help remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades and raise awareness about invasive species.<\/p>\n
Published Jun 25, 2026 10:43 AM EDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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Updated Jun 25, 2026 10:43 AM EDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\tThe Florida Python Challenge was started in 2013. From Aug. 5 through Aug. 14, the person who brings back the most Burmese pythons wins a cash prize.\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\tFlorida<\/a>\u00a0residents\u00a0and snake hunters\u00a0are\u00a0gearing up\u00a0for the\u00a02026\u00a0Florida\u00a0Python Challenge\u2122,\u00a0which will take place from July 10-19.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe event\u00a0is a removal competition aimed at raising\u00a0public awareness about invasive species, such as Burmese\u00a0pythons, according to the\u00a0National Park Service (NPS)<\/a>. The challenge is hosted by\u00a0the\u00a0Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)\u00a0and the South Florida Water Management District, with support from\u00a0the\u00a0Everglades National Park.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tFlorida Python Challenge Media Day 2026, May 19, 2026. (Image credit: MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife)\n<\/p>\n FWC<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cProtecting Everglades National Park, one of the world\u2019s most globally significant ecosystems, requires ongoing partnerships and community stewardship,\u201d\u00a0Superintendent\u00a0Pedro Ramos of Everglades National Park\u00a0said\u00a0in a NPS news release.\u00a0\u201cBy engaging the public in science-based invasive\u00a0species management, we are able to raise awareness and strengthen support for conservation across South Florida.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn addition to\u00a0helping protect the Everglades ecosystem, participants have the chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes for removing the pythons, according to the\u00a0FWC<\/a>.\u00a0The\u00a0participant\u00a0who removes the most pythons will win $10,000.\u00a0Registration is\u00a0required, which includes a\u00a0required\u00a0online\u00a0training<\/a>\u00a0that covers how to humanely kill the snakes.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tIn 2025, Taylor Stanberry took home the top prize after removing 60 Burmese pythons. Stanberry, also known as the “Swamp Queen<\/a>,” accounted for over 20% of all the snakes removed during the 10-day event.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThis is not about trophy hunting or just killing pythons\u2026 I actually want to save the native wildlife,” Stanberry said.\n<\/p>\n \n\tBurmese python closeup, December 12, 2006. (Image credit: MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife\/Kevin Enge)\n<\/p>\n FWC<\/p>\n \n\tOther organizations have\u00a0also\u00a0been working to\u00a0eradicate\u00a0this invasive species.\u00a0From November 2025 to April 2026, researchers from the\u00a0Conservancy of Southwest Florida,<\/a>\u00a0a nonprofit environmental\u00a0organization,\u00a0set a record this year, removing\u00a0177 pythons with a combined weight of\u00a08,080 pounds.\u00a0Scientists\u00a0monitor\u00a0the snakes in a 200-square-mile area in\u00a0Collier County<\/a>,\u00a0located on the southwestern coast of Florida.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the Conservancy, the average weight of removed female pythons was 95 pounds, with the largest weighing 153 pounds\u00a0and measuring 17 feet long.\u00a0By capturing the snakes,\u00a0team members\u00a0also\u00a0removed\u00a0about\u00a04,100 eggs before they could be laid.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cEvery python removed reduces pressure on the ecosystem,\u201d Rob Moher,\u00a0Conservancy\u00a0President and\u00a0CEO said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n \n\tEverglades Wildlife Management Area sign from Florida Python Challenge Media Day 2026, May 19, 2026. (Image credit: MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife)\n<\/p>\n FWC<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the NPS, Burmese pythons\u00a0negatively\u00a0impact\u00a0the vulnerable Everglades ecosystem by competing for habitat and food across the South Florida wetlands.\u00a0Females can lay 50 to over 100\u00a0eggs, per the FWC.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n