Behold! Some of the biggest Burmese pythons caught during Florida Python Challenge

Laura Lordi and Greg Lovett, Palm Beach Post
·2 min read
22

The Florida Python Challenge will take place Aug. 9 to18. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible.

Burmese Pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters annually to catch the snakes. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. State-approved hunters can win up to $25,000 this year.

In last year's hunt, 209 snakes were caught during the Florida Python Challenge. The prize was $10,000.

A 2012 study suggested that in Everglades National Park, pythons were responsible for a decline of 85% to 100% of the population of medium-sized animals such as raccoons and rabbits.

Prizes will be awarded for the longest or most snakes caught. To register for the Florida Python Challenge, go to FLPythonChallenge.org.

Here are some of the biggest Burmese pythons caught in the Florida Python Challenge annual Everglades hunt

The FWC holds an annual Python Challenge. This photo was taken during the 2020 challenge. The challenge is a 10-day event that awards money and prizes to competitors who catch and kill the most Burmese pythons. This year's challenge is Aug. 9-18.
The FWC holds an annual Python Challenge. This photo was taken during the 2020 challenge. The challenge is a 10-day event that awards money and prizes to competitors who catch and kill the most Burmese pythons. This year's challenge is Aug. 9-18.
Jim Turner, of Bradenton, and Dusty Crum try to control two Burmese Pythons they found next to each other on a canal bank, while hunting partner ,Bill Booth, of Myakka City, records them on his video camera at the 2013 Python Challenge in South Florida.
Jim Turner, of Bradenton, and Dusty Crum try to control two Burmese Pythons they found next to each other on a canal bank, while hunting partner ,Bill Booth, of Myakka City, records them on his video camera at the 2013 Python Challenge in South Florida.

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that happens in August. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on August 9 and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons.

Can you use a gun to kill a python in the Florida Python Challenge?

Participants are not allowed to use firearms to kill pythons during the Florida Python Challenge because there's no established firearm season at the competition locations during the timeframe. Novices must humanely kill their captured pythons immediately after catching them. You can use air guns and captive bolts to kill pythons at any time of day or night.

Read more on the rules: Can you use a gun to kill a python in the Florida Python Challenge? Here's the rules

Laura Lordi is Digital Editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at llordi@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Python Challenge: Biggest Burmese snakes caught in Everglades