Burmese Pythons are slithering all over the Everglades, but beginning on Friday, Aug. 9, adventurous Floridians can start removing them from the Florida Everglades.
The 2024 Python Challenge, now in its 11th year, is part of an effort to remove invasive Burmese pythons from Florida’s ecosystem and will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 and will run through Saturday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Burmese pythons are a threat to native wildlife. They are predominantly found in Asia, and are also found in parts of eastern India through Vietnam and southern China.
During the challenge, the Burmese pythons must be removed and killed from participating areas to be considered as valid entries in the competition.
In 2023, nearly 200 pythons were removed from the Everglades, with almost 1,050 people participating.
Paul Hobbs, of Tennessee, removed 20 Burmese pythons last year, bringing home the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize, courtesy of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation.
Participants can register in three categories, novice, military or professional. Prizes range from $1,000-$2,500 with the ultimate grand prize for most pythons removed as part of the competition at $10,000.
For more information about this year’s python challenge and how you can register, click here.