Florida has a snake problem. Specifically, a Burmese python issue. The non-native snake has been a nuisance to South Florida’s ecology since the 1990’s and the state has worked on multiple solutions to the issue.
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But what has become one of the more successful plans has been the annual Florida Python Challenge. Every year, the state-run program in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commisssion (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District invites professionals and novices alike to participate in removing as many of the invasive snakes as possible in the Florida Everglades.
This year, the program saw the removal of 280 Burmese pythons during the competition window from July 10th-19th, according to a press release.
Prizes include categories for the pros and the novices for collecting the most pythons as well as the longest. This year’s Ultimate Grand Prize for removing the most pythons of $10,000 was awarded to Tom Rahill who removed a total of 96 of the snakes. Rahm Levinson earned $1,000 for taking in the Longest Python Prize for bringing in one python at 16 feet and 5 inches long.
Female Burmese pythons are able to lay anywhere between 50 and 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, over 28,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida’s environment according to the FWC.
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