Hundreds of python hunters are currently exploring the Everglades ecosystem in southern Florida for the state’s annual Python Challenge.
Last year, 934 hunters participated in the 10-day event and removed 294 pythons. Python hunters came from 30 different states, as well as Canada, competing for the chance to catch the most snakes and the largest snakes – and get some serious prize money. Last year’s grand prize winner was Taylor Stansberry, who won $10,000 for catching the most pythons. They collected 60 invasive snakes and set a record for the event.
This year, $25,000 is offered to python hunters in various event categories. More than just removing snakes, this challenge also serves a few key goals. It increases public awareness about invasive snakes in the Everglades ecosystem, and it teaches more people how to identify and remove snakes.
“Each Burmese python removed from our iconic Florida Everglades means one less aggressive snake negatively impacting our native wildlife,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. said in a statement.
This year, participants will be able to look for snakes within the boundaries of Everglades National Park; There are a total of eight locations where competitors can look for aggressive snakes. View photos of past Python challenges here:
Connected: Watch the capture of the longest python ever recorded by snake hunters in Florida
Photo by Avery Bristol/FWC
Read further: Scientists photograph giant python swallowing a full-sized whitetail in first discovery of its kind
