Florida is sending people in the Everglades to hunt for giant snakes — and it could net one person $10,000 - The invasive species is one of the largest snakes in the world

Burmese pythons are recognizable by more than their size. Hunters should be on the lookout for a telltale, arrow-shaped marking on the snake’s head, along with giraffe-like spots across its body and dark spots around its eyes. During the summer months, they’re most likely to be found sunning on levee banks or near trees.

The dates for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge – the annual 10-day hunt for invasive Burmese pythons – were announced today, May 19, with registration now open. The 2026 python hunt will run from July 10, 2026, to July 19, 2026. The hunt helps ...

"There were a lot of little baby snakes just getting out of the nest."

A Burmese python population has emerged in Southwest Florida, raising fresh concerns about the invasive predator's spread.

Florida hosts an annual Python Challenge, offering a $10,000 prize to the participant who removes the most invasive pythons. The 2025 challenge winner, Taylor Stanberry, was the first woman to win and captured 60 pythons in 10 days. Researchers have used ...