The 2026 Florida Python Challenge will officially start on July 10 and run until July 19. The event, jointly organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, aims to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
Prizes and Participation
This year’s prize pool totals $25,000, with the grand prize of $10,000 going to the individual who captures the most pythons. Competitors can also win cash for bringing in the highest number of snakes or the longest single catch within three distinct tracking classes: novice, professional, and military.
Those looking to sign up can register through the final day of the contest at FLPythonChallenge.org. To participate, everyone must complete an online training module beforehand. The competition website also provides information on python biology, tips on navigating the Everglades ecosystem, and travel resources for people heading to South Florida.
Impact of Pythons in Florida
These snakes are a major problem for Florida because they eat native birds, mammals, and other reptiles. They also reproduce incredibly fast, with a single female capable of laying anywhere from 50 to more than 100 eggs at a time. While the July challenge draws the biggest crowds, python removal is actually a year-round effort.
The state allows people to hunt pythons across 32 FWC-managed properties at any time. On private land, the FWC encourages people to humanely kill the snakes whenever possible—no special permits or hunting licenses are required, as long as you have the landowner’s permission.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
