Those who want to help remove invasive Burmese Python snakes from the Everglades and compete for thousands of dollars in prizes may register for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge®. Slated to take place Aug. 5 through 14, both professionals and novices are eligible to take part in the event.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively affect the Everglades ecosystem where they prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles. A single female may lay between 50 and 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 16,000 pythons have been removed from the Everglades.
“The Florida Everglades is an iconic habitat in Florida and removing Burmese pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that live in this vast wild area,” said Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
During the 2021 Florida Python Challenge®, 223 invasive Burmese pythons were removed from the Everglades, more than double the number that was removed in 2020. Over 600 people from 25 states registered to take part in the 10-day competition last year.
To register for the 2022 event, to take online training, or sign-up for optional in-person training, visit FLPythonChallenge.org.
