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By Beth Stibal |

2021 “Python Challenge” starts today

Lt Governor Python Hunting
This Monday, May 15, 2017, photo provided by the South Florida Water Management District shows Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera with a 15-foot-4 inch python caught in the Everglades in Florida. Cantera went python hunting with the district hunters. (Bobby Hill/South Florida Water Management District via AP)

Florida’s Python Challenge starts today as registered hunters are combing the Everglades for Burmese Pythons with a chance to win $10-thousand. Governor DeSantis says he’s dedicated more resources to fighting the invasive species.

DeSantis announced the competition called “The Python Challenge” in June to thin out the population of killer Burmese Python in parks, habitats and other natural ecosystems.
The “Python Challenge,” will offer cash rewards and prizes for those who capture or kill the most pythons and for the longest snake.


Florida environmental officials say the python is an invasive species, and often dominates an ecosystem unless an alligator or a human kills it.

The Python Challenge will be a 10-day challenge from July 9th to July 18th and registration begins today, June 3rd.
Register here.