Hunters Set to Round Up Giant Burmese Pythons in Florida Challenge

Jeff Fobb holds a Burmese python as he speaks to the media at the start of the Python Challenge in 2013 in Davie, Florida.
Jeff Fobb holds a Burmese python as he speaks to the media at the start of the Python Challenge in 2013 in Davie, Florida. (Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The state of Florida is preparing to host the Super Bowl in January … and to wipe out as many invasive pythons as possible. 

On Dec. 5, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the date for Python Bowl 2020. The annual Python Challenge recruits hunters in Florida and trains them to spot, capture and remove or humanely kill the big snakes. The python hunter who removes the most pythons will win an ATV; the person who captures the largest individual snake will be awarded $2,000. 

"The protection of our environment and natural resources is critical," DeSantis said in a statement. "Invasive Burmese pythons have decimated local wildlife and pose a massive threat to natural food chains and flora and fauna."

Related: In Photos: Hungry Python Eats Porcupine Whole

Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) have become a persistent problem in the Florida Everglades. Probably released accidentally by pet owners, these snakes have gotten a foothold in Florida's marshy ecosystem, breeding rapidly. They eat native mammals, chow down on bird eggs and even sometimes tangle with American alligators. According to the Florida state government, pro and rookie python wranglers have removed 9,305 pythons from the ecosystem as of November 2019. But female pythons can lay as many as 100 eggs at a time, making elimination of the invasion a challenge. 

When just hatchlings, these Burmese pythons are teensy.

When just hatchlings, these Burmese pythons are teensy. (Image credit: Heiko Kiera/Shutterstock)

The Python Challenge: Python Bowl 2020 is set to begin on Jan. 10 and continue until Jan. 19, ahead of Miami hosting Super Bowl LIV. Those who register must complete an online or in-person training on how to safely capture pythons. Seven parcels covering 1.5 million acres of public lands in southern Florida will be open for the competition.

A "pro" category of the competition is open to those who make a living hunting pythons. A "rookie" category encompasses everyone else. Pythons are typically not a threat to humans, but Florida's invasive snakes can grow to gargantuan proportions: A Miami man killed an 18 foot, 8 inch-long (5.6 meters) python in 2013. Most pythons captured are in the range of 6 to 7 feet (2.1 m). 

Recently, researchers have discovered that some of the Burmese pythons found in Florida are hybrids, containing some DNA from Indian pythons (Python molurus). This interbreeding, which probably took place in pythons while they were in the pet trade, might make the snakes particularly hardy to different climate and environmental conditions.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Stephanie Pappas
Live Science Contributor

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

  • Lucille
    Good. The hunters should kill each and every snake they find, not just Burmese pythons.
    Reply
  • sarajo
    & kill gigantic poisonous spiders too
    Reply
  • GeoXXX
    Leave the undocumented snakes alone, uncontrolled immigration is good!
    Reply
  • sarajo
    nah they should all be killed be it humanely or inhumanely . One of my American facebook friends told me one day she woke up to find a snake curled up in her bathroom & it scared her
    Reply
  • knowledge
    Snakes are necessary and truly amazing. Animal haters are ignorant, educate yourselves.
    Reply
  • Racer2000
    knowledge said:
    Snakes are necessary and truly amazing. Animal haters are ignorant, educate yourselves.
    The educated know that these Python are not a native species to Florida and they are reeking havoc with the eco system down there. They never should have been aloud to be brought into the country to begin with.
    Reply
  • Racer2000
    This article is somewhat right that they came from the pet industry, but not from owners releasing them. It has been confirmed that these Python came from a breeder who had many of these snakes and they were released when the facility was torn apart during hurricane Katrina.
    Reply
  • knowledge
    I am not saying they should not be dealt with. I am against destroying these creatures who should NEVER have been brought here in the first place. When is this industry going to be stopped. Where is PETA?
    Reply
  • Racer2000
    PETA won't get involved when what is being hunted is a danger to people and all other life in the area. Trying to capture and relocate just isn't feasible. Each female can produce 100 eggs each mating season. They also have no natural predators, they have been known to take on and eat a gator. These snakes should never have been allowed into the country. They, as well as other animals that shouldn't be brought here, are still allowed. So never mind PETA, when is the elected government going to stop allowing such animals to be brought in and kept as pets.
    Reply
  • knowledge
    You are quite right. I feel very sad these poor creatures have been brought to North America for pets. How cruel.
    Reply