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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission announced the start date of the 2025 Python Challenge Thursday in Homestead.
FWC officials say there are tens of thousands of Burmese pythons infesting the Florida Everglades causing serious harm to the south Florida ecosystem.
The state began the Florida Python Challenge in 2013 to combat the snakes.
While the Python Challenge only removes a couple hundred snakes per year, the FWC says more than 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017.
Rules for the Python Challege include:
- Python carcasses must be kept chilled or frozen, then turned into the nearest Florida Python Challenge check station within 24 hours of capture.
- Participants must carry a printed or digital copy of their Florida Python Challenge registration notification email while hunting.
- Participants must complete required online training and receive a unique completion code.
- Only Burmese pythons removed from competition locations are valid entries.
- The use of firearms is prohibited during the competition.
- The use of dogs or other animals to search, capture, or kill is prohibited.
- Air guns and captive bolts are allowed.
The ten-day python removal competition begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 11,2025 and ends at 5 p.m. on July 20, 2025. Register here.