Registration is now open for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, an event aimed at raising awareness about nonnative species and removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. Participants have a chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes. The competition, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, includes an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the participant who removes the most pythons.
This year’s event introduces Everglades National Park as one of eight official competition locations. Registration opened today for the 10-day event, which begins on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m. and concludes on Sunday, July 20 at 5 p.m. Interested participants can register at FLPythonChallenge.org where they can also complete required online training and access resources about Burmese pythons and the Everglades ecosystem.
“Every Burmese python removed from our iconic Florida Everglades means one less invasive snake negatively impacting our native wildlife,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. He emphasized that this annual event helps raise global awareness about invasive species while involving the public in their removal efforts.
South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron stated, “The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades.” He highlighted ongoing restoration efforts supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and stressed that removing pythons is crucial for preserving native wildlife.
Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, expressed excitement about joining state partners for this year’s challenge. “For years, we’ve worked alongside [our partners] to manage pythons… This event marks another milestone in that collaboration,” he said.
Prizes will be awarded across professional, novice, and military categories thanks to sponsors like Inversa and Rotary Clubs of Florida who contributed $10,000 each. Gold Level Sponsors such as Bergeron Everglades Foundation donated $5,000 each to support conservation through this initiative.
In last year’s challenge, participants removed 195 Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Since its inception, over 1,112 nonnative constrictors have been removed during these competitions. The FWC encourages humane removal of these snakes from private lands with landowner permission without requiring permits or hunting licenses.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida but significantly impact local wildlife in areas like the Everglades by preying on birds and mammals. For more information on these invasive reptiles visit MyFWC.com/python.
