Registration Open for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ 

Are you looking to help raise awareness about nonnative species and remove invasive Burmese pythons from our treasured Everglades ecosystem, all while getting the chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes? Register for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™!    

The event, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. An exciting addition to this year’s event is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge™ competition locations.  

Registration is open for this year’s 10-day competition, which kicks off on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 AM and runs until Sunday, July 20 at 5:00 PM. Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register for the competition, take the required online training, view the optional training opportunities, learn more about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning your trip to South Florida to participate in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™.  

“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.  

Last year, participants in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,112 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all Florida Python Challenge™ competitions to date. In 2024, 857 people from 33 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.   

In addition to python removal opportunities on 32 FWC-managed lands that are available year-round, Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission – no permit or hunting license required. The FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill invasive pythons from private lands whenever possible.