Today is the first day of the Florida Python Challenge, where snake hunters will venture into the Everglades to track down invasive Burmese pythons, with a chance to win up to $25,000 in prize money. The annual 10-day challenge From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In 2000, the Burmese python First seen in Everglades National Park. According to the U.S. Geological Survey According to the USGS, they were released either intentionally or accidentally by people who kept them as pets.
Since then, the giant reptiles have quickly become one of the most destructive invasive species in the park’s history. Their population has continued to grow, and they now cover most of South Florida. They can grow to over 18 feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds.Female Burmese pythons They lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time.It thrives in the humid tropical to subtropical climate of the Everglades.
[Related: Scientists propose eating more python.]
Because they feed on a wide range of animals, they have significantly altered the food web and ecosystems throughout the Greater Everglades. USGS Review for 2023They found that snakes contributed to declines in possums, bobcats, foxes, cottontail rabbits and raccoons. If snakes become widespread, they are unlikely to be eradicated. Very low.
“The iconic Everglades is a national treasure, and the Florida Python Challenge is a great way to engage the public in understanding the unique Everglades ecosystem. Removing invasive pythons from the entire Greater Everglades ecosystem is important, and we must do all we can to combat this invasive species,” said “Alligator Ron” Bergeron, South Florida Water Management District Board Member. It said in a statement.
hunting It starts today and ends on Sunday, August 18th at 5pm local time.The goal is Kill Humanely Capture as many Burmese pythons as possible. Although the species is not protected in Florida, animal cruelty laws still apply in this situation. No firearms are allowed at the Challenge. The Florida Python Challenge outlines an approved two-step procedure for killing snakes, which includes the use of a capture bolt and making sure the snake is unconscious during the procedure.
What are the challenges for 2023? 209 PythonsOver the next 10 days, hunters will use designated areas stretching from western Broward County to the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. Other spots include Southern Glades, Holly Land and Lautenberger. There will be both in-person and online training on how to identify these snakes.
The top prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the individual who catches the most pythons. There are three general divisions: Novice, Professional and Military. The individual who catches the most pythons in each division will be awarded $2,500, and the runner-up will be awarded $1,500. The individual who catches the longest python will be awarded $1,000.
The South Florida Water Board and the state have begun hiring contractors to address the issue throughout the year. 2017Since then, more than 11,000 pythons have been removed, with 2,200 removed in 2023 alone. The heaviest python captured by commercial operators was It weighed 215 pounds and was nearly 18 feet long.It was captured in 2022 by biologists from the Southwest Florida Conservation Association.
[Related: Why are there so many snakes?]
He is a former state government contractor. Amy Seive, the self-proclaimed “Python Huntress” She won the 2023 Longest Python Award. She caught a snake that was 10 feet, 9 inches long. She is not participating this year due to knee surgery. She said Associated Press She is not a fan of the annual challenge because it starts to attract large crowds that could scare off the pythons and because hunters could mistake native snakes such as cottonmouths, corn snakes and brown water snakes for pythons and kill them.
“The high traffic volume has meant the pythons are not following their normal movement patterns, coming to the surface and then returning to the marsh again.” Siwe said. AP“I personally feel that it’s counterproductive.”
