Florida is sending people in the Everglades to hunt for giant snakes — and it could net one person $10,000 - The invasive species is one of the largest snakes in the world

On July 10, hundreds of professional and amateur snake hunters entered the annual Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day race to remove as many of the invasive animals as possible from the Everglades. The person who bags the most snakes will earn a $10,

Ahead of the Florida Python Challenge in July 2026, see what the bite of the snakes' powerful jaws looks like.

Burmese pythons have haunted the Florida Everglades for more than two decades, growing from a handful of escaped or released pets into a breeding population that wildlife agencies now count among the most damaging invasive species in North America.

Burmese pythons are recognizable by more than their size. Hunters should be on the lookout for a telltale, arrow-shaped marking on the snake’s head, along with giraffe-like spots across its body and dark spots around its eyes. During the summer months, they’re most likely to be found sunning on levee banks or near trees.