The 2026 Florida Python Problem will start on Friday, July 10, giving contributors 10 days to take away invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades whereas competing for $25,000 in prizes.
The annual python removing competitors begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 10 and ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 19. The occasion is hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee and the South Florida Water Administration District.
This 12 months’s problem consists of an Final Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes essentially the most pythons. Rivals may also win more money prizes for essentially the most and longest pythons eliminated in three classes: novice, skilled and army.
A spotlight of this 12 months’s occasion is the return of Everglades Nationwide Park as a accomplice and certainly one of eight official Florida Python Problem competitors places.
FWC officers mentioned the competitors is designed to boost consciousness about invasive species whereas serving to shield the Everglades ecosystem and the native wildlife that dwell there.
The Everglades is dwelling to a wide range of uncommon and distinctive wildlife, together with native birds, mammals, fish and reptiles. Nevertheless, nonnative reptiles such because the Burmese python pose a big risk to native species.
Burmese pythons are discovered primarily in and across the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, the place they prey on birds, mammals and different reptiles. Feminine Burmese pythons can lay 50 to greater than 100 eggs at a time.
Final 12 months, contributors within the 2025 Florida Python Problem eliminated a competition-record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. For the reason that problem started, contributors have eliminated a complete of 1,406 pythons via the competitors.
The 2025 occasion drew 934 registered contributors from 30 states and Canada.
Since 2000, greater than 27,000 Burmese pythons have been reported to the FWC as faraway from Florida’s atmosphere.
Folks concerned about participating within the 2026 Florida Python Problem should full the required on-line coaching at FLPythonChallenge.org. The web site additionally consists of instructional details about Burmese pythons, the Everglades ecosystem, extra coaching alternatives and assets for planning a visit to South Florida for the occasion.
FWC officers mentioned Floridians may also assist take away invasive pythons all year long. Burmese pythons could also be humanely killed on personal land at any time with landowner permission, and no allow or looking license is required. 12 months-round python removing alternatives are additionally accessible on 32 Fee-managed lands.
Extra details about Burmese pythons is offered at MyFWC.com/Python.
