The countdown is on! The 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ kicks off on July 11th and it’s more than just a competition. It’s a rallying cry for public awareness and action. Over 10 days, python hunters from across the country will descend on south Florida’s wetlands to help protect one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet: the Everglades.
This event is a conservation effort with serious impact. Just last year, 857 registered participants removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. The Challenge doesn’t just reward the most skilled hunters. It educates the public about the growing threat these snakes pose to Florida’s native wildlife.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and their presence has devastated populations of native species. These apex predators feast on raccoons, wading birds, and even endangered mammals like the Key Largo woodrat. With no natural predators and a rapid reproduction rate, their spread has been relentless. Since the early 2000s, more than 22,000 pythons have been removed, but thousands more remain.
The Florida Python Challenge™, led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, would not be possible without its partners, including our Foundation. We’re proud to stand alongside sponsors like the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Inversa Leathers, Rotary Clubs of Florida, and others to support this critical initiative.
To all 2025 competitors: best of luck, stay safe, and thank you for being part of the solution. Every python removed is a win for Florida’s native wildlife. If you want to do your part, you can donate to our Combatting Invasive Species fund or report invasive species sightings to the FWC at 888-IVE-GOT1 or IveGot1.org.
Let’s keep fighting for Florida’s wild future, one python at a time.
