Hundreds Join Hunt For Pythons Wreaking Havock In The Everglades

Everyone needs a New Year’s resolution. You know, lose five pounds, exercise more, rid your state of giant, nonnative snakes.

Liz Barraco via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

With all of the lightning, hurricanes, sharks and alligators, you could say they're probably the last thing Florida needs. That's also how the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission feels about the invasive Burmese Python. They're so eager to control the population that they've brought back the Python Challenge, asking for anyone and everyone who thinks they can help to sign up and join a month-long competition hunting these snakes in the Everglades.

Kevin Enge via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

Pythons have been spotted in the area since the '80s, but our not-so-little snake problem escalated when Hurricane Andrew destroyed a breeding facility for the snakes back in 1992, allowing many to escape. (That sounds like the premise for a possible Sharknado sequel--Pythonicane, anyone?) The FWC speculates released pet pythons contributed to the problem as well.  

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Carli Segelson via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

The nonvenomous snakes are constrictors, meaning they get ahold of their prey and squeeze the life out of it. The problem isn't a threat to humans so much as the threat these predators pose to the delicate balance of the ecosystem they've taken over. Basically, they're just too good at their jobs.

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Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

These snakes can grow more than 20 feet long, and they reproduce rapidly. If you’re interested in joining the competition, check out the details at pythonchallenge.org. Wondering how these guys slithered their way to the top of the food chain? Well, they will eat just about anything, sometimes even alligators. It’s pretty gross to watch a python eat an alligator (trust me), so I’ll share with you this epic Gator vs. Python battle instead:

What do you think about this issue? Are you going to join the 2016 Python Challenge? Please share your comments with us below!