Florida Holds Annual Invasive Snake Hunt to Remove Burmese Python from Local Ecosystem

To raise awareness and purge the local ecosystem of the invasive species Burmese Python, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing to hold an Invasive Snake Hunt in August.

Burmese Python

A Burmese python is a sizable snake that is native to parts of Southeast Asia and has become a highly successful invasive species in South Florida, primarily in the Everglades.

Constrictor snakes, which are not poisonous, were first introduced to the state in the 1970s and 1980s when tens of thousands of specimens were brought in to be sold as exotic pets. The Florida state record for a python is 18 feet, 9 inches, but this species can reach lengths of up to 20 feet.

Evasive and Invasive

Some of these snakes ended up in Florida's ecosystem, either through intentional or unintentional release by their owners. They eventually started reproducing and built up a population in the southern part of the state where the ecosystem was favorable for them.

Because they prey on numerous mammal and bird species, including those that are classified under the US Endangered Species Act, pythons now pose a serious threat to native wildlife. Invasive pythons have been blamed for the serious decrease in some small mammal populations in Florida.

Experts estimate that there are probably tens of thousands of Burmese pythons in Florida, possibly up to 100,000 or even more, considering the number that has been removed-roughly 16,000, according to the FWC-although it is nearly impossible to estimate their population size because they are so difficult to find.

Invasive Snake Hunt

A 10-day competition called the Florida Python Challenge encourages competitors to get rid of as many Burmese pythons from the public lands of Florida as they can.

Lisa Thompson, a spokesperson for the FWC, said that every python that is taken out of its natural habitat aids in safeguarding local wildlife and habitats.

When the first challenge was held in 2013, only 68 snakes were captured or killed by the roughly 1,000 participants. Over 600 participants turned in 223 Burmese pythons during the 2021 edition, more than doubling the number seen in 2020.

The removal competition kicks off at 8:00 AM this year. beginning at 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2022. in 2022 on August 14. Anyone can enter the competition, but they must first register, pay a fee, and complete the necessary online training.

The competition is open to participants under the age of 18, but they must have their parent or legal guardian register them and be accompanied by a registered adult at all times.

The challenge of the competition is to catch and kill Burmese pythons, which must then be delivered to an official event check station. According to the FWC, it is both ethically and legally required to make sure that the pythons are killed in a way that reduces suffering.

Pythons that are not properly killed will be removed from the competition. The FWC offers recommendations for how to get rid of Burmese pythons properly.

There will be several awards given in the "Novice" and "Professional" categories. These awards go to those who catch the most and the longest pythons, among other categories. Veterans and members of the military on active duty can compete in additional categories as well.

Managing Burmese Pythons in Florida

The FWC's plan for eliminating and managing Burmese pythons in the state includes several different tactics, including the Florida Python Challenge.

According to Thompson, the FWC collaborates closely with partners to make sure that eradicating this invasive species from Florida remains a top priority. The Wildlife Impact Management Section of the FWC and affiliated organizations use a variety of aggressive tactics to manage the Burmese python populations.

These initiatives include hiring contracted teams who are compensated to remove pythons from public lands all year long, asking people to report Burmese python sightings, and holding Exotic Pet Amnesty Days at various locations across the state where people can surrender non-native pets without incurring any penalties as opposed to releasing them into the environment.

Additionally, the FWC urges the general public to eliminate pythons on private lands using the right techniques whenever it is practical. As long as you have the landowner's consent, you can do this without a permit or hunting license.

The goal of control initiatives like these is to manage the population, even though there are currently very few chances of eliminating Burmese pythons from the environment in Florida given how well-established they are.

Bryan Falk, a program analyst with the National Invasive Species Council, stated that though there are currently no tools for landscape-level python control, federal, local, state, tribal, and non-governmental partners are collaborating to make the most of current efforts and invest in creating tools that enhance control.

The aim, he continued, is to control the invasive Burmese python population and lessen the harm that pythons do to Florida's ecosystems by forging these partnerships and making wise investments, Newsweek reports.