Florida pays hunters to remove invasive pythons
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Florida authorities hold an annual 10-day competition offering $25,000 in prizes to remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
The state created the contest as part of its efforts to control a population of invasive snakes that prey on native mammals, birds, and reptiles. Officials estimate the python population reaches tens of thousands, though the snakes’ camouflage and secretive behavior make accurate counts difficult.
Florida employs certified contractors through programs like the Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) and the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program. PATRIC pays workers $13 to $18 per hour to locate and remove snakes. The Water Management District offers hourly rates of $14 to $30 depending on the designated area, allowing hunters to bill up to ten hours daily.
In addition to hourly wages, contractors receive $50 for each python up to 1.2 meters long and $25 for each additional 30.48 centimeters. They also earn $200 for removing active python nests and $50 for capturing and releasing research pythons with tracking devices. Through April 2025, state programs had removed 23,500 pythons from natural areas, with over 11,000 removed by PATRIC and the district program.
The Florida Python Challenge distributes $25,000 in prizes each summer, and a new monthly competition will award $400 for the longest snake caught starting in 2025.
