BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — As the 2026 Florida Python Challenge gets underway, participants are getting up close with one of the Everglades’ most notorious invasive species before heading into the field.
Dozens of aspiring python hunters attended a training session Friday in west Broward County to learn how to safely capture and handle wild Burmese pythons, which have become a major threat to Florida’s native wildlife.
Among them was Sarah Gonzalez.
“It was really exciting. I’ve never done anything like that before,” Gonzalez said after successfully capturing two pythons during the training.
The Florida Python Challenge officially began Friday, giving participants the opportunity to help remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades while competing for cash prizes.
During the training, experts demonstrated the proper techniques for approaching and securing the snakes, emphasizing that safety should always come first.
“They can double back and strike at you at a pretty fast speed,” one instructor explained.
Instructors warned participants never to attempt to capture a python alone because of the potential dangers.
Instead, they encouraged hunters to be patient and avoid rushing a capture.
“Really take your time,” an instructor said. “If you don’t get a good pin the first time, it’s OK to back up and try again.”
Those who completed the required training and signed participation waivers practiced capturing live pythons under the supervision of experienced handlers before venturing into the Everglades.
For Gonzalez, the motivation goes beyond the thrill of the hunt.
“Florida is my home, and Burmese pythons are not a native species,” she said.
The annual Florida Python Challenge is designed to help reduce the invasive snake population while raising awareness about the ecological damage Burmese pythons have caused throughout South Florida. Participants who remove the most snakes during the competition are eligible for cash prizes, including a top prize of $10,000.
The python removal competition ends at 5 p.m. on July 19. For more information, click here.
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