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Yahoo
4 days ago
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3 men catch monster Burmese python in Florida Everglades. Was it biggest ever captured?
Three hunters recently captured a massive Burmese python in the Florida Everglades. Zach Hoffman, Jan Gianello and Justice Sargood caught the invasive snake near Everglades City just after midnight on May 31. The constrictor was so large that Hoffman had to get a bigger tape measure. "At first we measured with a 15-foot tape measure that we had lying around, and it wasn't long enough," Hoffman said. "Then I took a measurement with a 25-foot tape. When I read the number out loud we couldn't believe it." First identified in Everglades National Park in 2000, the Burmese python may be the most destructive foreign animal in the park's history. The massive constrictors can grow to more than 18 feet and weigh over 200 pounds. Did the trio's catch break the record for the longest python ever captured? Here's what to know about the behemoth catch and the biggest pythons ever caught in Florida: Registration for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge — a 10-day event to remove invasive Burmese pythons — is open. This year's hunt runs from July 11 to July 20, Florida Fish and Wildlife announced May 15. Participants can win money prizes in several categories, including a $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize. FWC works with partners and the public to hunt and kill the snakes, including the annual Florida Python Challenge. The 2025 Florida Python Challenge starts at 12:01 a.m. July 11 and ends at 5 p.m. July 20, Florida Fish and Wildlife announced May 15. There are $25,000 in cash prizes up for grabs for this year's hunt. The top prize of $10,000 goes to the person who catches the most pythons. Those with the most catches in the Novice, Professional and Military categories win $2,500, while runners-up in each group receive $1,500, and $1,000 is awarded for the longest pythons caught. There is no established firearm season during the time of the event. The use of firearms during the competition is prohibited. Burmese pythons captured in Florida must be humanely killed. While they are not protected in Florida, anti-cruelty law still applies. Step 1: The method should result in the animal losing consciousness immediately. These tools should result in the immediate loss of consciousness: Captive bolt Firearms (not allowed in the Florida Python Challenge and otherwise subject to property-specific and local rules) or pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns Step 2: The animal's brain should be destroyed by 'pithing' which prevents it from regaining consciousness. The invasive snakes are distributed across more than a thousand square miles in the Everglades and southern Florida. Burmese pythons have been found across the state and are slithering north. They may even reach Georgia. At 12:30 a.m. on May 31, Zach Hoffman, Jan Gianello and Justice Sargood were on their way home from an uneventful night of python hunting when they decided to check one last spot and spotted a huge Burmese python 'laying halfway on the road, half in the ditch." Sargood grabbed the python's head and wrestled with it, while Hoffman and Gianello controlled the rest of the snake's body to keep it from coiling too tightly. ➤ 'We couldn't believe it': Giant python wrangled, caught by 3 hunters in Everglades Once they had control over the large python, it was humanely euthanized. They attempted to measure the snake with a 15-foot tape measure, but it came up short. A 25-foot tape measure did the trick, and the hunters determined the massive python to be 16 feet, 8 inches long. The hefty snake weighed 105 pounds. A group of python hunters caught the longest Burmese python ever measured on July 10, 2023, in the Big Cypress National Preserve in eastern Collier County. The monster snake was 19 feet long. The previous record was held by python hunters Ryan Ausburn and Kevin Pavlidis who captured a python measuring a whopping 18-feet 9-inches in 2020. In 2013, Jason Leon captured a then-record 18-foot python in southeastern Miami-Dade County. The massive snake weighed 128 pounds. Licensed python hunter Mike Kimmel, alone on a spoil island in the Florida Everglades, caught a 17-foot python in 2020. Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologists caught the heaviest Burmese python ever recorded in the Florida Everglades in 2022. The colossal female python weighed an eye-popping 215 pounds and was nearly 18 feet long. A 198-pound Burmese python was captured in November 2023 in the Big Cypress Preserve, making it the second-heaviest ever caught in the Sunshine State. The massive snake was 17 feet, 2 inches long. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Burmese python caught in Everglades. Is massive snake largest ever?
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
With Florida Python Challenge set for summer, a look at largest Burmese pythons ever caught
Dates for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge — a ten-day event to remove invasive Burmese pythons — are set and registration for the event is open. This year's hunt runs from July 11 to July 20, Florida Fish and Wildlife announced May 15. Participants can win money prizes in several categories, including a $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize. First identified in Everglades National Park in 2000, the Burmese python may be the most destructive foreign animal in the park's history. Burmese pythons have put a stranglehold on Florida's wildlife, contributing to the decline of raccoons, opossums, bobcats, foxes, and marsh and cottontail rabbits, according to a USGS study. The massive snakes can grow to more than 18 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds. FWC works with partners and the public to hunt and kill the snakes, including the annual Florida Python Challenge. Here's what to know about the Florida Python Challenge for 2025 and the biggest pythons caught in Florida: The 2025 Florida Python Challenge starts at 12:01 a.m. July 11 and ends at 5 p.m. July 20, Florida Fish and Wildlife announced May 15. $25,000 in prizes are up for grabs for this year's hunt. The top prize of $10,000 goes to the person who catches the most pythons. Those with the most catches in the Novice, Professional and Military categories win $2,500, while runners-up in each group receive $1,500, and $1,000 is awarded for the longest pythons caught. Burmese pythons captured in Florida must be humanely killed. While they are not protected in Florida, anti-cruelty law still applies. Step 1: The method should result in the animal losing consciousness immediately. These tools should result in the immediate loss of consciousness: Captive bolt Firearms (not allowed in the Florida Python Challenge and otherwise subject to property-specific and local rules) or pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air guns Step 2: The animal's brain should be destroyed by 'pithing' which prevents it from regaining consciousness. The invasive snakes are distributed across more than a thousand square miles in the Everglades and southern Florida Burmese pythons have been found across the state and are slithering north. They may even reach Georgia. A group of python hunters caught the longest Burmese python ever measured on July 10, 2023, in the Big Cypress National Preserve in eastern Collier County. The monster snake was 19 feet long. The previous record was held by python hunters Ryan Ausburn and Kevin Pavlidis who captured a python measuring a whopping 18-feet 9-inches in 2020. In 2013, Jason Leon captured a then-record 18-foot python in southeastern Miami-Dade County. The massive snake weighed 128 pounds. Licensed python hunter Mike Kimmel, alone on a spoil island in the Florida Everglades, caught a 17-foot python in 2020. Conservancy of Southwest Florida biologists caught the heaviest Burmese python ever recorded in the Florida Everglades in 2022. The colossal female python weighed an eye-popping 215 pounds and was nearly 18 feet long. A 198-pound Burmese python was captured in November 2023 in the Big Cypress Preserve, making it the second-heaviest ever caught in the Sunshine State. The massive snake was 17 feet, 2 inches long. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida Python Challenge 2025 dates set. See biggest ever captured
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
When is Florida Python Challenge 2025? How you can join hunt for massive invasive snakes
Want to hunt Burmese pythons in Florida? Dates for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge — a ten-day event to remove invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida — are set. Burmese pythons wreak havoc on Florida's ecosystem, including its wildlife, by preying on native mammals, birds and reptiles. This year's hunt starts at 12:01 a.m. July 11 and ends at 5 p.m. July 20, Florida Fish and Wildlife announced May 15. To register as a novice or professional, potential participants must first read the rules and take a free, required online training and pass a quiz with at least 85%. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian complete their registration and be accompanied by a registered adult during the competition. The cost to register is $25 and not refundable. Participants can win money prizes in several categories, including a $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize. Here's what to know about the Florida Python Challenge and Burmese pythons in Florida: More: Florida Python Challenge 2025 is set: When is it, where is it, prize money. What to know The Florida Python Challenge is a ten-day competition encouraging participants to remove Burmese pythons from seven Commission-managed lands in South Florida. According to FWC, the event is held to raise public awareness about invasive species in Florida, like Burmese pythons, that are a threat to the Everglades ecosystem. Burmese python diet: Do the invasive snakes eat alligators? The Florida Python Challenge takes place at eight competition locations: Big Cypress Wildlife Management AreaEverglades National ParkFlorida Python Hunt participants can win money prizes. The 2025 top prize, for the most pythons caught, is $10,000. Awarded to the participant who removes the most pythons as part of the competition. Most Pythons Professional Category $2,500 Most Pythons Professional Category Runner Up $1,500 Longest Python Professional Category $1,000 Most Pythons Novice Category $2,500 Most Pythons Novice Category Runner Up $1,500 Longest Python Novice Category $1,000 Most Pythons Military Category $2,500 Most Pythons Military Category Runner Up $1,500 Longest Python Military Category $1,000 Per FWC, any participant or person who has violated or violates any rules of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District, National Park Service, the Florida Administrative Code, or Florida State Statutes, shall be subject to disqualification from the Florida Python Challenge and be charged accordingly for said violation. Persons disqualified from the contest will not receive a refund of their entry fee. Florida Python Challenge competition rules are as follows: The Florida Python Challenge™ python removal competition occurs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2025. Participants must carry a printed or digital copy of their Florida Python Challenge™ registration notification email in their possession when participating in the competition. Youth under the age of 18 must have their parent or legal guardian complete their registration. Youth must also be accompanied by a registered adult while participating in the competition. Parents accept all liability for their children's participation. All participants regardless of age must individually complete the Required Online Training and receive their own completion code. Only Burmese pythons removed from the competition locations during the Florida Python Challenge™ are valid entries for the competition. There is no established firearm season during the event timeframe. The use of firearms to take pythons is prohibited during this competition. The use of dogs or other animals to search for, capture, or kill pythons is prohibited for participants during this competition. Pythons captured by Novices must be humanely killed immediately at the site of capture. Novice participants may not transport live pythons at any time. Air guns and captive bolts may be used to humanely kill pythons at any time of day or night. Participants will be disqualified if they kill a native snake or damage, destroy, or remove eggs of a native species. Taking pythons with an air gun on, from, or across levees or the right-of-way of roads is prohibited. The use of a gun and light at night is prohibited. Artificial light, such as flashlights and headlamps, may be used at night to aid in locating and capturing pythons. Python carcasses must be kept chilled or frozen, and turned in at the nearest accessible Florida Python Challenge™ check station within 24 hours of capture. Check stations are open daily beginning Friday, July 11, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. On the last day of the competition, Sunday, July 20, 2025, the check stations will be open from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Research agencies are managing a team of Burmese pythons that are implanted with radio transmitters to learn about their reproduction, movement, and habitat use. These 'scout snakes' are located throughout Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land, and Rotenberger WMAs. Do not harm or remove these snakes. To receive competition credit for a captured scout snake, take a picture of the external fluorescent tag (near the head or tail) with the identification number and release the animal alive at the site of capture. Submit the photograph of the tag number with capture location (GPS) and date to bicy_python@ or melissamiller@ within 24 hours of capture to receive credit for the capture. Participants do not need to measure the scout snake; the research agencies will provide the known lengths of any captured scout snakes. Novices must adhere to Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) requirements that apply to the general public. Those requirements can be found at Off-Road Vehicle Use - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) ( Big Cypress National Preserve has an annual 60-day ORV closure during this event. No ORV use is allowed. Removing pythons from rights-of-way is subject to the rules of the specific areas in which they are located. Drones/Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are prohibited for participants during the Florida Python Challenge ™. Commercial recreational activities, such as but not limited to, airboat rides, guide services, and other tourist services are prohibited in Conservation Area 3A South (south of I-75 and west of the Miami Canal) in Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA, unless authorized by the Miccosukee Tribe, which has the exclusive right to provide such services in the leased area. Commercial filming in Big Cypress WMA and Everglades National Park may require a permit from National Park Service in advance of conducting these activities. For more information visit: gov/bicy/planyourvisit/ and Commercial activities in Big Cypress WMA, including tours and guide services, require a Commercial Use Authorization from NPS in advance of conducting these activities. Commercial activities include providing python removal or survey tours or guided python hunting. Currently, guided python hunts and tours are not allowed in Big Cypress WMA. For more information visit: and Commercial activities are prohibited on SFWMD lands, per Public Use Rule 40E-7, without a written agreement. These include, but are not limited to, airboat rides, guide services, and media productions. For media authorization on SFWMD lands, contact Randy Smith (rrsmith@ Parking or driving airboats or other vehicles on tree islands or the surrounding fringe vegetation is prohibited. Cutting, damaging, or removing any natural, manmade, or cultural resources is also prohibited, including cutting down vegetation on tree islands. Do not remove anything from the Florida Python Challenge™ competition locations other than Burmese pythons or other nonnative reptiles as authorized by Executive Order 23-16. Road-killed Burmese pythons are ineligible for the competition, but the FWC would like to receive reports of any pythons observed. Please provide the roadkill data to Snake hooks, snake tongs, snake bags, noose poles, and long-handled non-motorized tools may be used to capture Burmese pythons by hand. Use of traps, bait, explosives, chemicals, smoke and motorized tools to capture pythons is prohibited. Florida state statutes require that harvested pythons must be killed humanely. For more information, please refer to 828.12 (F.S.), which prohibits inhumane treatment of animals. All participants are required to follow the Florida Python Challenge™ protocol for humane methods for killing pythons found in the Required Online Training. Pythons captured by Novices must be humanely killed immediately at the site of capture. Novice participants may not transport live pythons at any time. There are no official check stations in Everglades National Park. Participants must submit their python carcasses to one of the three official Florida Python Challenge™ check stations Python carcasses must be kept chilled or frozen, and turned in at the nearest accessible Florida Python Challenge™ check station within 24 hours of capture. Python carcasses should be in no more than two pieces (e.g., the head removed from the body). The head of the python must be included as part of an official submission. A legible datasheet must be completed and submitted with each Burmese python upon submission to the check station. Burmese pythons submitted without the completed datasheet will not be included in the competition. Datasheets must be printed by the participant and filled out in the field with appropriate capture, location and humane killing method data. Participants in the Florida Python Challenge™ are encouraged to voluntarily submit datasheets for pythons that were observed but not captured. Official measurements on all Florida Python Challenge™ pythons will be conducted by the University of Florida. All pythons submitted will be held by UF until the end of the competition. Participants who wish to keep the skin of a captured Burmese python must indicate this preference by checking the box for carcass return on the datasheet. After the python is measured for official entry into the Florida Python Challenge™ and the entry window has ended, participants will receive a single email notifying them to schedule a time to pick up the Burmese python carcass(es) from the UF Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie. The email that UF will use to contact participants is the email address listed on the datasheet. It is the participant's responsibility to check their email for this notification from UF. There is no established firearm season during the time of the event. The use of firearms during the competition is prohibited. Watch: 'Godzilla' the alligator hauls massive Burmese python through water in Florida Everglades If you catch a Burmese python in Florida, you must humanely kill the snake where it was captured. Transporting live pythons is not allowed. Two steps must be completed to kill a python humanely: Step 1 - Target the brain: The application of the tool should immediately result in the python losing consciousness. Draw an imaginary line between each eye and opposite jawbone. The brain is located where the two lines intersect. Apply the tool to the target area (brain) to achieve an immediate loss of consciousness. Step 2- Destroy the brain: Immediately and substantially destroy the python's brain by manually 'pithing' which prevents the python from regaining consciousness. In 2024, 857 competitors from 33 states and Canada participated in the Florida Python Challenges. According to FWC, 195 Burmese pythons were removed from South Florida in the battle for the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize. $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize : Ronald Kiger, 20 Burmese pythons removed Military Prizes, Most Pythons, $2,500: U.S. Army, Jeffrey (Jeff) Lince, 5 Burmese pythons removed Most Pythons Runner-Up, $1,500: U.S. Army, David Wagner, 3 Burmese pythons removed Longest Python, $1,000 : U.S. Army, Antonio Ramos, Burmese python length: 9 feet, 7 inches Professional Prizes, Most Pythons, $2,500: Donna Kalil, 19 Burmese pythons removed Most Pythons Runner-Up, $1,500: Marcos Rodriguez, 16 Burmese pythons removed Longest Python, $1,000 : Quentin Archie, Burmese python length: 8 feet, 11 inches Novice Prizes, Most Pythons, $2,500: Thomas Hobbs, 16 Burmese pythons removed Most Pythons Runner-Up, $1,500: Donald Straughan, 7 Burmese pythons removed Longest Python, $1,000 : Dennis Krum, Burmese python length: 9 feet, 11 inches Burmese pythons have wrought destruction in the Florida Everglades. They've contributed to the decline of small mammals including raccoons, opossums, bobcats, foxes, marsh rabbits and cottontail rabbits. A recent study revealed that Burmese pythons can eat prey much larger than previously reported. Scientists observed a Burmese python swallowing a 77-pound white-tailed deer, nearly 70 percent of the snake's mass. The non-native snakes have proliferated across more than a thousand square miles of South Florida. "Burmese pythons are hard to find due to their cryptic coloration and secretive behaviors, and their low detection probability is a major challenge to effective python control and research," according to Florida Fish and Wildlife. However, conservative estimates by the USGS put the Burmese python population in the Florida Everglades region in the tens of thousands. Because Burmese pythons are distributed across more than a thousand square miles of southern Florida, including all of Everglades National Park and across the southern coast, the chances of completely eliminating the snake from Florida is low. Controlling their numbers and preventing their spread out of the area are critical goals for conservation efforts and land managers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Python Challenge 2025 dates, registration, rules for Florida hunt
