Tom Rahill won the annual event, earning $10,000 for removing 96 Burmese pythons from South Florida

As Florida keeps removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, many Floridians are wondering if the snakes could serve an additional role as an edible delicacy.

Burmese pythons are recognizable by more than their size. Hunters should be on the lookout for a telltale, arrow-shaped marking on the snake’s head, along with giraffe-like spots across its body and dark spots around its eyes. During the summer months, they’re most likely to be found sunning on levee banks or near trees.

Over 900 participants helped remove 280 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida during the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, according to FWC.

By exploiting the snakes' mating behavior, a team in southwest Florida removed a record 8,080 pounds of invasive pythons in just six months. The effort points to a simple but effective idea: use the snakes' instincts against them to stop the next generation before the population grows further.

Follow a wildlife encounter focused on catching invasive pythons, highlighting the effort involved and the importance of managing invasive species responsibly.

Burmese pythons in Florida are devouring animals as small as rabbits and as big as deer and alligators. How they do it is fascinating and unsettling.