Florida Python Challenge Is Back
The Florida Python Challenge is back. Last year they removed over 200 snakes during the challenge. It is necessary to remove the invasive snakes as they are taking over the Florida Everglades and killing off all of the wildlife.
The Florida Fish And Wildlife put the Florida Python challenge on every year to help control the python population as well as raise awareness. The invasive Burmese python, does not belong in this ecosystem and poses a threat to native wildlife. With no natural predators and plenty of native animals to feast on, Burmese pythons thrive in south Florida and can grow to over 15 feet in length. Females can lay up to 100 eggs or more at a time.
The hunt begins Aug. 9 and runs through Aug. 18. Online training is required before hunters can head out to remove pythons.
Python’s can be hunted anytime, the challenge is just a way to enhance the amount of snakes removed from the area.
2023 Florida Python Challenge
Last year, there were 1,050 participants from 35 different states and Belgium that removed 209 Burmese pythons during the 10-day competition. The winner of the $10,000 grand prize came down to Paul Hobbs, who bagged 20 pythons. The runner up, earning a cool $7,500 was Ronald Kiger for 14 pythons. The winner of the military category was Justin Morgan, who removed seven pythons and earned $2,500.
Since 2000, more than 19,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida and reported to FWC, including more than 11,000 Burmese pythons removed since 2019.
Largest Python Removed From Everglades
The heaviest python, captured in Florida weighed 215 pounds and had a length of 18 feet. The longest python captured in Florida measured 19 feet and weighed 125 pounds.
Personally, I don’t think $25,000. is enough money for what these hunters go through. There is no way I would trek through the everglades seeking pythons. They should be awarded more money for what they are doing for 10 days. It’s dangerous.
If you want to sign up, and you MUST sign up or you won’t be able to collect the money, Click FlPythonChallenge.org
The 5 Most Dangerous Animals In Florida
There are a lot of dangerous animals in Florida. But if you ever wondered what the most dangerous are? This list was put together by A-Z Animals. Between 1999 and 2019 only 247 people in Florida died as a result of an animal attack. Florida ranks as the third deadliest state in the United States for animal attacks. Texas is number one with 520 and California is number two with 299. Those findings come from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
So, what is the first animal that you think of when you think dangerous in Florida? You probably think of the Alligator, but that isn’t the number one overall dangerous animal in Florida. The Great White Shark is the most dangerous animal in Florida. While not on the land in Florida Great White Sharks swim the waters around the state of Florida. Back in 2020 Florida had 16 shark bites on record. Second was Hawaii with only five.
The Most Dangerous Animals Not In The Top 5
The dangerous animals in Florida that didn’t make the top five are some that you may have thought could’ve been higher. Firstly, number six on the list is the Black Widow Spider followed by the Florida Panther. The Florida Panther is the state animal. It was chosen in 1982 by a vote of students throughout the state. Following the Florida Panther on the list is the Wild Boar. You can find the Wild Boar in all 67 counties of Florida. Their estimated population is over half a million.
Next is the Timber Rattlesnake. It is also known as the canebreak rattlesnake and it is a species of pit viper. The Timber Rattlesnake has a Chevron pattern and a stripe running down its body. Finally, coming in number 10 on the list is the American Crocodile. They are found along the coast of Florida as north as the Hillsborough/Pasco County border on the west side of Florida.
Below, you can find the top five most dangerous animals in Florida.
Great White Shark
Yes, Great White Sharks are found in the waters around Florida. A almost 1,200 pound shark that was almost 13 feet in length was tracked back in March of this year.
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Bull Shark
#1 and #2 on the list are sharks. They are in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They grow to about 11 feet and can live about 24 years.
Alligator
Alligators live in all 67 counties in Florida. You can find alligators in any body of water including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made canals.
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Eastern Dimondback Rattlesnake
They are found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak hammocks, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. Yes it is venomous.
Cottonmouth Snake
It is venomous and can be found throughout Florida. It is called a cottonmouth because of the white color of the inside of its mouth.
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