5 Things to Know About the 2022 Florida Python Challenge

They've been a problem for Florida for decades. Burmese pythons are not native to Florida. They are found in India, lower China, the Malay Peninsula and some islands of the East Indies. But pythons that have been released since the 1980s into the Everglades have messed up the ecosystem by feeding on everything from eggs to deer. The Florida Python Challenge offers up some big cash to would-be python hunters who can help rid the Everglades of the snakes that can grow to 20 feet long.

The Florida Python Challenge began at 8am Friday morning and runs through Sunday, August 14.

You do need to register and there's a $25 entry fee that goes to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation. You also need to take a training quiz and score at least 85%. A Florida hunting license is NOT required.

It's not illegal to eat python meat, but they do warn you that some pythons that have been removed from the Everglades have had high amounts of mercury.

You don't need to be a Florida resident to participate. Those under 18 can also participate but will need parental permission.

Thousands of dollars in prize money are up for grabs. The top prize is $2,500 for the one who catches the most. If you catch the longest python, you score $1,500. Those from the military are eligible for extra cash prizes up to $2,000.