Burmese pythons were imported into Florida via the exotic pets trade in the 1970s and 80s. Naturally, some got loose, outgrew their cages, and were released into the wild. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew damaged a reptile breeding facility, releasing even more of these super predators into the wild.

Since then, the population has skyrocketed. These snakes are almost impossible to spot, are rarely on the move, and are very good at killing, breeding, and eating.

"They have devastated our ecosystem," says Mike Kirkland, senior invasive animal biologist at South Florida's water management district. 

Kirkland says there has been a 90-95% reduction in fur bearing animals in the Everglades National Park since the pythons appeared in the late 1990s. One study found a 99% decrease in raccoons, 99% decrease in opossums, and a complete absence of rabbits.

The glades used to be jammed with life, now it's almost mammal-less. Native predators like bobcats can't even compete against these asian invaders, and they too are becoming harder to find.

These snakes are running wild, with no end in sight.

The Florida Python Challenge™ is an annual, 10-day conservation competition held in July by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, with additional support from partners like the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Everglades National Park. Sign up to catch pythons and you could win up to $10,000.