Florida's python hunt coming soon. What to know about the reigning champ

Here's what we know about the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, how the yearly hunt works and a little bit about last year's winner.

To Target Pythons, Florida Researchers Are GPS-Tracking Possums and Waiting Until They Get Eaten

We’re not putting these animals out there and in harm’s way. Harm’s way is there. We're just documenting what's happening"

Opossums vs. Pythons: Inside Florida's Unusual Strategy for Fighting Invasive Snakes

Florida scientists are using opossums to secretly track invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades-and it's working.
TCPalm

Florida possums with GPS collars used to track pythons in Everglades

Opossums are being used to fight invasive Burmese pythons in Florida. Here's how researchers are doing it and pythons sightings on the Treasure Coast.
WFLA News Channel 8

Florida sets record for python removal with help of new partner

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Governor Ron DeSantis shared the spotlight Tuesday with an 11-foot Burmese python, making it clear the fight to protect the Everglades from invasive species only continues. Python removal is nothing new for folks in the ...

Scientists sacrifice delicious opossums to fight Florida’s invasive pythons

Some of Florida’s opossums may soon start dying for a noble cause. A few select marsupials fitted with tracking collars may begin to lead scientists to invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) slithering through the Everglades.
USA Today

Near-record Florida python measured using humans as yardsticks

A python hunter captured the second heaviest Burmese python on record in Florida, weighing 202 pounds. The captured female python measured 16 feet, 10 inches long and was found in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Burmese pythons are a non-venomous ...