An estimated 1,600 fearless Floridians signed on for a month-long reptile eradication program dubbed the Python Challenge (Jan. 12-Feb. 10), sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to raise awareness about the invasive species that has come to dominate much of the Everglades’ ecosystem. Out of the estimated 150,000 Burmese pythons in the state — some are pets set free by their owners — contestants caught 68, including one that measured 14 feet, 3 inches and one that was 10 feet, 6.8 inches, according to the Associated Press; both won the $1,000 First Place Prize for longest ones caught. The $1,500 prize for the most pythons nabbed went to a man who caught six and a man who caught eight.
Freaky Florida: 15 Weird News Stories for the 500th Anniversary of the State’s Discovery
People do things differently in the Sunshine State — whether we’re talking about attacks by cannibals or by Taco Bell burritos, state-sanctioned python hunting or rogue manatee surfing.