Florida is now home to the Burmese pythons, and it’s down to vigilante hunters to take them out for a healthy reward.
Due to the exotic pet trade in Florida, the area has become overrun by the invasive, massive Burmese pythons. The enormous snake has absolutely no natural predators, and it can grow up to a length of 22 feet. The average is around 16 feet.
People taking them on as pets have been releasing them when they’ve become too much of a problem. They then slither out into the Everglades and become comfortably massive without any threat from wildlife.
So, Florida has started an incentive to kill the monsters. Hunters are offered a cash reward for bringing them in. Each python is worth $50, with an extra $25 per foot over the average 4 feet. Additionally, they have a Florida Python Challenge every year. During this 10-day killing spree, the hunter who brings in the most pythons wins a cash prize.
This year, one Florida man has smashed all records, netting an incredible 87 pythons in only one month. He took home a prize of $1k.
Serious Snake Slaying Man Bags Burmese Baddies
Along with the 10-day snake slaying fest is another Florida incentive program. The South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program encourages residents to do their bit to kill the snakes. A monetary reward is attached to the killing of the Florida pythons.
It was during this time that Aaron Mann of Florida managed to kill 87 Burmese pythons in a month. This set a whole new record and earned him $1k. I somehow feel that the prize money doesn’t live up to the effort.
87 pythons in a month comes to almost three a day. I have no idea what his technique is, but the man must have the eyes of a hawk and bravery to match. He is seen posing with one of the enormous snakes, and it must be more than 12 feet long.
This Florida man has set the standard for catching Burmese pythons in the Everglades. Anyone looking to topple that record is going to have a tough time.