Tool Kit
Check out information and tools you’ll need to successfully compete during the Florida Python Challenge™:
- Read the Rules, take the Required Online Training and Register.
- Review specific area regulations and maps for the eight competition locations.
- After taking the Required Online Training, expand your knowledge on the best methods to search for and safely capture Burmese pythons by viewing additional training videos (optional but recommended).
- Study the requirements for humane methods for killing pythons. Novice participants may not transport live pythons at any time. Only permitted individuals may transport live pythons.
- Find check station locations and hours, or visit a training outpost during opening weekend, July 10-12, 2026.
- Complete a datasheet for each Burmese python submitted to a check station.
- Know how to identify and protect scout snakes which may be found throughout Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land, and Rotenberger WMAs. Do not harm or remove these snakes. To receive competition credit for a captured scout snake, take a picture of the external fluorescent tag (near the head or tail) with the identification number and release the animal alive at the site of capture. Submit the photograph of the tag number with capture location (GPS) and date to pythons@ifas.ufl.edu within 24 hours of capture to receive credit for the capture. Participants do not need to measure the scout snake; the research agencies will provide the known lengths of any captured scout snakes.
- Learn to properly identify and distinguish between native and nonnative snakes. Participants will be disqualified if they kill a native snake.
- Visit the outfitters and guides page and consider hiring a guide to gain hands-on experience.
- Conserve the biological diversity of all natural lands during the competition.
- Find answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions.
