Florida Has Contracted Hunters to Remove Invasive Pythons
The state program pays contractors hourly rates and bounties to curb the population of invasive Burmese pythons.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Reptiles
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Florida has hired contractors to remove invasive Burmese pythons from natural areas across seven counties. As of April 2025, the program has successfully removed over 23,500 pythons that prey upon native species.
Why it matters
Invasive Burmese pythons pose a significant threat to Florida ecosystems by preying on threatened and endangered wildlife. Managing their population is essential to protecting the state's native biodiversity.
Contractors receive $14 to $30 per hour for survey work, plus $50 for the first four feet of a python and $25 per additional foot. The state also pays $200 for each verified active python nest.
The players
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
This state agency manages wildlife resources and oversees programs dedicated to the control of invasive species in Florida.
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
This regional agency is responsible for managing water resources and land in South Florida, including the removal of invasive pythons.
The details
Qualified applicants with nonnative constrictor control experience conduct survey work on designated lands in counties including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier. These efforts specifically target the invasive snakes, which typically measure between six and 10 feet in length.
Timeline
Over 23,500 pythons had been removed from Florida natural areas by April 2025.
Culture Shift
The transition from passive observation to active, compensated state-contracted eradication programs reflects a fundamental shift in how Florida addresses the invasion of exotic species. This approach signals a move toward treating ecological threats as a labor-intensive, professionalized mandate rather than a volunteer effort.
Residents and visitors in the seven impacted counties may encounter contracted removal agents working on state-designated lands. These programs aim to reduce python populations in public areas, directly impacting the safety of local wildlife habitats.
The takeaway
The sustained effort to remove invasive pythons highlights the ongoing struggle to protect native ecosystems from nonnative threats. Maintaining awareness of these programs is key for those who recreate in protected Florida natural areas.
Further reading
For more information on the management of nonnative species, visit Florida Reptiles.
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Do you support using paid private contractors to manage invasive wildlife in your area?
