Burmese Pythons

It’s the latest effort by the South Florida Water Management District to eliminate as many pythons are possible from the Everglades, where they are decimating native species.

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 23, we have conversations with three authors who have written in or about Florida.

For the first three days of the Florida Python Hunt, people can learn how to catch the invasive Burmese python. Officials say, since the snake is so elusive, this could be the only chance for many to actually hold the snake.

The annual event to combat the invasive Burmese python begins Friday in multiple locations, including the Everglades where it is most prevalent.

On "The Florida Roundup," Stephen Hall, author of "Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World," talks about the cultural significance of the slinky reptiles.

A veterinarian and conversation expert spoke about invasive and nonnative organisms during a special live show of "The Florida Roundup," recorded at Zoo Miami.

Because Florida was hit by two hurricanes weeks apart, experts say there is a lot of possible overlap when it comes to invasive plants and animals.

Amy Siewe, who is well known in South Florida’s python-hunting community, is pioneering new territory in the wildlife guiding business, leading adventurous visitors on excursions to find the invasive constrictors that have overrun the Everglades.

Ronald Kiger will take home $10,000. The challenge was set up to allow hunters to humanely kill and remove the invasive snakes from the designated competition areas during a 10-day period.

The annual Florida Python Challenge invites participants to catch and kill invasive Burmese pythons, which feed on the state's native animal population.

It's meant to incentivize hunters to capture the invasive snakes to win prizes among a share of $30,000. The grand prize winner with the most snakes humanely killed gets $10,000.

Burmese pythons are hunted and euthanized in the Florida Everglades due to being an invasive species. Some countries farm python to eat and Australian researchers say its the best meat for the planet.