Burmese Pythons

The snake, stretching 19 feet, was caught in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The invasive species runs rampant through southern Florida, wreaking havoc on the state's native animal populations.

An ambitious new paper produced by the U.S. Geological Survey found that the python population has exploded in only 20 years from a few snakes at the southern tip of Everglades National Park to an invasion that envelops the southern third of Florida.

Wildlife officials are using a new method to help control the explosive population growth of the invasive snake by tracking down their prey.

One trapper 28 Burmese pythons and won the $10,000 grand prize for most pythons caught. The longest python measured just over 11 feet, earning the winner $1,500.

More than 16,000 Burmese pythons have been removed since 2000. The hunt takes place starting Aug. 5.

The female python was 215 pounds, 18 feet long, and had a had 122 eggs inside of her.

Registration has opened for Florida's annual python hunting challenge. The competition is not for the faint of heart.

The "Python Challenge" in the Everglades is aimed at controlling the snake population.

The money will be used to hasten efforts to undo the damage the Everglades suffered in the early 1900s.

Gov. Ron DeSantis touched on a variety of topics, including education, water quality improvements, and proposed bonuses for law enforcement officers, during his State of the State address.

The award will go to this year's Florida Python Challenge participant who removes the most pythons.

The pythons have been known to devour bird and mammal populations.