Florida Expanded Python Removal Contractor Programs
The state now pays professional hunters hourly rates and bounties to control invasive Burmese python populations.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Reptiles
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Florida has ramped up efforts to manage invasive Burmese pythons, with officials contracting professional hunters to survey natural areas across seven counties. As of April 2025, these state-managed programs have successfully removed over 23,500 pythons from the local ecosystem.
Why it matters
These invasive snakes pose a significant threat to regional biodiversity by preying on native species, including several threatened and endangered animals. State programs provide a structured, managed response to mitigate the ecological impact of these constrictors on local lands.
Contractors receive $14 to $30 per hour plus performance incentives, including $200 per verified active nest and $50 for the first four feet of a python. These figures are part of ongoing state removal efforts across seven Florida counties.
The players
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
A state agency responsible for managing and protecting Florida's wildlife and natural resources through regulation and conservation programs.
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
A regional governmental authority that manages water resources and public lands in South Florida and operates python removal initiatives.
The details
Qualified contractors with prior experience in nonnative constrictor control perform surveys on designated state lands. Successful hunters are paid $50 for the first four feet of a captured snake and an additional $25 for each extra foot, with typical catches measuring between six and 10 feet. Hunters are also eligible for a $50 payment for the safe capture and release of telemetered research pythons used by biologists for tracking.
Timeline
April 2025 marked the removal of 23,500 total pythons from Florida natural areas.
The Home Front
Florida's active removal programs reflect a specialized approach to invasive species management within sensitive regional ecosystems. This strategy aligns with broader ecological goals to preserve native species populations by mitigating the impact of nonnative constrictors.
Residents living near designated natural areas in the seven active counties should maintain distance if they encounter a large snake and avoid attempting to capture it themselves. The state relies exclusively on trained, licensed contractors to safely manage these invasive reptiles.
The takeaway
The state manages python populations through a combination of hourly survey pay and specific length-based bounties. If you observe a large Burmese python in a natural area, prioritize personal safety and do not attempt to interact with the animal.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's efforts to manage nonnative species in the Reptiles section.
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