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Florida Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Rules and Regulations
2026 Python Challenge™: Everglades National Park Rules and Regulations
All participating NPS Public Python Agents must have a copy of these rules on-site and all team members must be made aware of all rules.
General Rules
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge™ python removal competition occurs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Participants must register and complete all Florida Python Challenge™ requirements and training before they can serve as National Park Service (NPS) Public Python Agents (Agents) and search for Burmese pythons on Everglades National Park (ENP) property. This authorization is effective from the completion of the NPS orientation until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the conclusion of the Florida Python Challenge™.
Serving as Agents is limited to participants who have registered as ‘Novice’. Paid contractors and subcontractors of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) or the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Python Elimination Program (PEP) compete as "Professional" participants. Professionals must adhere to their contract requirements during the competition and will have special access at competition locations as outlined in their contracts.
In addition to following ENP rule set, Agents must also follow the general Florida Python Challenge™ rule set. In the event that ENP rule set and general Florida Python Challenge™ rule sets conflict, the ENP rule set will override.
Attend a one-time in-person orientation with NPS staff to receive the NPS Public Python Agent badge, search maps, ENP rules, and sign the authorized agent acknowledgment form. This orientation must be completed at one of the Agent Authorization Stations listed below before you begin your search in ENP.
Agents must digitally sign in and sign out each time they enter or exit ENP property using the QR code on their NPS Public Python Agent badge.
Agents must carry their official Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Florida Python Challenge™ registration confirmation and NPS Public Python Agent badge when searching for Burmese pythons on ENP property.
Agents must present their approved credentials at the park entrance station for fee-free access to ENP and when requested by park law enforcement.
The use of firearms to take Burmese pythons is prohibited during this competition.
Agents using paddle craft for searching may only operate during daylight hours.
Agents may not use airboats within ENP for Burmese python searching.
Do not disturb any equipment found within ENP, such as live animal traps, or game cameras.
Rules Related to Searching and Access
Agents may only search Shark Valley Tram Road from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on foot or bicycle.
Agents may search areas along Main Park Road by vehicle and L-67 Extension levee by foot or bicycle at any time of day or night.
Agents must review the Florida Python Challenge Virtual Maps available on the ArcGIS app and be familiar with “No Search Zones” in ENP, such as Flamingo, Nike Missile Site, Nine Mile Pond, etc. No Search Zones may be accessed for non-python searching activities unless otherwise noted due to administrative closures.
All vehicles operating in ENP must be considered “street legal”.
Agents may not operate motorized vehicles on any unpaved roads, those under administrative closure, or behind gates of any kind.
Do not drive on the grass shoulder of the Main Park Road for extended periods. This does not include pulling off briefly for the purposes of safety or to capture a Burmese python.
When searching roads, a team must travel within a single vehicle.
Be courteous of other drivers and pull over as needed to avoid obstructing traffic when traveling below the speed limit on any road. Agents should turn on hazard lights and are encouraged to wear a reflective vest outside the vehicle when stopped at the side of the road.
Use only street legal headlights to search for Burmese pythons while operating a vehicle and headlamps or handheld flashlights while on foot.
Use of auxiliary vehicle lighting, such as spotlights and lightbars, is prohibited while operating in ENP.
Avoid shining lights off the roadbed or trail into undeveloped areas.
Passengers must be inside the vehicle and follow all driving safety laws including wearing a seat belt. No person may ride in the bed of a truck while operating in ENP.
Capture and Humane Euthanasia
Only capture Burmese pythons with snake hooks, snake tongs, snake bags, noose poles, and long-handled non-motorized tools to capture by hand.
Do not remove eggs of any kind, even if suspected to be those of a Burmese python. Please obtain a location and report any eggs on your check-out form.
Do not capture or euthanize any snake that cannot be positively identified as a Burmese python.
Do not perform field euthanasia in the view or presence of any person(s), including the public or media personnel, except the Agent and assistant(s).
Do not post any euthanasia-related content to social media.
The only tools authorized for euthanasia in ENP during the FPC are an air gun, captive bolt stunner (or similar, including ramset powder actuated driver), hammer, or club. The preceding methods must be followed by a pith to ensure destruction of the brain.
When carrying an air gun or other approved tool for humane euthanasia, the Agent:
May not enter a federal building with an air gun or euthanasia tool in their possession.
Must be used only at close range with the intent of euthanasia.
Must not discharge an air gun in the defined “No Search Zones”.
Commercial activities in Everglades National Park, including tours and guide services, require a Commercial Use Authorization from NPS in advance of conducting these activities. Commercial activities include providing Burmese python removal or survey tours or guided Burmese python hunting. Currently, guided Burmese python hunts and tours are not allowed in Everglades National Park. For more information visit our Commercial Use Authorizations page.
Commercial products, such as leather, may not be generated and sold from Burmese pythons removed from ENP.
Do not deface or graffiti any trees, other vegetation, buildings, structures, etc., within the park.
If any cultural material is found, do not collect, move, destroy, or deface the cultural resources. These resources include but are not limited to ceramic (full vessels or ceramic fragments), stone (tools, building material, etc.), bone (animal or otherwise), historic cans & bottles, etc. If any cultural resources are located, leave them in place and report the location to the park representative at a park Agent Authorization Station, who will provide that information to the Park Archeologist.
All Agents will be informed of the penalties of illegally collecting artifacts, intentionally damaging any archeological or historic property, or providing location information of cultural resources to anyone other than the Park Archeologist or Park representative, or those approved by the Park Archeologist to receive that information (43 CFR 7.4; up to a $20,000 fine, up to two years in prison, and the confiscation of any equipment used to break the law).
Everglades National Park No Search Zones
Agents must review the Florida Python Challenge Virtual Maps available on the ArcGIS app and be familiar with “No Search Zones” in ENP. No Search Zones may be accessed for non-python searching activities unless otherwise noted due to administrative closures.
All developed areas of Flamingo west of the Maintenance Yard Road.
All of Florida Bay and the Gulf of America.
Agents are required to follow all regulations outlined in the Superintendent's Compendium
even if those regulations are not specifically included in this rule set.
For questions about the Florida Python Challenge™ in Everglades National Park, contact us at EVER_Python@nps.gov.
For any other questions about the Florida Python Challenge™, to include media requests, email: pythonchallenge@myfwc.com.
