A group of python hunters captured a record-breaking snake in Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve. The Burmese python was measured at 19 feet and approx 125 pounds. Pythons are an invasive species in Florida, and the government allows private hunters to capture or kill the reptile within its borders. The state's annual Florida Python Challenge, a multi-day event that provides cash incentives for whomever can catch the most snakes, kicks off next month from Aug 4 to Aug 13. | NowThis

Caught on camera! 🐍⁠ ⁠ A Florida trapper wrangled a python measuring 17 feet and 1 inch over the weekend in the Everglades near Fort Lauderdale, and the major catch was caught on video. ⁠ ⁠ Matthew Kogo, a trapper for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, found the snake in the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.⁠ ⁠ In the video, Kogo keeps a firm grip on the python’s head as it wriggles. The caption explains how he lets the invasive snake tire itself out, so as not to pu

Florida has a python problem. Since 2000, more than 23,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state — and that’s just a fraction of what’s out there. At our recent WINK Listens event, John Gilbride told us he believes the annual hunt doesn’t go far enough. His idea? Year-round bounties for snakes and even their eggs to protect native species in the Everglades and beyond. Do you think more should be done to control the python invasion? 🐊🌿 #FloridaWildlife #Everglades #BurmesePythons #WI