Registration Is Open For The 2024 Florida Python Challenge
One thing I don’t do are snakes, but if you do and you want to cash in, registration is open for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge in the Everglades.
Ever since I was a kid I’ve disliked snakes. It could be because a friend of mine’s dad had a huge ball python when I was growing up that he let slither all over the house. After a few traumatic experiences, like waking up to it wrapped around the bed post licking my face and curling and squeezing around my legs, I want nothing to do with them.
I know living in SWFL there are snakes, and I’ve seen a few. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that my neighbor warned me of a snake living in my bushes at my home in Fort Myers. If I had to guess, it was probably a black racer, but there have been python sightings in our area, mainly in Cape Coral, but if they’re on the move they can go anywhere. And we want them gone, which is where the Florida Python Challenge comes in.
Registration Is Open For The 2024 Florida Python Challenge
With pythons being an invasive species in Florida, every year the Florida Python Challenge sees python hunters capturing them over a 9 day period. The hunt awards $25,000 in prizes in categories like most pythons caught and longest python caught.
The python hunt starts August 9th and runs through August 18th. There is an online training that is required before the challenge begins.
You can find more info and sign up here
If you, like me, will be sitting out of the hunt this year, if you want to watch a great show about python hunting in the Everglades, I totally recommend Guardians of the Glades on Discovery. The star of the show, Dusty Crum, is a character and while watching the guys and gal catch the snakes makes my skin crawl, it’s super entertaining and you get a real feel for how much of a problem these pythons are in the Everglades.
Power Ranking The 14 Wild Animals In Florida That Can Kill You
1. The Box Jellyfish
Animals that I can’t see because they’re under the water freak me out more than most. Enter the box jellyfish. Although only a small percentage of stings are fatal, when they are – they kill quickly. Fun fact: each jellyfish carries enough venom to kill 60 humans and the sting is incredibly painful. To alleviate the pain you can pour vinegar on the sting, but don’t pee on it. I have no idea how that myth got started, but peeing on someone who just got stung won’t help. Actually, I’m kind of against peeing on anyone, anytime – but I understand that is a “thing” for some.
Box Jellyfish
2. The Brown Recluse
Brown recluse spider bites are not usually fatal, but these little things rank at number 2 because of the way they attack. Bites happen when the spider gets trapped against the skin. This includes bedsheets or in clothing and shoes. Remember, if you’ve had your shoes off outside, always shake ’em and tap them on the ground to make sure nothing crawled in there.
The venom from the bite causes the skin around the bite to die. It can take months to heal and may scar. Ask Sheila what it’s like to get bit.
A macro shot of a Brown recluse spider
3. The Black Widow
Yes, spiders take the number 2 and number 3 spot. I’ve run across several of these things in Southwest Florida, but have so far stayed on their good side. A black widow bite can produce painful swelling, cramps, muscle spasms, and nausea. The symptoms usually go away after about 12 hours. Unless the bite is on a child or the elderly. It can kill them.
A Black Widow Spider spinning a web in an oak tree.
4. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
This is the largest and most dangerous snake in Florida. Yes, there’s more. If you walk up on one, it will raise up and began to rattle its tail to look larger and more intimidating. That’s your clue to slowly back away. In most instances the snake will avoid confrontation and leave, but if it strikes, well, that’s no fun. If you get bit, get to the hospital for the anti venom. These things can kill you. And they are all over Florida.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake from Big Cypress National Preserve (adjacent to Everglades National Park), Florida
7. The Southern Copperhead Snake
This snake ranks lower, mainly because it’s not all over Florida. It’s only found in the panhandle section of Florida. Getting bit by the Southern Copperhead is rarely fatal, due to it’s short fangs and low amount of venom. But left untreated, you can die. If you get bit, keep the bite area below your heart and get to the hospital.
Southern Copperhead Snake
8. The Great White Shark
Great White Sharks like to feed on seals or sea lions. So if you’re out there swimming, try not to look like one of those. Although the Great White Shark leads all the others in deadly attacks, this predator is only here for the winter before heading back up north as the waters get warmer. Here’s a helpful tip. If you see a bunch of fish jumping out of the water, that’s probably a sign that a shark is nearby. It’s best not to swim in that area. Even though it’s not coming after you, you can get bit if you’re in the way.
Great White Shark
10. Fire Ants
I have been attacked by fire ants so many times that I don’t even get concerned anymore. But if you get enough, it can cause an allergic reaction that makes you swell up to the point where you can’t breathe. I think the most I’ve had was 20 or so on my ankle and foot. Gotta watch wear you stand.
“Fire Ants” instructions
11. Oooooooh Barracuda
The Barracuda is a scavenger with nasty, sharp teeth made to tear and shred. Be careful when you dive, it can mistake something shiny as a meal.
Happy fisherman holding a giant barracuda
12. The Wild Boar
These things are NOT as playful as the ones you see on Lion King. Generally, they just want to root around destroying your landscaping, but can attack if provoked. And you don’t want to get cut buy one of those tusks. Wild boars are full of diseases. I used to see a lot of these when I lived down Corkscrew Road in Estero.
Wild Boar
13. Florida Panther
Although there have been no reported attacks on humans from Florida Panthers, they do pose another problem. They tend to wander out into traffic. 239 Florida Panthers have died in vehicle strikes in the past 10 years. It’s more of an indirect attack. These big cats are endangered, killing a Florida panther is a third-degree felony.
Walking through palmetto trees in Charlotte County, Florida.
