5 things to know to kill a Burmese python humanely in Florida Python Challenge

Ashley Ferrer and C. A. Bridges, Palm Beach Post

Hunting Burmese pythons is all the rage this week as the 2024 Florida Python Challenge is underway. However, as participants gear up to hunt as many pythons as they can before Sunday night, Aug. 18, there is one big rule to be considered: the snakes must be killed humanely — no guns allowed.

Here's how to hunt humanely during the python competition.

Burmese pythons must be killed immediately at site of capture in Florida

Although the Burmese python is not protected in Florida, anti-cruelty laws still apply when hunting this week. The competition recognizes the legal and ethical obligations to ensure humane killing is practiced by participants.

In this effort, novices are required to kill pythons immediately where they are captured and must not move them before euthanizing.

Guns are prohibited in the killing of Burmese pythons

Burmese pythons caught during previous Florida Python Challenge snake hunts
Burmese pythons caught during previous Florida Python Challenge snake hunts

The Florida Python Challenge has no established firearm season at any of the competition locations, meaning the use of firearms is prohibited during the competition.

According to the competition's official website, air guns and captive-bolt stunners are still allowed.

More: Can you use a gun to kill a python in the Florida Python Challenge? Here's the rules

Florida Python Challenge participants must follow the two-step humane killing method

Burmese pythons must be killed in a humane two-step process that ends in the snake's brain and brainstem being destroyed after it is rendered unconscious.
Burmese pythons must be killed in a humane two-step process that ends in the snake's brain and brainstem being destroyed after it is rendered unconscious.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has provided recommendations for the humane killing of Burmese pythons.

There are a variety of legal tools that can be used to kill pythons throughout the challenge. Regardless of what tools are used, these two steps must be completed.

  • Step 1: Immediate loss of consciousness

    • Target the Brain:

      • Draw an imaginary line between each eye and opposite jawbone.

      • The brain is located where the two lines intersect.

      • Apply the tool to the target area (brain) to achieve an immediate loss of consciousness.

  • Step 2:Destroy the brain

    • Immediately and substantially destroy the python's brain and brainstem by "pithing" or inserting a small rod, like a screwdriver, pike or pick, into the cranial cavity, moving it deliberately in several directions.

    • According to the Florida Python Challenge website, "Pithing is an additional technique meant to cause death by increasing substantial destruction of the brain and brainstem. The goal of pithing is to render the cerebral cortex and brain stem nonfunctional."

Scout snakes should not be harmed

Pythons tagged for scientific study can be found throughout various competition areas and should not be harmed. Attached to these pythons are orange tags indicating they are "scout snakes" and are valuable to researchers.

If a participant captures a scout snake, they should take a picture of the tag and release the live python back into the site of capture. These snakes will count as capture as long as photographs are submitted with the capture location and date to bicy_python@nps.gov or melissamiller@ufl.edu. Submissions must be sent within 24 hours of capture.

Participants can be disqualified for killing pythons inhumanely

The competition rules require that those partaking in the Florida Python Challenge follow the AVMA recommendations to kill the snakes in a way meant to prevent suffering.

Participants that are found to have hunted and killed a python inhumanely will be disqualified.

What is the Florida Python Challenge?

The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition held every year since 2013 to increase awareness of the invasive species and keep the populations down. The 10-day event takes place in 10 FWC-managed areas in South Florida. You can't kill them in your backyard and count them in your numbers.

Where are the approved challenge areas?

What are the 2024 Florida Python Challenge prizes?

  • $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize

    • Awarded to the participant who removes the most snakes.

In the Novice, Military and Professional categories:

  • $2,500

    • Awarded to the participant who removes the most pythons in category.

  • $1,500

    • Awarded to the runner-up with second-most most pythons in category.

  • $1,000

    • Awarded to the participant who submits the longest snake in category.

As stated on the Florida Python Challenge website, "participants may only win one prize. If an individual is eligible for more than one prize, they will be awarded the prize of the highest value and the next qualifying participant in place for that category will be awarded the remaining prize."

Ashley Ferrer is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Python Challenge: How to kill Burmese pythons humanely

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