If you don't have a fear of snakes (sorry Indiana Jones), you could win some serious cash. All you have to do is head down to Florida where the state needs your help wrangling some snakes.
While most people would think that wrangling snakes is the catch, it's actually that the offer is only on the table for a limited time. It's called the Florida Python Challenge, and organizers hold the event for ten days, from Aug. 9-19. So no, you can't go imitating Steve Irwin all year long and expect to get paid. However, this year marks its 11th anniversary, so if this sort of thing interests you then you can make it a yearly competition.
You can now register for the Florida Python Challenge. As the name implies, you'll be wrangling Burmese Pythons in the Everglades in South Florida. Burmese Pythons are an invasive species that can wreak havoc on local environments. Just ask poor Puerto Rico if you need evidence of the how devastating the snakes can be. Even the Lt. governor turned out to lend her support. Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez held a press conference to promote the event.
Snake Wrangling For Money
More than 1,000 people participated last year in the Florida Everglades. In total, competitors removed 200 pythons last year. The competition is open to anyone to participate in. That includes professional and non-professional wranglers. If that sounds like something you're down for, consider that these snakes can weigh up to 200 pounds. They also grow 20 feet. One professional wrangler spoke with Click Orlando, "The snake is most comfortable on the ground, and once you start lifting, that's when it starts to react."
There are two prizes available. You can win for wrangling the longest snake and also for catching the most snakes. To give you an idea of what you're going up again, Tennessean Paul Hobbs won last year. He removed 20 pythons winning $10,000. Meanwhile Amy Siewe captured a snake that measured 10 feet, 9 inches long.
It's not easy work. However, the competition is just one creative way that Florida is attempting to combat the invasive snake. Pythons can lay 100 eggs at a time. With no natural predators, these snakes can be devastating. If you're interested in registering, then you can click here for more information. Good luck and happy snake wrangling.
