Last year's challenge brought in more than 850 participants and resulted in the removal of nearly 200 pythons. This year, the top prize for the most pythons caught is $10,000.

Burmese pythons will be targeted by hunters for a 10-day period starting on July 11 in the annual Florida Python Challenge.

All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species ...