A quirky restaurant in Everglades City, Florida, has gone viral after introducing an unusual payment option—live Burmese pythons. As part of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, Wildman’s Pizza, Pasta and Python is allowing participants to trade captured pythons for a free pizza while promoting awareness about the invasive reptile problem in the state.
The annual 10-day Florida Python Challenge, running from July 10 to July 19, encourages amateur and professional hunters to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Alongside competing for cash prizes, participants can now enjoy a slice of pizza by bringing their captured snakes to the restaurant.
‘First Place in the World to Accept Python as Currency’
Restaurant owner Dustin Crum said the idea is meant to support conservation efforts while giving participants a unique incentive.
“I’m the first place in the world to accept python as currency. So you can trade in a python for a pizza. We do python toppings, python pizza, iguana, you know, whatever,” Crum told NBC Miami.
The restaurant has built its identity around Florida’s invasive species and offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Burmese pythons and their impact on the local ecosystem.
Nothing Goes to Waste
According to Crum, nearly every part of the captured python is put to use.
“The fat I use to make the snake oils for the skin, creams, soap. The bones we make jewelry, everything gets used,” he said.
The restaurant also sells products made from python skin, adding another dimension to its conservation-focused business model.
Python Pizza? Here’s the Catch
While python meat does feature on the menu in certain forms, Crum acknowledged that food safety regulations prevent him from selling it commercially.
“Yeah, I can’t sell that stuff, I just gotta give it away for free,” he said.
The arrangement allows visitors to sample python meat without violating health regulations governing commercial food sales.
What Is the Florida Python Challenge?
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge is jointly organised by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District.
The annual competition is designed to reduce the population of Burmese pythons, one of Florida’s most destructive invasive species.
Hunters search for and remove the reptiles from the Everglades, helping protect native wildlife while competing for substantial cash rewards.
Why Burmese Pythons Are a Serious Threat
Originally introduced through the exotic pet trade, Burmese pythons have established a large breeding population across South Florida.
The snakes prey on numerous native animals, including federally threatened and endangered species such as:
- Wood storks
- Key Largo woodrats
They have also been documented consuming alligators and pose risks to household pets, including cats and dogs.
Their rapid spread has significantly disrupted the Everglades ecosystem, making population control a priority for wildlife authorities.
Thousands Removed From Florida
State officials estimate that more than 23,500 Burmese pythons were removed from Florida’s natural areas between 2000 and April 2025.
Removal efforts accelerated after Florida introduced a paid python removal programme in 2017, encouraging trained hunters to capture and eliminate the invasive reptiles.
The annual Python Challenge has since become one of the state’s flagship conservation initiatives, combining public participation with environmental protection.