Florida Trapper Wrangles 17-Foot Python

Video footage of a Florida trapper wrangling a massive python near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has gone viral.

According to nbcmiami.com, Matthew Kogo, trapper for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, captured the 17-foot, 1-inch snake in the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.

The footage shows Kogo with a firm grip on the python’s head as its long body wraps around and through his legs and waist. He talks about the importance of letting the snake tire itself out.

"You gotta let her work, as my Brazilian Ju-Jitsu friends say. Got to let them work," he said.

Additional video footage shows Kogo sitting on the ground while still holding on to the large reptile.

“Spend some time with a serpent before snatching it up and pulling it out of the glades. This is quality time,” he said.

Experts told NBC affiliate WBBH it’s not unusual to see more snakes during hurricane season. They explained that the hotter temperatures, heavier rainfall and humidity make them more active and thus more noticeable.

"Pythons and other snakes are exothermic, so they prefer to be active when it's warm and humid. They're tropical snakes," said Dr. Andrew Durso, a wildlife biologist and professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The invasive pythons are being removed by trappers because they are a danger to the environment. They wreak havoc on small and sometimes larger native Florida wildlife. They’ll even eat alligators

To aid in the eradication, Florida holds an annual competition to remove the snakes from the Everglades.

The Florida Python Challenge 2024 is officially accepting applicants. The competition will be held August 9-18.

Professional and novice hunters can compete for more than $25,000 in cash prizes.