South Florida wildlife officials are holding a competition they hope will help eradicate invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Python Challenge will kickoff on Jan. 12 in Fort Lauderdale, the FWC announced Wednesday.

Florida python permit holders and the general public will get a chance to compete in the month-long competition to see who can harvest the longest and the most Burmese pythons.

Grand prizes of $1,500 for harvesting the most Burmese pythons will be awarded to winners of both the general competition and the python permit holders competition, with additional $1,000 prizes for the longest Burmese python harvested in both competitions.

In addition to removing the pythons, one of the goals of the challenge is to educate the public of the dangers the reptiles pose to the Everglades ecosystem. Florida prohibits possession or sale of Burmese pythons for use as pets, and federal law bans the importation and interstate sale of the species.

Python Patrol Reveals Everglades' Snake Problem
Largest Burmese Python Caught in Florida

"Part of the goal of the Python Challenge is to educate the public to understand why nonnative species like Burmese pythons should never be released into the wild and encourage people to report sightings of exotic species," Kristin Sommers, head of FWC's Exotic Species Coordination Section, said in a statement. "We also expect the competitive harvesting of Burmese pythons to result in additional information on the python population in south Florida and enhance our research and management efforts."

For more information on the Python Challenge visit PythonChallenge.org.

More content from NBCNews.com:

• 2012 warmest year in US? Odds rise to 99.7 percent
• Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization
• Abortion mandate costs Planned Parenthood a few affiliates
• Contest to kill Burmese pythons in Everglades includes $1,500 grand prizes
• Video: $45 million worth of cocaine hauled in from sea

Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

A Florida airboat captain who lost his hand to a 9-foot alligator last month now faces charges of unlawful feeding of a gator.

Wallace Weatherholt, 63, was arrested and charged with the misdemeanor Friday, the Fort Myers News-Press reported. The Everglades City airboat captain posted a $1,000 bond and is set to appear in court Aug. 22.

According to the News-Press, Weatherholt was leading a family on a tour of the Everglades on June 12 when the alligator bit his hand off at the wrist.

Alligator killed after biting off hand of Everglades airboat captain

The family on the tour said Weatherholt hung a fish over the side of the boat, The Associated Press reported, and had his hand just above the water when the alligator attacked.

"I was kind of freaked out about that because that's kind of weird," Everglades City resident Sarah Goff told NBC affiliate WBBH at the time. "You don't feed them. They can get used to that and get aggressive."

The gator was captured and killed after the attack so the man's hand could be retrieved from the animal's stomach, Florida Fish and Wildlife officers told WBBH. The hand was found, but it could not be reattached.

Feeding gators is illegal, and those who feed an alligator face a second-degree misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500 and possible jail time, the News-Press reported.

David Weathers, an alligator trapper and owner of several alligators, told the News-Press gators have a natural fear of humans, but once they are fed by humans, they lose that fear.

“If they see us, they take off. They see us as these giants hovering over them. They’re not going to attack unless they’ve been fed," Weathers told the newspaper.

More content from NBCNews.com:

• Family: Mom wounded in Aurora suffers miscarriage
• Sources: Kidnap victim found tied up in detective's garage
• 3 killed in Pa.; suspect fled with daughter, 4
• Video: 'Full of life' -- Colo. victims mourned
• 'Feathers and blood': Bird hits boy in face on rollercoaster

Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. – An alligator bit off the hand of an Everglades airboat captain Tuesday in front of startled tourists, NBC station WBBH reported.

The victim, Wallace Weatherholt, 63, works for Captain Doug's Everglades Tours in Everglades City, according to WBBH of Fort Myers.

The gator was captured and killed after the attack so the man's hand could be retrieved from the animal's stomach, Florida Fish and Wildlife officers said. The hand was sent to NCH Hospital in Naples, where the victim was taken after the attack, but it is unclear if doctors were able to reattach it.

Based on witness accounts, wildlife officials suspect Weatherholt may have illegally fed the 9-foot gator. Despite having his hand bit off, Weatherholt could be charged with second-degree misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail if found guilty. An investigation is ongoing and officers asked any additional witnesses to come forward.

"I was kind of freaked out about that because that's kind of weird," said Everglades City resident Sarah Goff. "You don't feed them. They can get used to that and get aggressive."

See the original story at NBC-2.com, WBBH

Neighbors told WBBH the victim is a very kind man.

"He was a nice guy and I'm really sorry for what happened to him," said Olga Pereira.

Wildlife officers say the unfortunate incident is a reminder of why it is illegal to touch, harass or feed alligators.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

• Blinded soldier aims for Paralympic Games in London
• Gay marriage battle goes before voters in Washington
• White student returns college scholarship meant for blacks
• Boy Scouts board member opposes anti-gay policy
• Video: Caught on camera: Toddler tossed during car chase

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook