The big hunt for Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades is entering its final hours.

More than 1,500 people registered to hunt the invasive species on South Florida public lands. They have until midnight Sunday to catch and kill a python. The carcasses must be turned in by 5 p.m. Monday to qualify for the cash prizes offered as part of the state's "Python Challenge."

Once University of Florida researchers finish examining the snakes, hunters will get to keep the skins.

The hunt began Jan. 12. As of Friday, 50 pythons have been killed as part of the hunt.

The hunt's final tally will be announced Feb. 16 at Zoo Miami, where officials will award prizes to the hunters who caught the most pythons and who caught the longest pythons.