Record-Breaking Florida Python Challenge Removes Nearly 300 Invasive Snakes

Florida’s 2025 Python Challenge set a new record, with 294 Burmese pythons removed from the Everglades between July 11–20, state wildlife officials announced. The competition, designed to combat one of Florida’s most destructive invasive species, drew 934 participants from 30 U.S. states and Canada.

The top prize of $10,000 went to Taylor Stanberry, a venomous reptile specialist from Naples, who captured 60 pythons. Other standouts included Donna Kalil with 56 pythons in the professional category, Krista Hoekstra with 14 as a novice, and John Southworth leading the military category with 5.

The longest python caught measured nearly 16 feet, caught by novice Michael Marousky.

Since 2000, over 23,500 pythons have been removed from Florida’s wild areas. Numbers surged after the paid challenge launched in 2017, with over 1,400 removed during all competitions to date.

FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto called this year’s results “a big win for native wildlife,” stressing that collective removal efforts are vital to protect Florida’s ecosystem.