Record Haul at 2025 Florida Python Challenge

This year’s Florida Python Challenge ended with record-breaking results: nearly 300 Burmese pythons captured.

Held each summer, the event invites hunters from across the country to help curb the invasive snake population threatening South Florida’s ecosystem. The 2025 competition drew 934 participants from 30 states.

Over 10 days in July, hunters removed 294 pythons. The top prize of $10,000 went to a competitor who caught 60 snakes. Other awards recognized the longest python and most caught by rookies.

The challenge is more than a contest—it’s part of a statewide conservation effort. Burmese pythons have wiped out an estimated 95% of small mammals in parts of the Everglades. With females capable of laying up to 100 eggs, the population has exploded in recent decades. Estimates range from tens of thousands to 300,000 snakes across Florida.

Since 2000, over 23,000 pythons have been removed, but officials warn that the battle is far from over. The snakes’ camouflage and nocturnal habits make them hard to detect.

This year’s record haul demonstrates both the challenge’s growing popularity and its impact. “It’s about protecting Florida’s wildlife,” said state officials. “Every python taken out means a better chance for native animals to survive.”