Recently, at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) August Commission Meeting, the FWC and partners announced the results and winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™, an event intended to raise awareness about invasive species while engaging the public in Everglades conservation through removal of invasive Burmese pythons. Over the course of the 10-day event, 907 Python Challenge participants from 30 different states, as well as from Canada and Vietnam, collectively removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.
A highlight of this year’s event was the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Python Challenge competition locations. This year’s Ultimate Grand Prize winner of $10,000 was Tom Rahill, who removed 96 Burmese pythons during the competition — all of which were removed from Everglades National Park, contributing directly to Everglades conservation. The longest python of the competition was also removed from Everglades National Park, measuring 16 feet, 5 inches, and removed by Rahm Levinson. Additional winners for longest pythons and most pythons removed in the Professional, Novice, and Military categories, are detailed below.
The number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during the 2026 Florida Python Challenge is a major victory for Florida’s native wildlife and a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and public participation. The 2026 Florida Python Challenge was a resounding success, made possible by the dedication of our staff, the generous support of our partners, the continued leadership of Gov. DeSantis and the commitment of the many competitors who participated in this year’s event. With more than 1,600 pythons removed through Florida Python Challenge events to date and more than 19,000 removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, these collective efforts continue to reduce the threat Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems.
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge was hosted by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, working closely with partners at the National Park Service and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
2026 Florida Python Challenge Prize Winners:
ULTIMATE GRAND PRIZE Awarded to the participant who removes the most pythons as part of the competition. $10,000 …… Tom Rahill ……………………………96 pythons
PROFESSIONAL
Most Pythons Prize $2,500 ……… Christina Kraus………………………………..36 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize $1,500………. Taylor Stanberry……………..34 pythons
Longest Python Prize $1,000………. Rahm Levinson……………………….16 feet, 5 inches
NOVICE
Most Pythons Prize $2,500 ………. Bart Shreve……………………………………….9 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize $1,500 ……… Michael Marousky……………. 4 pythons
Longest Python Prize $1,000………. Vincent Poole…………………………..8 feet, 2 inches
MILITARY – Active Duty and Veteran
Most Pythons Prize $2,500………. Stephen Payton – U.S. Army……………….. 3 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize $1,500….Jonathan Miller – U.S. Air Force…2 pythons
Longest Python Prize $1,000 Jeffery “Heath” Roser – U.S. Army 8 feet, 7 inches
Prizes for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge are courtesy of our sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. We thank Platinum Level Sponsor INVERSA™, for generously donating $10,000 to support conservation efforts through the Florida Python Challenge. We also thank this year’s four Gold Level Sponsors for their donations of $5,000 each in support of conservation efforts through this event: Mrs. Daphne & Mr. Martin C. Wood III, Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands and The Garcia Companies. Additional support was generously provided by sponsors at the Silver Level ($2,000+) – Robin Hanes, Geoffrey and Robbie Roepstorff – and sponsors at the Friends of Wildlife Level ($500+) – Rotary Clubs of Florida. More information can be found on our sponsor and partner page at FLPythonChallenge.org.
About Invasive Burmese Pythons
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida, where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since the year 2000, almost 28,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida’s environment and reported to the FWC.
In addition to the annual Florida Python Challenge, python removal opportunities are available year-round on 32 Commission-managed lands and Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required. The FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill invasive pythons from private lands whenever possible. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.
The public can also help by reporting pythons and other nonnative snakes, tegus and monitor lizards to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), and by reporting sightings of other nonnative fish and wildlife online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the free IveGot1 smartphone app. More information on nonnative species can be found at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
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