FWC announces winners of 2026 Florida Python Challenge to remove invasive pythons

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Hundreds of people from across the United States and beyond fanned out across south Florida during the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, removing 280 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem in a 10-day effort aimed at protecting native wildlife.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its partners announced the results and winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, an event designed to raise awareness about invasive species while engaging the public in Everglades conservation through the removal of Burmese pythons.

FWC said 907 participants from 30 states, as well as from Canada and Vietnam, took part in the competition.

A major development this year was the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official competition locations. The $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize went to Tom Rahill, who removed 96 Burmese pythons during the competition. FWC said all 96 were removed from Everglades National Park.

The longest python removed during the competition also came from Everglades National Park. Rahm Levinson removed a python measuring 16 feet, 5 inches.

“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,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Barreto also credited “the continued leadership of Gov. DeSantis” and said that 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, the efforts “continue to reduce the threat Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems.”

The 2026 Florida Python Challenge was hosted by FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, working with partners at the National Park Service and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

“Congratulations to the 2026 winners of the Florida Python Challenge! Removing Burmese pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the native species that call this area home,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “We continue to advance Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect this important ecosystem. We appreciate our partners at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Everglades National Park as we continue to work together to raise awareness about invasive species. The Python Challenge is a great way for the public to get involved in the protection of the Everglades and I want to thank everyone who participated in the 2026 Florida Python Challenge. Every python removed is making a difference. Long live the Everglades!”

“The Florida Python Challenge shows what is possible when we all come together around a shared conservation goal,” said Nick Wiley, executive director of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. “Each python removed helps conserve the native wildlife that makes the Everglades so extraordinary. We are proud to support this important effort and congratulate this year’s winners and thank all who took part.”

“We extend our gratitude to the many people involved in this year’s Florida Python Challenge, including all the staff and volunteers whose hard work helped make this yet another success,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “An event of this magnitude is only possible thanks to the support of Gov. DeSantis and our sponsors, and the continued close collaboration with our partners at the South Florida Water Management District, the National Park Service, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.”

Other prize winners included:

Professional category: Christina Kraus won the $2,500 Most Pythons prize with 36 pythons. Taylor Stanberry won the $1,500 runner-up prize with 34 pythons. Levinson won the $1,000 Longest Python prize with the 16-foot, 5-inch python.

Novice category: Bart Shreve won the $2,500 Most Pythons prize with nine pythons. Michael Marousky won the $1,500 runner-up prize with four pythons. Vincent Poole won the $1,000 Longest Python prize with a python measuring 8 feet, 2 inches.

Military category (active duty and veteran): Stephen Payton of the U.S. Army won the $2,500 Most Pythons prize with three pythons. Jonathan Miller of the U.S. Air Force won the $1,500 runner-up prize with two pythons. Jeffery “Heath” Roser of the U.S. Army won the $1,000 Longest Python prize with a python measuring 8 feet, 7 inches.

FWC said prizes were provided by sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The agency thanked Platinum Level Sponsor INVERSA for donating $10,000 to support conservation efforts through the challenge. FWC also listed four Gold Level Sponsors that donated $5,000 each: Mrs. Daphne and Mr. Martin C. Wood III, Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, and The Garcia Companies. Additional support came from Silver Level sponsors Robin Hanes and Geoffrey and Robbie Roepstorff, and Friends of Wildlife Level sponsor Rotary Clubs of Florida.

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles, primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida, FWC said. The agency said a female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time, and that since 2000, almost 28,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida’s environment and reported to FWC.

In addition to the annual challenge, FWC said python removal opportunities are available year-round on 32 Commission-managed lands. Burmese pythons may also be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission, with no permit or hunting license required, according to FWC.

The public can report pythons and other nonnative snakes, tegus and monitor lizards to FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681). Sightings of other nonnative fish and wildlife can be reported at IveGot1.org or through the free IveGot1 smartphone app. More information is available at MyFWC.com/Python and MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.