Woman Wins 2025 Florida Python Challenge After Removing More Invasive Snakes Than Anyone Else

A woman who caught 60 invasive pythons in South Florida in just 10 days has won $10,000.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the winner of its annual Florida Python Challenge on Wednesday, Aug. 13. This year, the event removed a record 294 Burmese pythons from the wild.

According to the FWC, 934 participants from 30 states and Canada joined the challenge. During the 10-day event, which started on July 11, hunters tried to catch as many pythons as possible in the Florida Everglades.

Taylor Stanberry, who captured 60 Burmese pythons during the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, won the grand prize. According to her Instagram, she is a “venomous keeper” and “relocator” and has been called the “new queen of the Everglades.”

“The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades this year is a big win for native wildlife,” said FWC chairman Rodney Barreto. “With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events so far, and over 16,000 removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, teamwork is key to protecting Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems.”

Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, said the challenge and record participation show the “importance of citizen engagement as we tackle one of the toughest conservation challenges of our time: invasive exotic animals and plants.”

Other winners included hunters who caught dozens of pythons and a prize for the “longest” snake captured.

According to CBS News, these reptiles are originally from Asia and likely entered the wild through the exotic pet trade. Female Burmese pythons lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time, which allows their population to grow quickly. Since 2000, more than 23,000 pythons have been removed from the Everglades.

To join the challenge, participants had to pass an online training, according to the event’s website. They also had to humanely kill the pythons. Firearms, dogs, or other animals were not allowed.

“We could not have done this without the support of our partners at the South Florida Water Management District and the National Park Service,” said Roger Young, FWC executive director. “Adding Everglades National Park as an official Python Challenge location gave competitors a new opportunity and helped raise public awareness about invasive Burmese pythons and how people can help.”