One python hunter walked away $10,000 richer on Wednesday after the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unveiled the winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge. This annual event isn’t just a contest; it’s a hands-on conservation push, all about spotlighting the threat of the invasive Burmese python and protecting the Everglades’ ecosystem.
The competition kicked off back in 2013 as a month-long contest, had a brief return in 2016, and since 2020, it’s been an annual 10-day tradition. For 2026, the event ran from July 10 to July 19. This year drew a crowd: 907 python hunters from across 30 states, Canada, and Vietnam, all chasing pythons through the Florida wilds. Together, they captured 280 Burmese pythons. That’s not just a number, as each one helps tip the scale back toward balance in the Everglades.
Tom Rahill stood out, nabbing 96 snakes on his own. That haul earned him the $10,000 grand prize, outpacing last year’s winner, Taylor Stanberry, who wrangled 60 pythons and made history as the first woman to take home the top spot. “The Lord has blessed me greatly,” Rahill said about his win. As a seasoned python hunter and an environmental advocate, Rahill’s been removing pythons for more than a decade. He also founded Swamp Apes, a nonprofit that connects veterans, first responders, and their families with conservation work in the field.
During the challenge, Rahill helped a veteran take down a massive 17-foot snake, another win for teamwork and the environment. But Rahill wasn’t the only one leaving with a prize. FWC handed out nine other awards in professional, novice, and military categories, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.
One big change this year: Everglades National Park rejoined as an official competition site, bringing the total to eight locations. The park played a starring role, too. Every python Rahill removed came from the Everglades, making a tangible difference in one of the world’s most unique environments. And Rahm Levinson pulled from the park the contest’s longest snake, a jaw-dropping 16-footer.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto didn’t mince words when he called this year’s haul a “major victory” for Florida wildlife, the result of strong partnerships and engaged citizens. Since the Florida Python Challenge launched, hunters have removed over 1,600 pythons; FWC and the South Florida Water Management District contractors have taken out over 19,000 since 2017. These relentless efforts are shrinking the Burmese python threat, one snake at a time.
This competition depends on many hands: FWC, the South Florida Water Management District, the National Park Service, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida all pulled together to make it happen. South Florida Water Management District’s Ron Bergeron summed up the feeling: every python caught protects native species and keeps the Everglades alive. “Long live the Everglades!” he said, thanking everyone for their role.
The support doesn’t end there. Nick Wiley, executive director of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, praised the way the event brings people together for a shared cause and highlighted the impact of each snake removed. FWC Executive Director Roger Young echoed that, crediting staff, volunteers, sponsors, and all the partners who made the event possible.
The Florida Python Challenge shows what’s possible when people care enough to get dirty, get involved, and fight for the future of the Everglades, python by python.
Here’s the full roundup of winners from the 2026 Florida Python Challenge:
Ultimate Grand Prize
Tom Rahill took home the top honor and $10,000 after removing an incredible 96 pythons.
Professional Division
Christina Kraus led the pros with 36 snakes and earned $2,500 for her effort.
Taylor Stanberry came in as runner-up, collecting $1,500 after catching 34 pythons.
Rahm Levinson won $1,000 for capturing the longest python in the pro group — a monster stretching 16 feet, 5 inches.
Novice Division
Bart Shreve was the top novice, catching 9 pythons and winning $2,500.
Michael Marousky followed as runner-up with 4 pythons, earning $1,500.
The $1,000 prize for longest python in this division went to Vincent Poole, who wrangled a snake measuring 8 feet, 2 inches.
Military – Active Duty and Veterans
Stephen Payton, representing the U.S. Army, won $2,500 after removing 3 pythons.
Jonathan Miller from the U.S. Air Force was runner-up, catching 2 pythons and winning $1,500.
Jeffery “Heath” Roser of the U.S. Army scored $1,000 for hauling in an 8-foot, 7-inch python — the longest in this category.
