The Burmese python — an apex predator that can grow over 18 feet long and eat animals larger than itself — has decimated native wildlife throughout much of South Florida.

A record haul marked this year's Florida Python Challenge, with nearly 300 Burmese pythons removed from the wild, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials.

Woman wins 2025 Florida Python Challenge as record amount of snakes removed The winner of the $10,000 ultimate grand prize this year was Taylor Stanberry, who removed a whopping 60 pythons.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida's python removal program has eliminated over 20 tons of Burmese pythons since 2013. Researchers use surgically implanted radio transmitters in male "scout ...