Hunters removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida during the 10-day 2026 Florida Python Challenge, state officials announced today.
Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, the annual conservation event drew 907 participants from 30 states, Canada, and Vietnam. This year marked the return of Everglades National Park as an official partner and competition location.
Tom Rahill claimed the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize by capturing 96 pythons, all taken from Everglades National Park. Rahm Levinson caught the competition’s longest python, which measured 16 feet, 5 inches, also within the national park.
The event aims to curb the population of invasive pythons, which pose a severe threat to native wildlife in the Everglades.
“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,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement.
Barreto noted that more than 1,600 pythons have been taken out through Python Challenge events to date, while state contractors have removed over 19,000 pythons since 2017.
“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. “The Python Challenge is a great way for the public to get involved in the protection of the Everglades.”
Winners were named across several categories:
- Ultimate Grand Prize ($10,000): Tom Rahill (96 pythons)
- Professional Most Pythons ($2,500): Christina Kraus (36 pythons); Runner-Up ($1,500): Taylor Stanberry (34 pythons)
- Professional Longest Python ($1,000): Rahm Levinson (16 feet, 5 inches)
- Novice Most Pythons ($2,500): Bart Shreve (9 pythons); Runner-Up ($1,500): Michael Marousky (4 pythons)
- Novice Longest Python ($1,000): Vincent Poole (8 feet, 2 inches)
- Military Most Pythons ($2,500): Stephen Payton, U.S. Army (3 pythons); Runner-Up ($1,500): Jonathan Miller, U.S. Air Force (2 pythons)
- Military Longest Python ($1,000): Jeffery “Heath” Roser, U.S. Army (8 feet, 7 inches)
Prize money was provided by sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Corporate and individual donors included Platinum Sponsor INVERSA™, alongside Gold Sponsors Mrs. Daphne & Mr. Martin C. Wood III, the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, and The Garcia Companies.
Additional backing came from Silver Sponsors Robin Hanes and Geoffrey and Robbie Roepstorff, as well as the Rotary Clubs of Florida.
“Each python removed helps conserve the native wildlife that makes the Everglades so extraordinary,” said Nick Wiley, executive director of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
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