FLORIDA – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and partners announced the results of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, saying 907 participants from 30 states, plus Canada and Vietnam, removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida during the 10-day event.
Everglades National Park returned as a partner and one of eight official competition locations. Tom Rahill won the $10,000 ultimate grand prize after removing 96 pythons — all taken from Everglades National Park. The longest python in the competition, measuring 16 feet, 5 inches, was removed from Everglades National Park by Rahm Levinson.
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FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto called the results “a major victory for Florida’s native wildlife,” noting the challenge’s role in broader removal efforts. He said more than 1,600 pythons have been removed through Florida Python Challenge events to date and that FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors have removed more than 19,000 pythons since 2017.
South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron and Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida executive director Nick Wiley praised the public participation and partnerships that supported the event. FWC Executive Director Roger Young thanked staff, volunteers, sponsors and partner agencies for their work.
2026 Florida Python Challenge prize winners
Ultimate grand prize
- Tom Rahill — $10,000; 96 pythons
Professional
- Most pythons, $2,500: Christina Kraus — 36 pythons
- Runner-up, $1,500: Taylor Stanberry — 34 pythons
- 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
- Longest python, $1,000: Vincent Poole — 8 feet, 2 inches
Military (active duty and veteran)
- Most pythons, $2,500: Stephen Payton, U.S. Army — 3 pythons
- Runner-up, $1,500: Jonathan Miller, U.S. Air Force — 2 pythons
- Longest python, $1,000: Jeffery “Heath” Roser, U.S. Army — 8 feet, 7 inches
The event was hosted by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, with support from the National Park Service and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.