Key points: Burmese pythons are now considered established across much of South Florida, with a new satellite population reported in western Charlotte County. The FWC warns these large constrictors have few predators and pose major risks to native and endangered species; most captured in Florida measure 6–10 feet though the species can exceed 20 feet. In the 2025 Python Challenge, Taylor Stanberry won the $10,000 grand prize after capturing 60 pythons and later founded a nonprofit sanctuary; competition efforts removed nearly 300 pythons overall.
Burmese Pythons Push Beyond the Everglades — Who Won the 2025 Python Challenge?
Burmese pythons have new foothold outside Everglades. Who won 2025 hunt?
Burmese pythons — large, invasive constrictor snakes with few natural predators in Florida — have established a broader foothold across South Florida beyond their historical heartland in the Everglades, state wildlife officials say.
Range Expansion And New Satellite Population
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that Burmese pythons are now considered established from just south of Lake Okeechobee down to Key Largo, and from western Broward County west to Collier County. Because these snakes are often cryptic, officials say it can take repeated observations to confirm new areas of establishment.
In addition to that core range, a spokesperson told ABC News that a "new satellite population" has been identified in western Charlotte County, north of the Naples and Fort Myers areas.
Threats To Wildlife, Pets And People
The FWC warns that adult Burmese pythons have few natural predators in Florida and frequently prey on native species — including animals that are threatened or endangered. Their presence is considered one of the biggest ecological threats to the regions they invade.
These constrictors can also threaten household pets and, in rare cases, people. Pythons can consume single meals equivalent to nearly 100% of their body mass. While the species can exceed 20 feet in length, most individuals captured in Florida measure between six and 10 feet.
Adult pythons are typically tan with dark, interlocking blotches that resemble puzzle pieces or giraffe-like markings. They also have dark wedges along the top and bottom of their heads and behind their eyes, making them distinctive compared with native snake species.
Python Challenge: 2025 Results And 2026 Effort
Florida's statewide Python Challenge draws hobbyists and professional hunters who remove invasive pythons from the Everglades and surrounding areas. According to the FWC, more than 200 invasive pythons were removed from South Florida during the 2025 hunt, and overall competition efforts involving more than 900 participants resulted in the removal of 294 pythons during that event.
In 2025, professional hunter Taylor Stanberry of Naples captured 60 pythons and won the $10,000 grand prize in her first year competing. National Geographic reports that she used the prize money to found Wild Stanberry's Sanctuary, a Naples-based nonprofit. Stanberry was the first woman to win the challenge since its 2013 inception.
The most recent Python Challenge ran from July 10 to July 19, 2026; as of this report, no official winner for that event had been announced. The FWC continues to incentivize removal efforts with separate prize categories for novices and professionals.
What Residents Can Do
FWC asks the public to report python sightings, never release pet snakes into the wild, and follow local guidance on safe encounters with wildlife. Early reporting helps wildlife managers track and respond to new populations before they grow.
Sources: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; ABC News; National Geographic; USA TODAY.
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