"This is a South Florida problem that is rapidly turning into a Central Florida problem." ...

A record-breaking result from Florida's annual python hunt is drawing attention — but for a sobering reason. Even after 294 Burmese pythons were removed in just 10 days, experts ...

The event also draws attention to the risks of releasing nonnative pets into the wild.

Florida scientists removed a record 177 Burmese pythons weighing over four tons, using innovative tracking methods to protect native wildlife from the invasive species.

Florida's python problem is widely tied to people importing exotic pets and releasing or losing them into the wild.

Taylor Stanberry won the 2025 Florida Python Challenge by eliminating 60 Burmese pythons. A record 294 pythons were removed during the 10-day competition. The event drew 934 participants from the U.S.

In Florida, the Burmese python has established itself as “a slithering menace that is wiping out species”, Galante says.

Last year, Taylor Stanberry caught 60 Burmese pythons with her bares hands—a state record. But this self-taught hunter says she doesn't enjoy killing the snakes, she just knows it's a necessity.