The results are in from the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, and wildlife officials say hundreds of invasive Burmese pythons were removed from the Everglades during the annual competition.

More than 900 participants from 30 states took part in the 10-day event, capturing and removing 280 Burmese pythons from South Florida’s ecosystem, including one measuring an impressive 16 feet, 5 inches long.

The competition’s top honors went to Tom Rahill, who captured an astounding 96 pythons during the challenge in just a week and a half. Rahill was recognized Wednesday during a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting for his efforts.

“I actually had two hip replacements in the past nine months,” Rahill said. “Two months ago, my PT, my doctor was saying, ‘You can’t go out there.’ I did go out there and I got that big snake for that person, I got those other snakes. It’s a blessing.”

Rahill received the competition’s $10,000 grand prize for removing the most pythons.

The Florida Python Challenge is held each year to help reduce the population of invasive Burmese pythons, which threaten native wildlife in the Everglades by preying on birds, mammals and reptiles. Wildlife officials say every snake removed helps protect Florida’s fragile ecosystem.

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