Who is Taylor Stanberry? Meet the first woman to win Florida Python Challenge
In July 2025, history was made in the Florida Python Challenge. For the first time, a woman took home the top prize — and she didn’t just win, she dominated. Taylor Stanberry, a 29-year-old from Naples, captured more Burmese pythons than anyone else in the competition, earning her a $10,000 reward and a spot in Florida wildlife control history.
More than 900 people from 30 different states and Canada signed up for this year’s challenge, setting a new record. In just 10 days, hunters removed 294 invasive Burmese pythons — massive snakes that have been wreaking havoc on Florida’s ecosystem. Out of all those participants, Taylor stood out by catching 60 pythons, securing her place as the first female grand prize winner.
Before we dive into her story, here’s a quick breakdown of what the Florida Python Challenge is and why it matters.
What is the Florida Python Challenge?
The Florida Python Challenge is an annual statewide event run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District. It’s designed to encourage the public to help remove invasive Burmese pythons from the wild.
These snakes are invasive species, meaning they aren’t native to Florida but have established themselves in the wild and are causing harm to local wildlife. Invasive species often have no natural predators, which allows them to multiply quickly and upset the balance of the ecosystem. For example, Burmese pythons prey on native animals like rabbits, birds, and even small deer.
The challenge offers big cash prizes for the hunters who remove the most pythons during a 10-day window. In 2025, the event was held from July 11 to July 20 and included new hunting grounds, such as Everglades National Park.
Taylor Stanberry’s Record-Breaking Win
Taylor Stanberry may be just 4 feet 11 inches tall, but her python hunting skills are giant. During the challenge, she managed to catch 60 snakes — including 30 hatchlings in a single nest one night.
The biggest snake she caught during the event measured between 9.5 and 10 feet, more than double her height. And just before the competition began, she even caught a 12-footer (though it didn’t count toward her official total).
Taylor has been hunting pythons for over a decade, usually alongside her husband Rhett. This was her first time entering the official challenge, but she’s no stranger to Florida wildlife control. She’s also a python removal contractor for the FWC, runs a small exotic animal rescue, and shares her adventures with nearly 69,000 Instagram followers and over 227,000 YouTube subscribers.
Her Life Outside the Hunt
When she’s not wrestling snakes in the Everglades, Taylor works at a canine physical therapy rehab center. She’s been fascinated with wildlife since childhood, catching toads and fishing with her dad. Over the years, her passion for animals evolved into global travel, where she photographs and films snakes in their natural habitats.
She plans to use her $10,000 prize money to improve enclosures for her rescued animals and cover the travel and gas expenses needed for more python hunting trips.
How the Florida Python Challenge Helps
Florida’s python problem is serious. Burmese pythons, originally brought to the state through the exotic pet trade, have no natural predators here and can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. The Florida Python Challenge is part of a broader invasive species removal strategy to protect native wildlife.
Over the years, this event has led to the removal of more than 1,100 pythons. Last year’s challenge saw 195 snakes taken out of the ecosystem, while 2025 broke the record with 294.
For Florida residents concerned about wildlife damage prevention and environmental conservation, events like this are crucial. They raise awareness, encourage community participation, and make a measurable difference.
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Do You Need a License to Hunt Pythons?
Here’s some good news for anyone inspired by Taylor’s win — in Florida, you don’t need a special python hunting license or permit to remove these snakes. The FWC actively encourages hunting them year-round.
Hunters with experience removing large snakes or other reptiles are preferred, especially Florida residents and military veterans. If you’re interested, the FWC website lists open applications for python removal contractor programs.
That said, hunting pythons isn’t for the faint of heart. These snakes are strong, fast, and can be aggressive when threatened. It takes skill, patience, and knowledge of their habitats to be successful.
Taylor’s Advice for New Hunters
When asked for tips, Taylor stressed one thing: persistence. Some nights, you might not find a single snake. Other nights, you could stumble upon a nest of hatchlings and pull out dozens in one go.
Her advice to beginners: Learn where to look, understand python behavior, and put in the time. If you stay patient and consistent, you’ll eventually get results.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Win Matters
Taylor’s victory isn’t just about the $10,000. It’s about breaking stereotypes in a field often dominated by men and showing that passion, skill, and dedication matter more than size or strength.
It also shines a spotlight on Florida’s ongoing battle with invasive species and the role everyday people can play in environmental protection.
Key Takeaways
- Taylor Stanberry became the first woman to win the Florida Python Challenge, catching 60 snakes in 10 days.
- The event is part of Florida’s invasive species control strategy and offers big cash prizes.
- You don’t need a license to hunt pythons in Florida.
- Persistence, knowledge, and safety are key to successful python hunting.
Taylor’s story is proof that passion for wildlife can turn into record-breaking achievements. She’s not just catching snakes — she’s helping protect Florida’s ecosystem and inspiring a new wave of hunters to step up and make a difference.
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