Latest news with #TaylorStanberry
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
First woman to win the Florida Python Challenge celebrates her victory
Florida Python Challenge winner Taylor Stanberry breaks down her victory in the annual event on 'Fox Report.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Snake-wrangling YouTuber hunts down 60 invasive pythons for Florida competition
On an island in the middle of the Florida Everglades, Taylor Stanberry — mostly nocturnal in the summer catching Burmese pythons — uncovered a wriggling nest of 30 baby pythons. The discovery helped the Naples resident land first place in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, which drew 934 hunters competing to make a dent in the state's invasive Burmese python population, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Aug. 13. 'I've been catching pythons for 11 years, so it kind of gets to be just like another day in the office,' Stanberry told McClatchy News on Aug. 15. 'But it is always fun actually finding fresh babies along with the eggs, because that is such a hard thing to do.' The competitors estimated that the timing of this year's contest, which ran July 11 to 20, and the discovery of the nests helped bolster the removal numbers. Last year, the first place winner caught 20 pythons during the contest, which was held nearly a month later than this year's, McClatchy News reported last September. This year's competitors hauled in a record 294 snakes, with 40% of those coming from two women alone. Stanberry is one and Donna Kalil is the other, winning the most pythons prize in the professional category with 56 snakes, beating her 19 pythons from last year. 'Being the first female ultimate grand prize winner is a huge honor, because I know the other women that competed are awesome, like Donna won first place in a professional category,' Stanberry said. Stanberry and her husband have a large following on YouTube and social media, where they showcase their encounters with wildlife in Florida and around the world, mostly focusing on snakes. They also run a wildlife sanctuary with over 150 venomous snakes, and relocate venomous snakes in southwest Florida, Stanberry said. 'Me and my husband especially, we try to work really hard on saving wildlife and educating people on wildlife. So finally getting some recognition on the hard work that we've been doing means a lot,' said Stanberry, who took home a $10,000 prize for first place. Stanberry and her husband make educational videos about snakes to help reduce the creatures' bad reputation. Their YouTube channel has nearly 230,000 subscribers. In one YouTube video, Stanberry holds a venomous coral snake, explaining the differences between the species and other similar-looking snakes. In another video, she pulls a rattlesnake out of a pool with a snake hook. 'So it's really about just educating people that snakes really aren't bad,' she said. 'That's one thing I hate about the hunting of the pythons, in a sense, that everyone's just like, 'yeah, kill the snakes.' I'm like, 'No, it's not about killing snakes. It's about saving the other snakes.'' Burmese pythons, one of the largest snake species in the world, currently run unchecked in the Everglades with few natural predators, FWC biologists say. Pythons aren't picky about what they eat either, feasting on 'mammals, birds, reptiles and protected species such as the federally designated threatened wood stork and the federally-designated endangered Key Largo woodrat,' according to the FWC. 'Burmese pythons can consume meals equivalent to 100% their body mass.' Stanberry's desire to help native wildlife drives her to even become partly nocturnal during the summer months, when python hunting is only possible at night. Stanberry and her husband, and sometimes friends who like to come along, will brave the heat and bugs and hike out into the swamp, drive out to trails in a vehicle, take electric bikes or motor around in a johnboat looking for the invasive species. When Stanberry goes out looking for pythons, she said she also enjoys seeing other native wildlife like alligators, owls and snakes. 'So then that really motivates you, especially when you're in a rural area and you see bobcats and you know, they're the perfect python meal size,' she said. 'So it's like, OK, we gotta capture the pythons so we can continue to see all of this wildlife.' Other winners of this year's tournament include Michael Marousky, who took home the longest python prize with a 15-foot, 11-inch catch. Others caught pythons measuring 9 feet and 11 feet. 'I just want people to hunt pythons for the right reason,' Stanberry said. 'Don't do it just because it's fun to catch a big snake and kill it, you know, because that's not why I do it. It's really just about saving native wildlife and helping lower the python population.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Who is Taylor Stanberry? Meet the first woman to win Florida Python Challenge
For the first time, a woman won the Florida Python Challenge in July and collected her $10,000 reward this week. More than 900 people from 30 different states and even some from Canada participated in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge last month, removing a record-breaking number of 294 invasive Burmese Pythons in just 10 days. But there was one Florida-native python hunter who removed more of the gigantic snakes than anyone else who participated, securing a $10,000 prize that was awarded to her by the FWC this week. Taylor Stanberry, who stands at less than half the height of most of the snakes she catches, pulled in a whopping 60 pythons during the challenge. Here's what we know about Taylor and what the Python Challenge is, if you aren't familiar. Q&A with the winner: Florida Python Challenge winner captured 60 snakes and $10K. How she did it How does the Florida Python Challenge work? The Florida Python Challenge is one of the many efforts the FWC has in place to keep the python population in the state as low as possible. It offers a cash prize to the python hunter who removes the most pythons over a 10-day period. Although the event is usually held in August, it was held in July this year and included a broader range of hunting grounds. This year, the challenge began on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m. and lasted through Sunday, July 20 at 5 p.m. 'The event, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons,' the FWC's website says. 'An exciting addition to this year's event is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.' Throughout the yearly python challenges, more than 1,100 of the invasive snakes have been removed. Last year's challenge alone removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons. This year, 294 snakes were removed. More about Taylor: Florida Python Challenge winner nabbed 60 pythons Who won the Florida Python Challenge in 2025? Taylor Stanberry, a Naples native, was the 2025 Florida Python Challenge winner. She captured 60 of the invasive snakes, finding 30 of those (hatchlings) in a single nest during one night of the challenge. Stanberry told The Naples Daily News that although she's been python hunting with her husband, Rhett, for years (she has more than a decade of experience), this was her first time participating in the challenge. The biggest python Stanberry caught in this year's challenge was between 9.5 and 10 feet long, more than double her height at 4-feet, 11-inches. Don't worry, she's aware that her height is one of the most recognizable things about her. She's known to her almost 69,000 Instagram followers as @taylor2short. Stanberry said that she also caught a 12-footer the day before the challenge kicked off, which obviously did not count toward her total of 60, since it was before the official start of the challenge. 'I have been catching pythons for over 10 years. It's all about knowing what areas to hunt, what habitat to look for and just putting in the time,' Stanberry said. 'Some nights I go out and won't find a single python, then other nights, I'll find a nest of 60 babies (hatchlings)! I would tell newbie hunters to just put in the time. I've heard from some that they've hunted for a few hours and caught nothing.' Who is Taylor Stanberry? Meet the 2025 Python Challenge winner Stanberry is a 29-year-old Naples native and the first woman to win the Florida Python Challenge grand prize. She works at a canine physical therapy rehab center, is a python contractor with the FWC, runs a small exotic animal rescue and posts online about her adventures with her husband to the tune of almost 69,000 Instagram followers and 227,000 YouTube subscribers. 'I've been looking for wildlife since I was a little kid. I used to go fishing with my dad and we would catch toads and I would bring them home to play with them,' Stanberry said. 'As I've gotten older, I've started traveling around the world looking for wildlife, especially snakes, to video and photograph.' She told The Daily News that she plans to use the prize money to expand her animals' enclosures and pay for gas to do more of what she does best: python hunt. How much is a license to hunt pythons in Florida? Since pythons are invasive and plentiful, you don't need a license or permit to hunt them in Florida. Hunting them in Florida is encouraged because Burmese pythons have very few predators. That's why the FWC runs the statewide python challenge to get the public involved in the hunt for the massive, invasive snakes. Although the chances of completely eradicating pythons from South Florida are low, the hunt helps control their numbers. "Hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists with experience removing pythons or other large constrictors from the wild are encouraged to apply, with preference given to Florida residents and military veterans," the Fort Myers News-Press reported last year. The FWC also has a Python Action Team that hires contractors to kill the invasive snakes. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida Python Challenge winner Taylor Stanberry caught 60 snakes Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Record-breaking python hunt: Florida woman wins grand prize for removing massive number of pythons
A Florida woman has won the 2025 Florida Python Challenge after removing 60 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, winning the grand prize of $10,000. Taylor Stanberry outperformed 934 participants from 30 U.S. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now states and Canada in a 10-day competition aimed at controlling the spread of this dangerous species. The event, held from July 11 to 20, saw a record 294 pythons removed from the wild, highlighting both the scale of the infestation and the critical role of citizen engagement in conservation. Officials described Stanberry's achievement as a major win for Florida's native wildlife. Taylor Stanberry's record-breaking python achievement Taylor Stanberry, a Naples resident and self-described 'venomous keeper' and 'relocator,' captured 60 pythons during the challenge, more than any other participant. Known as the 'new queen of the Everglades,' she demonstrated exceptional skill and patience, contributing significantly to efforts to curb the Burmese python population in Florida. Burmese pythons are highly adaptable and can lay 50–100 eggs at a time, making them a persistent threat to the Everglades' delicate ecosystem. Her accomplishment underscores how individual action can make a measurable difference in wildlife conservation and sets a high benchmark for future competitors. The Florida Python Challenge : purpose and participation The Florida Python Challenge is an annual event organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to reduce the number of invasive pythons and raise public awareness about their impact on native ecosystems. This year, 934 participants competed across eight official locations, including Everglades National Park, to capture the most pythons within the 10-day window. Participants must complete online training and adhere to humane python-killing guidelines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Firearms, dogs, or other animals are not permitted, emphasizing safe and responsible removal. Conservation impact and community engagement The record removal of 294 pythons in 2025 represents a milestone in ongoing conservation efforts. FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto noted, 'With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events to date and over 16,000 pythons removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, collective efforts are the key to continuing to address the threats Burmese pythons pose to Florida's native wildlife and ecosystems. ' Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, added that the challenge highlighted the importance of citizen participation in tackling invasive species. Understanding the threat of Burmese pythons Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia but have become one of Florida's most notorious invasive species due to the exotic pet trade. Their rapid reproduction and adaptability threaten the natural food chain in the Everglades, impacting native species and the overall ecosystem. Since 2000, over 23,000 pythons have been removed from the wild, but the challenge continues to play a crucial role in controlling their population. The annual event educates the public about the ecological risks and encourages responsible participation in wildlife management. Other competition highlights Aside from the grand prize winner, participants competed in various categories, including the 'longest python' captured. Taylor Stanberry's success has brought additional attention to the Python Challenge, inspiring new participants and emphasizing the importance of collaboration with partners like the South Florida Water Management District and the National Park Service. The inclusion of Everglades National Park as an official competition site this year provided both a new challenge and an opportunity to raise public awareness about the ongoing threat posed by invasive Burmese pythons.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Wins 2025 Florida Python Challenge After Removing More Invasive Snakes Than Anyone Else
A total of 934 participants from 30 states and Canada took part in the annual challenge this year NEED TO KNOW A woman has won the 2025 Florida Python Challenge's grand prize after removing 60 invasive snakes from the Everglades Taylor Stanberry came out victorious after competing with 934 participants from 30 states and Canada to see who could remove the most snakes from the Florida Everglades in 10 days "The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this year's competition is a big win for native wildlife," FWC chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement A woman who removed 60 invasive pythons from South Florida in just 10 days is now $10,000 richer. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the winner of its annual Florida Python Challenge on Wednesday, Aug. 13, after the event removed a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. According to the FWC, 934 participants from 30 states and Canada took part in the challenge this year. During the event, hunters attempted to remove the most pythons from the Florida Everglades in a 10-day period, which began on July 11. The grand-prize winner of this year's challenge — a state effort to decrease the number of Burmese pythons in the Everglades and minimize the reptile's threat to native wildlife — was Taylor Stanberry. According to her Instagram, she's a "venomous keeper" and "relocator" who has already been dubbed the "new queen of the Everglades." "The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this year's competition is a big win for native wildlife," FWC chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement. "With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events to date and over 16,000 pythons removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, collective efforts are the key to continuing to address the threats Burmese pythons pose to Florida's native wildlife and ecosystems." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, added that the challenge and record participation highlighted the "importance of citizen engagement as we tackle one of the toughest conservation challenges of our time, invasive exotic species of animals and plants." Other winners this year include hunters who caught dozens of pythons, and a prize for the "longest" snake captured. According to CBS News, the reptiles are native to Asia and likely entered the wild as a result of the exotic pet trade. Per the FWC, Burmese python females lay between 50 and 100 eggs at a time, which facilitates the rapid spread of the snakes. Since 2000, over 23,000 pythons have been captured and removed from the Everglades. To even take part in the challenge, participants were required to pass an online training, per the event's website, and had to kill the pythons humanely. The challenge did not permit the use of firearms, dogs, or other animals. "We could not have done this without the continued support and much-appreciated collaboration with our partners at the South Florida Water Management District and the National Park Service," Roger Young, FWC executive director, said in a statement. "This year's significant addition of Everglades National Park as one of our official Python Challenge competition locations provided an exciting new opportunity for competitors while helping to boost public awareness about invasive Burmese pythons and how people can help." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
