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.

The 2025 Python Challenge removed a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from Florida ecosystems. The competition drew more than 900 participants from 30 states and Canada.

These snakes are considered super rare by the FWC, last spotted in February 2020. FWC spokesperson Jonathan Veach told USA TODAY that it is possible there were other rainbow snake sightings in Florida since then, but either "they weren't reported or we never learned of them."

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Taylor Stanberry removed 60 invasive Burmese pythons and claimed the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize. The FWC announced that 934 participants from 30 states and Canada removed a record 294 pythons during the 10-day competition.

Donna Kalil, a contract hunter for the South Florida Water Management District, nabbed 56 snakes during the Python Challenge between July 11 and July 20. She brought in 19 during the 2024 contest when the event was held Aug. 9 through Aug. 18. The grand prize winner last year nabbed 20 snakes.

Redland's Snake Catcher in Queensland, Australia, helped a family remove a coiled-up python from their home after the family found the reptile curled up under a kids' toy.

Although you’re allowed to legally kill most species of rattlesnakes to “protect life and property,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said, you should try to make your environment less hospitable instead. According to Starkey, snakes usually come onto your property in search of food, shelter or water.