Meet the Python Queen: Stanberry Shatters Records in Florida’s Challenge

Taylor Stanberry: the first woman to absolutely crush Florida’s Python Challenge.

Imagine this: most nights, Taylor’s trekking through the Everglades in Crocs or just straight-up barefoot, headlamp bouncing, doing her thing. She’s only 29, but she’s been at this python-hunting gig for a whole decade. And now she’s just bagged the top spot, snagging 60 pythons in 10 days. Sixty. That’s wild.

Her win isn’t just some random trophy moment, it’s a big deal for conservation, since these snakes are a nightmare for Florida’s wildlife. And, yeah, it’s a bit of a mic drop for women in this field, too.

Taylor laughs off the dudes who think she can’t hack it. “It’s hilarious, seeing guys still act like I’m too small or whatever,” she says, “Honestly, I’m stronger than half of them.”

Why do these python hunters do what they do? Because someone’s got to protect the Everglades, and clearly, Taylor’s not waiting around for permission.

Congratualtions to Taylor.