Over 80 Snakes Caught! Meet the Winners of the 2020 Python Bowl

By: Discovery

Guardians of the Glades Star Mike “Python Cowboy” Kimmel is the 2020 Python Bowl Champion!

In 1992, almost 1,000 Burmese pythons escaped into the Florida Everglades. Today, their population has exploded to over 300,000. This invasive species is not only decimating the native wildlife populations in the Everglades, but they threaten the ecosystem of the entire Southeastern region of the United States.

More than 750 people from 20 states registered to participate in the 10-day competition. All who registered were required to pass a mandatory online training. The competitors were split into 3 categories: Pros, Rookies, and Active Service Members or Veterans.

Guardians of the Glades star Mike “Python Cowboy” Kimmel was crowned the 2020 Python Bowl champion after he removed eight invasive pythons from the wild! Former champion, Dusty “Wildman” Crum was unable to repeat, but he did earn a second-place prize in the heaviest python category.

Here are the full competition results:

Most Pythons

  • Pro grand prize winner Mike Kimmel won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing eight pythons.
  • Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing six pythons.
  • Pro second prize winner Lindsey Floyd won $750 for removing six pythons.
  • Rookie second prize winner Ethan O’Neil won $750 for removing four pythons.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Barry Offenburger (U.S. Army) won $1,000 for removing three pythons.

Longest Python

  • Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 12-foot, 7.3-inch python.
  • Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $2,000 for an 11-foot, 6.5-inch python.
  • Pro second prize winner Amy Siewe won $750 for a 10-foot, 7-inch python.
  • Rookie second prize winner Dave Mucci won $750 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.

Heaviest Python

  • Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 62-pound python.
  • Rookie grand prize winner Dave Mucci won $2,000 for a 49.4-pound python.
  • Pro second prize winner Dustin Crum won $750 for a 35.9-pound python.
  • Rookie second prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $750 for a 48.1-pound python.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci
    (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for a 49.4-pound python.

Watch Mike “Python Cowboy” Kimmel’s road to glory at Discovery.com/PythonBowl

Next Up

There’s a Lot You Don’t Know About Sharks

But in the meantime, here are some fin-tastic facts you probably didn’t know about sharks.

The “Lungs of Our Planet” are Under Threat

World Rainforest Day is June 22, bringing awareness and action to save these precious ecosystems. But if the current rate of deforestation continues, will there be any rainforests in 100 years?

A Bear’s World: Behind-The-Scenes Of Man Vs Bear

All bear participants are free range captive bears who would die if returned to the wild. Their caretakers are responsible for exercising them as part of a daily routine to ensure their health. Competitions have been designed around the bear’s natural instincts and actions. No bear is ever forced to compete.

One Way to Tell the Difference Between a Rock and a Fossil Is to Lick It

There's no need for fancy, how powered equipment with this method.

The Stegosaurus Was An Ancient Relic To The T. Rex

These two popular dinosaurs never crossed paths.

Some Male Cuttlefish 'Cross-Dress' to Woo the Ladies

Learn about cuttlefish at Discovery.com

How the World’s Largest Delta Might Slowly Go Under Water

The uneven rise of the sea impacts communities in South Asia

Big Sur Condors, A Conservation Comeback Story

Condors once ranged from Baja California all the way to British Columbia. But, in 1987, the last wild California condor was taken into captivity in order to preserve the species. Now, thanks to a breeding program in central California, the condors are finally returning to their natural habitat in Big Sur.

Living with People and Elephants in the Serengeti

There has been a lot of not-so-great elephant news out of Africa in the last couple of decades. Between 2006 and 2015, an estimated 100,000 elephants disappeared across the continent. However, the story of the Serengeti is slightly different to other national parks in Africa. Here's some insight as to why.

These Bee Chicas Are Colorado’s Local Heroes

Last year, US beekeepers lost almost 40% of their bee colonies. Four women banded together to help the bee population flourish in Colorado.