87 Pythons In One Month: How Aaron Mann Became Florida's Record-Breaking Hunter
The fight to save the Florida Everglades from the devastating invasion of the Burmese python has a new hero, and his recent achievement is nothing short of astonishing. As of December 2025, the name Aaron Mann stands at the pinnacle of the state’s Python Elimination Program, having achieved a single-month removal record that underscores the severity of the invasive species crisis and the dedication of the agents on the front lines. Mann’s success—removing an incredible 87 pythons in just 31 days—has brought renewed attention to the critical conservation efforts underway in the South Florida ecosystem.
This unprecedented haul, which includes a massive 14-foot snake, highlights the effectiveness of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) program and the sheer volume of the invasive population. Mann's work, often in partnership with his fiancée Christina Kraus, is a testament to the long, grueling hours spent in the swamps, battling the top predator that is destroying native wildlife populations across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem.
Aaron Mann: Profile of Florida's Top Python Removal Agent
Aaron Mann has rapidly ascended the ranks of Florida’s professional python hunters, turning a challenging and dangerous job into a record-setting conservation effort. His commitment to the environment and his relentless pursuit of the invasive Burmese python (*Python bivittatus*) has earned him significant recognition and a crucial role in protecting Florida’s delicate biodiversity.
- Primary Role: Python Removal Agent for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Python Elimination Program.
- Program Enrollment: Mann joined the SFWMD program in June 2025, quickly establishing himself as an elite hunter.
- Key Partner: He often hunts alongside his fiancée, Christina Kraus, making their efforts a formidable team operation in the Everglades.
- Record Achievement: Mann captured 87 Burmese pythons in July 2025, setting a new monthly record for the SFWMD program and earning a $1,000 bonus.
- Notable Catch: His July 2025 haul included one Burmese python measuring 14 feet in length, a significant removal due to the reproductive potential of large females.
The Record-Shattering Catch: 87 Pythons in 31 Days
The month of July 2025 will forever be marked in the history of Florida's invasive species management due to Aaron Mann's extraordinary success. His capture of 87 pythons not only set a new monthly benchmark for the SFWMD program but also represented a major blow to the invasive snake population.
The SFWMD’s Python Elimination Program is a key component of the state's strategy to curb the spread of the non-native species. Agents are paid an hourly rate plus a bounty based on the length of the snake—$50.00 for pythons up to four feet, with an additional $25.00 per foot thereafter. Mann’s 14-foot catch alone would have generated a substantial bounty, but the sheer volume of 87 snakes in one month is unprecedented.
This record is a powerful indicator of the concentration of pythons in the South Florida Water Management District’s lands, particularly in the vast, remote areas of the Everglades. The program's bonus contests, such as the one Mann won, are designed to incentivize maximum effort, and Mann clearly rose to the challenge.
The Elite Techniques of a Top Python Hunter
Capturing dozens of pythons, which are notoriously difficult to detect, requires more than just luck; it demands specialized knowledge, relentless effort, and a mastery of field techniques. The success of Aaron Mann and Christina Kraus is attributed to their effective application of proven python removal strategies.
Mastering Nocturnal and Roadside Hunting
Burmese pythons are often most active and detectable at night, especially when they venture onto roads to absorb residual heat. Mann's success suggests long hours of nocturnal hunting, a strenuous activity requiring high-powered lights and constant vigilance. The vast majority of pythons are found by traversing levees and roadsides, particularly during cooler weather or after dark.
Targeting the Strike Zone
Safety is paramount when dealing with a snake that can grow over 20 feet long. Professional hunters like Mann must employ precise capture techniques. The general rule is to secure the snake’s head first, avoiding the potential strike zone, which can extend up to half the snake's body length. Mann’s ability to handle numerous large snakes, including the 14-footer, highlights his expertise in safely subduing these powerful constrictors.
Utilizing Low Detectability Conditions
Burmese pythons have a notoriously low detectability rate in the dense, camouflaged environment of the Everglades. Top hunters like Mann must learn to identify subtle signs—a slight trail in the grass, a barely visible coil—that the average person would miss. This requires dedication and a deep understanding of the snake’s behavior and preferred habitats, such as tree islands and marsh edges.
While Mann’s exact "secret" methods remain proprietary, his record indicates a highly efficient system for locating and removing these elusive predators, likely combining relentless searching with an understanding of python ecology and movement patterns.
The Critical War Against the Burmese Python Invasion
Aaron Mann's work is part of a much larger, multi-agency effort to combat what is widely considered one of the most destructive invasive species in the world. The Burmese python poses a catastrophic threat to Florida’s native wildlife, with studies showing dramatic declines in mammal populations, including raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and even white-tailed deer, in areas where pythons are established.
Key entities involved in the ongoing management and removal efforts include the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Everglades National Park, and non-profits like the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
The Florida Python Challenge and Public Involvement
In addition to the professional SFWMD program, the annual Florida Python Challenge engages the public in the removal effort. The 2024 Challenge saw over 850 participants join the cause, though the total numbers removed by the professionals like Mann remain the most significant. These initiatives also serve to raise public awareness about the ecological disaster unfolding in the Everglades.
Ecological and Economic Impact
The pythons, which can grow to immense sizes, have no natural predators in Florida outside of large American alligators, and their unchecked proliferation has led to an ecological imbalance. Furthermore, the cost of managing the invasive species problem, including the pythons and other non-native plants and animals, represents a substantial economic burden on the state.
The record-breaking success of Aaron Mann and his team is not just a personal achievement; it is a vital step in the long-term conservation of the Everglades. Every python removed, especially large, breeding females, prevents hundreds of future snakes from entering the ecosystem, safeguarding the future of Florida’s iconic native wildlife.
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