Alligator versus Python the True Story
On one side we have the American alligator, a fearsome, native predator and king of the Florida food chain, until recently.
On the other side we have the rapidly growing and breeding population of exotic, and deadly Burmese pythons. This dangerous snake is now threatening the alligator in it's natural habitat.
Over the past couple of years there have been several well documented and witnessed epic battles between the two reptilian rivals, with more to come.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr)
Round Four of this Predator Heavyweight Bout
Python wins a Pyrrhic victory
The fight rages on in the Florida Everglades. So far, the first three rounds have gone to the alligator, with documented film footage of the struggle between these two reptiles and with the snake being eaten at the end of the fray. Not so, with the most recent struggle, in which a 13 foot python swallowed a 6 foot alligator. The end result was the death of both predators, when the snake split open after swallowing the alligator whole.There are currently two conflicting theories of what occured during this most recent episode, since no one actually witnessed the encounter. One theory is that the alligator somehow managed to claw or bite its way through the side of the snake after being swallowed. This seems unlikely as the alligator was most certainly dead prior to being swallowed. The python is a constrictor which suffocates it's prey prior to eating it.
Theory number two is that the snake, after swallowing it's large meal, was lethargic and easy prey for a second gator to come along and take a bite out of the snake, thus releasing it's fellow reptile from being digested. The snake was found with the gator's hindquarters protruding from its midsection (see attached photo).
What's troubling about these encounters is that the Burmese pythons invoved, were relatively small, only in the range of 10 to 13 feet. The Burmese python has been known to grow up to 30 feet in length, in it's native Southeast Asia and is a documented man eater at this size, as well. In addition, it is now verified that there is a sizeable breeding population of these formidable snakes in the everglades. It is literally, only a matter of time before larger pythons are encountered. They are destined to become the top of the food chain in the everglades, to the detriment of the native species, including, American alligators, American crocodiles, panthers and skunk apes.
Not only do these gigantic snakes pose a threat to Florida's natural wildlife, but to humans as well. There is evidence of these snakes moving into suburban Miami, as well as north into other areas of Florida. They are basically able to thrive in any area which supports alligators, climatewise. It is now estimated that there is a population of over 30,000 Burmese pythons in the everglades alone.
Research has shown that other exotic species, such as boa constrictors and yellow anacondas are also showing-up in the everglades, thanks to the exotic pet trade and individuals releasing their pet snakes into the South Florida wilds.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr)
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the Wild World of Alligators and Pythons
- Alligator urban legends
- This widely circulated image was taken in the Florida Everglades in 2005 and shows the tail of a 6' alligator protruding from the burst midsection of a 13' Burmese python. Both animals were found dead and the snake's head was missing, ...
- USGS Multimedia Gallery: A Burmese Python and an Alligator ...
- A Burmese python (Python molurus) peeks over the head of an alligator that holds the python's body in its mouth in Everglades National Park. Photo courtesy of Lori Oberhofer, National Park Service. ...
- WILDNEWJERSEY.TV: Wild New Jersey Exclusive: Alligator and 100 ...
- Hosted by WildNewJersey.tv, the wildlife presentation by Snakes-n-Scales and Turtle Tales will include an alligator, water monitor - a fearsome reptile like a Komodo drago -, and 100-pound python. A special ribbon-cutting ceremony will ...
Burmese Pythons as Pets
By D. Jacobson - See all my reviews
This book contains some great info on caring for these large serpents and it also contains a section on serious considerations before purchasing a giant snake which is great to see.
(geez who'd a thought!)
Florida Exotic Adventures from Amazon
- Nov 15, 2009 @ 5:19 pmThe Fishmeister (Kindle Edition) tagged "florida"... from florida: Frequently tagged products at Amazon.com
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- Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean (Paperback)By Les Standiford Buy new: $10.1781 used and new f...
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- Burn Notice: The Fix (Paperback)By Tod Goldberg Buy new: $6.9958 used and new from $1.42 Customer Rating: Customer tags: burn notice(23), spy(19), jeffrey d...
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Discovery News Network: Animals
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGator and Python Links
- New threat to our way of life: giant pythons
- Article:New threat to our way of life: giant pythons:/c/a/2008/02/20/MNABV5PP3.DTL
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Who Will Win Round 5 in the Everglades Battle?
Introduce yourself
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Reply
- beachbum_gabby beachbum_gabby Aug 19, 2009 @ 7:21 am
- I'm afraid to the both of them ^__^ but hey, well done lens!
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Reply
- Ladymermaid Ladymermaid Aug 11, 2009 @ 8:38 am
- Wow ......quite the tale or tail as it may be?
Great lens as are all of yours...
Ladymermaid
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- rebelfan18 rebelfan18 Jul 11, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
- snakes is tasty!!! hey, ya'll ever seen a bigfoot in the florida glades ,stump whoopin' a gator with a piethong in is jaws!?!?!?
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- AbbasAbedi AbbasAbedi Jun 6, 2009 @ 2:09 am
- Excellent Lens. 5*
If you get a chance check out my Instant Stress Management lens.
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