“In this photo provided by the Everglades National Park, the carcass of a six-foot American alligator is shown protruding from the mid-section of a 13-foot Burmese python Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 in Everglades National Park, Fla., after the snake apparently swallowed the alligator resulting in the deaths of both animals.”
MIAMI – The alligator has some foreign competition at the top of the Everglades food chain, and the results of the struggle are horror-movie messy.
A 13-foot Burmese python recently burst after it apparently tried to swallow a live, six-foot alligator whole, authorities said.
In this photo provided by the Everglades National Park, the carcass of a six-foot American alligator is shown protruding from the mid-section of a 13-foot Burmese python Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 in Everglades National Park, Fla., after the snake apparently swallowed the alligator resulting in the deaths of both animals. (AP Photo/Everglades National Park) (AP)
The incident has heightened biologists’ fears that the nonnative snakes could threaten a host of other animal species in the Everglades.
“It means nothing in the Everglades is safe from pythons, a top-down predator,” said Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor.
Over the years, many pythons have been abandoned in the Everglades by pet owners.
The gory evidence of the latest gator-python encounter _ the fourth documented in the past three years _ was discovered and photographed last week by a helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher.
The snake was found with the gator’s hindquarters protruding from its midsection. Mazzotti said the alligator may have clawed at the python’s stomach as the snake tried to digest it.
In previous incidents, the alligator won or the battle was an apparent draw.
“There had been some hope that alligators can control Burmese pythons,” Mazzotti said. “This indicates to me it’s going to be an even draw. Sometimes alligators are going to win and sometimes the python will win.”
It is unknown how many pythons are competing with the thousands of alligators in the Everglades, but at least 150 have been captured in the past two years, said Joe Wasilewski, a wildlife biologist and crocodile tracker.
Pythons could threaten many smaller species that conservationists are trying to protect, including other reptiles, otters, squirrels, woodstorks and sparrows, Mazzotti said.
Wasilewski said a 10- or 20-foot python also could pose a risk to an unwary human, especially a child. He added, however, “I don’t think this is an imminent threat. This is not a `Be afraid, be very afraid’ situation.’”
holy crap
:tup: to any animal that can eat an alligator whole lol
well almost
Holy shiiiiat.
Wasilewski said a 10- or 20-foot python also could pose a risk to an unwary human, especially a child. He added, however, “I don’t think this is an imminent threat. This is not a `Be afraid, be very afraid’ situation.'”
Did he not see the 6’ gator carcass?
lol… well he swallowed it… just couoldn’t shit it out.
^ yup. He swallowed it, but it looks like the gator stretched the snake to breaking point right in the middle.
the snake exploded. oops…
Mark just sent me that article. 
I should post pics of my snake eating. Poor mouse didn’t even have sec to completely poop.
Just kidding, I won’t post that crap.
Yall need to watch ANACONDA.
Betta recognize, snakes are no joke.
hahaa thanks cube
south central foooos
wow, thats crazy!
damn thats amazing that the python did that… i didnt think that was possible… sucks for both of them in the end tho lol
^^ big pic
anaconda bite vid :
http://unoriginal.co.uk/footage37_1.html
Poor fella,caught in a elec fence.
http://www.bushveld.co.za/pictures-python.htm
Snake vs Kangaroo
Holy shit dude. That snake eating the cow is gigantic. That is scary.
That shit scares me.
thats kinda not good there are foreign burmese pythons introduced to the everglades…
that shit is like right out of a movie
i once saw a bullfrog eat a bird. the bird landed on a lilly pad in the pond we have on our patio. bullfrog eyed it up for a minute before doing the jump attack. twas crazy.
my timber rattler > *
i named him STONE COLD