Ick - Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator

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Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator
13-Foot Burmese Python Explodes After Apparently Trying to Swallow 6-Foot Alligator Whole

See link for photo: abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1188656

By DENISE KALETTE Associated Press Writer
The Associated PressThe Associated Press

MIAMI Oct 6, 2005 — 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.

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.'"

Chris OConnor

I just flew over the Everglades a few weeks ago and was staring out the window thinking about how I would hate to be out in that swamp wading in waist-deep water. Gators and snakes everywhere.

We see gators down here all the time, but rarely are they over 6 or 7 feet in length. A few I've seen in Lake Tarpon were about 10' long. This size will mess up your day. I don't think a grown man could do much if one of these grabbed your body in the water.

The funny thing is people water ski on Lake Tarpon. There are believed to be over 10,000 gators in this lake. I could never swim or ski in gator infested water.

But Jesus...I am just as afraid of 13' pythons. People that release their snakes into the wild should be shot.

Edited by: Chris OConnor at: 10/9/05 4:58 am

MadArchitect

The real question is, how long will it take Hollywood to realize that this is cinematic gold?


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