Python Tries to Eat Alligator, Explodes

Casshew · #1 10-05-2005, 05:26 PM

Alligators have clashed with nonnative pythons before in Everglades National Park. But when a 6-foot gator tangled with a 13-foot python recently, the result wasn't pretty.

The snake apparently tried to swallow the gator whole — and then exploded. Scientists stumbled upon the gory remains last week.

The species have battled with increasing frequency — scientists have documented four encounters in the last three years. The encroachment of Burmese pythons into the Everglades could threaten an $8 billion restoration project and endanger smaller species, said Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor.

The gators have had to share their territory with a python population that has swelled over the past 20 years after owners dropped off pythons they no longer wanted in the Everglades. The Asian snakes have thrived in the wet, hot climate.

"Encounters like that are almost never seen in the wild. ... And we here are, it's happened for the fourth time," Mazzotti said. In the other cases, the alligator won or the battle was an apparent draw.

"They were probably evenly matched in size," Mazzotti said of the latest battle. "If the python got a good grip on the alligator before the alligator got a good grip on him, he could win."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,171358,00.html

MrsMush99 · #2 10-05-2005, 06:12 PM

ok that's just gross. Thanks for the pic Cass.

FACE-IT · #3 10-05-2005, 07:29 PM

Hard to believe that a 13 foot python would tangle with a six foot alligator intentionally. I can't see the snake ever winning.

Casshew · #4 10-05-2005, 07:43 PM

The snake is super strong... all muscle - I put money on the snake to win most often.

Jules · #5 10-05-2005, 07:45 PM

Where's Poco??? I'm sure she could shed some light on this snake discussion.

mysteriew · #6 10-05-2005, 11:32 PM

Looks like he bit off more than he could chew.

Lili · #7 10-06-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mysteriew

Looks like he bit off more than he could chew.

Amraann · #8 10-06-2005, 03:58 PM

At least now everyone will believe me about the breeding population of pythons in South Florida

FACE-IT · #9 10-10-2005, 01:51 PM

Python Apparently Swallows Family's 15-Pound Cat

POSTED: 9:54 am PDT October 10, 2005

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Elidia Rodriguez, of Miami Gardens, had been looking for her 1-year-old Siamese cat for two days when her son pointed out the bulging Burmese python slithering in her back yard.

Experts said that bulge in the 12-foot snake is probably the missing 15-pound cat. Rodriguez got the cat last year as a post-hurricane gift. She named the cat Frances, after the storm.

The snake was spotted in Rodriguez's back yard Sunday.

Experts with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue antivenin unit said Frances wouldn't have stood a chance against the larger predator.

The snake was captured and taken to the Sense of Wonder Nature Center at AD Barnes National Park

Earlier this month, authorities say a 13-foot python burst after it apparently tried to swallow a live, 6-foot alligator whole.

Jeana (DP) · #10 10-10-2005, 01:56 PM

Why would anyone want to live there?
Why would anyone let their pets outside if they knew these types of reptiles are out there?

Magnum PI · #11 10-10-2005, 02:40 PM

A couple I know released an albino catfish about 5 inches long into their pond at their home. Thjat thing must weigh 20 pounds now. There are probably all sorts of exotic creatures out there that have been released by owners who should know better...the Nutria, walking catfish, Kudzu are examples of bad tampering with mother nature..I can only imagine what will turn up in the wake of the hurricanes...mpi

willow · #12 10-10-2005, 11:19 PM

I can't for the life of me figure out which one to root for, the snake or the gator. UGH.

SieSie · #13 10-10-2005, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casshew

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,171358,00.html

I am totally not getting this picture at all. I think I see the alligators tail (top left), but I don't see a snake or any exploded parts. ?? And what's in the water, center top right area? It looks like another alligator. This is just bizarre, I can't imagine there being snakes that big - I'd be moving!!!

BillyGoatGruff · #14 10-11-2005, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum PI

A couple I know released an albino catfish about 5 inches long into their pond at their home. Thjat thing must weigh 20 pounds now. There are probably all sorts of exotic creatures out there that have been released by owners who should know better...the Nutria, walking catfish, Kudzu are examples of bad tampering with mother nature..I can only imagine what will turn up in the wake of the hurricanes...mpi

At least you can east kudzu if properly prepared and use it as silage for cattle (something most people don't know), which is more than you can say for invasive species such as snakeheads and walking catfish.

BillyGoatGruff · #15 10-11-2005, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SieSie

I am totally not getting this picture at all. I think I see the alligators tail (top left), but I don't see a snake or any exploded parts. ?? And what's in the water, center top right area? It looks like another alligator. This is just bizarre, I can't imagine there being snakes that big - I'd be moving!!!

The alligator's legs and tail are sticking OUT of the snake ( the long brownish thing) which has ruptured. Note that you can not see the gator's head. I've seen a similar picture online of a python that had been split open in order to retrieve a young boy/man.

tired.old.hag · #16 10-11-2005, 06:34 AM

Well I guess I'm not gonna swallow whole turkeys on Thanksgiving anymore...

Jules · #17 10-11-2005, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tired.old.hag

Well I guess I'm not gonna swallow whole turkeys on Thanksgiving anymore...

SieSie · #18 10-11-2005, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyGoatGruff

The alligator's legs and tail are sticking OUT of the snake ( the long brownish thing) which has ruptured. Note that you can not see the gator's head. I've seen a similar picture online of a python that had been split open in order to retrieve a young boy/man.

Sorry, but I still don't see what part is what animal. I've numbered the items, maybe someone can help me figure out which is the snake and which is the alligator.

Magnum PI · #19 10-11-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SieSie

Sorry, but I still don't see what part is what animal. I've numbered the items, maybe someone can help me figure out which is the snake and which is the alligator.

1=snake, 2=alligator, 3=snake

Jules · #20 10-11-2005, 12:22 PM

In other words, the snake burst in half and forms a "u." Ugh, there went my appetite.

I'm assuming the snake's head would be under water on the end of #3. I would assume the alligator was swallowed head first.

Hope this helps.

SieSie · #21 10-11-2005, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnum PI

1=snake, 2=alligator, 3=snake

Ewwwww, Thanks MPI and Jules - I see it now. I was honestly thinking that #1 was the alligator, it looks like an alligator body to me - I cannot even imagine a snake being THAT big!!! That's not a snake, it's a monster! So, we can't see the snake or alligators heads in this picture, and the snake exploding made it turn sideways (U-shaped). Ick, ick, and more ick!

Jules · #22 10-11-2005, 12:44 PM

Most welcome... not something you'd like to see slithering through your backyard, eh?

OMG - there is NO WAY I could EVER live ANYWHERE where there are snakes like that!!

nanandjim · #23 10-11-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

In other words, the snake burst in half and forms a "u." Ugh, there went my appetite.

I'm assuming the snake's head would be under water on the end of #3. I would assume the alligator was swallowed head first.

Hope this helps.

This is how I picture it (right or wrong). Before the snake exploded, the alligator was completely swallowed inside the snake. The snake's digestive system could handle such a big object and exploded causing the snake to split in half, thus exposing the lower half of the alligator which hadn't been digested yet.

Jules · #24 10-11-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanandjim

This is how I picture it (right or wrong). Before the snake exploded, the alligator was completely swallowed inside the snake. The snake's digestive system could handle such a big object and exploded causing the snake to split in half, thus exposing the lower half of the alligator which hadn't been digested yet.

Yep, I would think you are correct.

BillyGoatGruff · #25 10-11-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SieSie

http://tinypic.com/ehzllz.jpg

Ewwwww, Thanks MPI and Jules - I see it now. I was honestly thinking that #1 was the alligator, it looks like an alligator body to me - I cannot even imagine a snake being THAT big!!! That's not a snake, it's a monster! So, we can't see the snake or alligators heads in this picture, and the snake exploding made it turn sideways (U-shaped). Ick, ick, and more ick!

It's not the biggest one I've seen. I've worked both in a zoo and at a carny sideshow. I've personally fed a live rabbit to a 25 ft. python, and watched a zoo keeper feed a small (mercifully dead) piglet to a 35 footer. You would not believe the speed of these things when they strike.