Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator

[scotto]

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)

By DENISE KALETTE
The Associated Press
Thursday, October 6, 2005; 7:13 AM

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.

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.'"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...100600413.html

[Woodmonkey]

I heard about this one, Scotto. I had a couple of Columbian Boa Constrictors years ago and they make great pets until they get too big. People don't think about that when they get them. I made a deal with the store owner to take them back when that time came because he knew places that could handle snakes that large.

[StrBrite]

My goodness that is the largest snake I have ever seen.

It is amazing that people have actually had these as pets and very sad for everyone that the owners just discard them like trash with no regard to the final outcome of their actions.

Oh I am scared to death of snakes such as these

[scotto]

Classic example of your apatite being bigger then your stomach.
I felt like that snake many times after thanks giving.

-scotto

[StrBrite]

Originally Posted by scotto

Classic example of your apatite being bigger then your stomach.
I felt like that snake many times after thanks giving.

-scotto

me to actually, thats when a nap is in order

[Headhunter]

Just imagine how many boots and belts one could get from those critters...

[Turbochrgdwitch]

Damn, and that would have been a great gator tail, sauteed in marsala wine with garlic and lemon.

I once had a customer that came in with his albino python. He was 60 lbs and 10 feet long. I got to have him draped over my shoulders as he slithered down my side. he was beautiful and so soft, slinky. Only problem is that you have to feed them mice and I would probably keep the mice as pets and he would die of starvation. Oh well, I will stick to my Leopard Gecko.