Python meets alligator

One explodes, both dead!

[Syzygy]

An unusual clash between a 6-foot (1.8m) alligator and a 13-foot (3.9m) python has left two of the deadliest predators dead in Florida's swamps. The Burmese python tried to swallow its fearsome rival whole but then exploded.

The rangers say the find suggests that non-native Burmese pythons might even challenge alligators' leading position in the food chain in the swamps.

From the BBC [news.bbc.co.uk]

Amazing photo!

Syzygy

[Sweezely]

Python explodes after eating too much? I guess that alligator must have been 'wafer thin'!

[httpwebwitch]

wow, that is incredible
nice find, Syz

[sonny]

Too many gators in Fl, maybe pythons can keep them in check.
Wondered where older pythons ended up? In the swamps of Florida

[mattglet]

The headlines had fun with this one, for sure. The snake didn't "explode", it was most likely ripped open from the inside out. The size of that gator should have been no problem for a snake that big. Do a search for the video of an African Rock Python eating a gazelle. That alone proves the elasticity of a snake.

It's the stupid people that find out their cute little 1 foot snake they bought turned into a 6 foot snake a year later that should be thrown into the glades.

[JerryOdom]

There is supposedly alot of this stuff going on. Check out this blog entry full with pictures and commentary.

[totaldrek.blogspot.com...]

[mattglet]

There is supposedly alot of this stuff going on.

It's unfortunately due to the fact that people go to the reptile expos, and buy the oh-so-beautiful 1 foot snakes for their kids. In 12 months they wake up and say "Holy crap, this thing is 6/10/12 feet long! I can't house this thing any more!". So they think that they can just release the snake into the wild, and everything is fine. Snakes then get a bad rep b/c they start getting into people's homes and neighborhoods. Such a viscious cycle, and totally unnecessary. Know what you're getting into people!

</off soapbox>

[Syzygy]

I've been thinking that this kind of reminds me of a scene from a really old 'B' movie, (going from distant memories...) something like Valley of Gwangi (?) and in which there is a battle between a T-rex type dinosaur and a Triceratops or similar!

Syzygy

[Sarah Atkinson]

I've been thinking that this kind of reminds me of a scene from a really old 'B' movie, (going from distant memories...) something like Valley of Gwangi (?) and in which there is a battle between a T-rex type dinosaur and a Triceratops or similar!

I think I know the scene your talking aboult. Altough I can't rember the movie title either.

[grandpa]

Jake is a 10-12 foot Burmese python living at friends place in Dallas. Jake pretty much has the run of the house, but sometimes gets confined to a specially built reptile cage. He doesn't bother the dogs in the house, and they certainly keep an eye on him.

Far too many people don't accept pet responsibilty, particularly when the pet is a growing reptile. And... I've never seen a snake explode, at least not naturally.

[mattglet]

I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen someone buy a Burmese Python (or any other snake that grows 6+ feet, for that matter) that obviously has no idea what they're getting into. It's a sad thing, really.

[Essex_boy]

People just dont know what they area doing - your right a Caiman/cayman alligator was spotted in a village pond near me.

Some dam fool released it there.

[Automan Empire]

Python explodes after eating too much? I guess that alligator must have been 'wafer thin'!

Sweezly, you made me spray alligator all over the monitor! ROFL!