A helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher was visiting the Everglades near Miami last week and stumbled upon and photographed the gory evidence. A 13 foot Burmese python tried to swallow a live six foot alligator. The alligator evidently clawed the python’s stomach as the snake tried to digest it, causing the python to rupture. The amazing sight was of an alligator’s hindquarters protruding from the snake’s midsection. Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor said “It means nothing in the Everglades is safe from pythons, a top-down predator.” These pythons have arrived in the Everglades by being abandoned by pet owners over the years. Previous incidents proved the alligator as winner over these pythons but some of the battles were declared a draw. It was hoped the alligators would control the Burmese pythons, but this recent discovery is indicative of the battles being an even draw. Sometimes the alligators will win and sometimes the pythons will win. It is still unknown how many pythons are in competition with these gators in the Everglades, but there have been at least 150 pythons captured in the past two years, reported by Joe Wasilewski, a wildlife biologist and crocodile tracker. These pythons are a threat to other species that conservationists were trying to protect, including otters, squirrels, woodstorks, sparrows and other reptiles. Wasilewski said “A 10-20 foot python could pose a risk to an unwary human, especially a child.”
Can you imagine coming across this?
Unbelievable!
But what is more incredible is this 49 foot long Reticulated Python weighing in at 990 pounds. It is held in captivity at a primitive zoo in Curugsewu village in Indonesia. "The Indonesian newspaper Republika said the snake, which was caught last year but only recently put on public display, eats three or four dogs a month." The Reticulated Python is the longest snake in the world. They can consume animals as large as sheep and have also been known to attack and consume humans.
Now, that is one
BIG snake!
Doesn't that just make your skin crawl?
Astounding!
21 comments:
I saw that picture in the newspaper. Almost unbelievable. I wonder if any humans have ever eaten till they burst.
I'm no going wherever them things are! Hotboy
Rob ~ Is that humanly possible? If so that would be nasty!
Hotboy ~ I am with you then. I don't want to be anywhere near them either!
I 20 foot python was found in Prattville, Alabama during the 1970's after it ate a little girl. I lived there when it happened, parents used that incident to scare us kids about going into the woods to play....
too many rednecks have bought these snakes and boa constrictors for pets and ended up letting them loose in surrounding woods because they became to expensive to feed....
I never understood the concept of owning a pet snake. More than once I've seen in the news where a constrictor has gotten loose and killed children in the home. That's the parents' fault, plain and simple... it's just stupid to have a dangerous animal like that as a pet.
But imagine having to feed one DOGS! That just ain't right.
OMG that is so gross, I almost lost my lunch LOL, That is SOOO crazy!!!!
Mojo ~ That is devastating! You really can't blame your parents for using that excuse, since there was a real occurance ;) Dang, that is horrible.
Mike ~ I know, that is one of my worst fears! I can't deal with them at all.
Dave ~ It is awful. There should be some kind of licensing or something for someone to have that kind of a pet. Like you and Mojo said, too many of them don't get taken care of then are let loose! I mean, big enough to feed it dogs!!!!
Zombie ~ The snakes are disturbing enough! I probably wouldn't want to hear about that weasel. Some of these crazy things people do!
Kay Ray ~ Sorry! I know, that is just nuts...ewwwwhhhh!
That snake could swallow me whole!
Wow,
Blake
Justice ~ Is that not the most horrifying thing you have ever seen?
Blake ~ No doubt! They feed that thing dogs! And that is probably just morsels for it. yyYYYYUUUUCCCKKKKK!
Two less reptiles in the world. Yeah, you heard me PETA!! ;)
BeckEye ~ yes!
And to think I used to live only a few miles from the Everglades. Wow!
We saw the python/gator photo too! We travel in the same circles you and I Lee Ann! The poor snake, ripped open by the nasty allegator, that just goes to show, you should aughta kill yer food before ya eats it!
Lee Ann - Wow, I read something about this earlier in the news. Almost a 1000 lbs eh?
Ya could make alot boots with those guys! j/k
Sounds like something you should be watching on the outdoor life network.
Peace
Though the alligator might be dead, I certainly am not!
Fred ~ I used to live close to the Everglades too! I lived in Boca Raton, where were you?
Ticharu ~ I think we do travel in the same circles. We would probably be neighbors if we lived in the same city! I am in total agreement with you about your food being dead before eating it!
Neo ~ You are right about that! You could have a pair in every style! ;)
Jiggs ~ Hey! Glad you are not dead! Hope your travels are going well.
I couldn't believe that when I first saw it; I thought it HAD to be fake.
Lee Ann - here's some good news! Thanks partly to your powers of persuasion, Hotboy has agreed to tell the whole cabbage story.
Hotboy - Do pythons eat cabbages?
Anon Midwest Girl ~ Hey! Thank you for stopping by! I know, it is too much,right?
Come back by again.
Rob ~ Oh good, I Can't wait to hear it!
Lee Ann, I laid out this page in Sunday's Birmingham News. I am always partial to news of the weird and this might take the cake. It is right out of a movie. Did you know that 200 pound catfish have been caught in Lake Gunterville in north Alabama? My dad used to tell me that as a kid and I never believed him until he showed me a newspaper archive. It's for real.
echeevo72 ~ Wow! A 200 lb. local catfish? That is amazing. I wish we had a picture of that thing.
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