Hiss-boom-bleah (Python Dies After Eating Gator)

Life Pets & Domestic Animals
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The sound an exploding python makes.

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051005/ap_ … &printer=1

[quote]Python Bursts After Trying to Eat Gator

By DENISE KALETTE, Associated Press WriterWed Oct 5, 4:04 PM ET

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.’”[/quote]

(Bonus points to anyone who can explain the subject and first line. Congratulations to anyone who’s survived long enough to remember it firsthand.)

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Pics and commentary on another Burmese python gator wrestle.

HG

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Chi bao le ma?

Not a pleasant bit of news but pretty interesting in case you’ve been wondering whether it’s about time to take a long-awaited trip to the Florida Everglades.

I didn’t think this really belonged in the Pets & Animals section, as it’s not really good for either of the animals involved. Wild python eats a live wild gator down in the Everglades and it doesn’t work out very well for either of the participants.

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Damn, making me hungry-pass the hushpuppies.

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I thought this was a thread about Apple Mac software comparison or something, lol.

Funny thing is, I read that news story just the other day. :blush:

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Burmese Pythons are not the longest but the largest in girth of all the python family. Small crocs and Caiman are common prey items for an adult Burmese, which can reach 18+feet in length and weigh several hundred pounds.

The second link was not a predation attempt as the alligator was far too large. Most likely the alligator attacked first.

An 18 foot burmese can easily take down a 6-foot alligator. But it’s disturbing that they’re out there to begin with, and let’s hope that a healthy alligator population will keep the Burmese Python’s numbers down before they start breeding in the wild (if they haven’t already).

However, no Python in the world is capable of taking down a full-size adult American alligator.

Looking at the photo, I doubt seriously the Python “exploded”. A more likely scenario is that the alligator, just prior to drowning, was able to break through the python’s ribcage with it’s powerful back claws and tail.

When a constrictor attacks a mammal, it simply doesn’t allow the victim to inhale or exhale, causing either ruptured lungs or oxygen starvation. Either way, it’s over in a couple of minutes.

An alligator can hold it’s breath for 30 minutes or more, and is protected by a pretty impressive suit of armor. The alligator was likely still alive when it was swallowed.

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However, looking at the photo, if they were to mount and stuff it very carefully it could replace the “Jackalope” in bars across America.