dang

5:20 PM



Python-gator battle highlights problem in Everglades
By Denise Kalette, Associated Press
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.




Michael Barron, Getty Images
The carcass of an alligator protudes out to the right from the curved body of a dead Burmese python. Click here to enlarge image.


The incident has heightened biologists' fears that the non-native 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.'"
[Edited 10/5/05 16:31pm]

ok, so maybe i shouldn't eat that second burrito tonight.

where'd you find this? i want to enlarge the image.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Nevermind.



talk about your meal not agreeing with you.

meltwithu said:

sinisterpentatonic said:

THAT is nasty.

that'll teach him to eat live prey

Anxiety, kill your burritos first.

Anxiety said:

i think it's awesome! i would've loved to have seen this on pay-per-view.

charlottegelin said:

In other words, don't go to Taco Bell.

TMPletz said:

or Taco BILL

that is why you should never try to put too much meat in your mouth

charlottegelin said:

meltwithu said:

something like that happened to a girl i knew.

sinisterpentatonic said:

i once knew a girl who could unhinge her jaw like a python.

This is HILARIOUS! I wish I had been there to see the snake explode!

the snake = pwned!

sinisterpentatonic said:

I hope she didn't get lockjaw

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

charlottegelin said:

no the opposite, she had unlockjaw. Sometimes she would walk around like this for weeks.

sinisterpentatonic said:

sinisterpentatonic said:

hell, just watch an episode of judge judy.

Anxiety said:

Judge Judy is da BOMB!