Richard Nadler was approaching the 10th hole when he spotted the gator entwined with the large snake and snapped these pictures
AN INTENSE fight between a Burmese python and an alligator was captured by a shocked golfer as the beasts battled it out at a golf course in Florida last week.
Richard Nadler was approaching the 10th hole at The Golf Club in Naples when he spotted the gator entwined with the large snake and snapped these pictures.
Richard Nadler was shocked to see an alligator in an intense battle with a Burmese python while playing golf last weekCredit: Richard Nadler/Facebook
Epic fight between a Burmese python and an alligator stuns golfer Richard Nadler in Naples, Florida
Both creatures were perfectly still, but it appeared the gator had the head of the snake in its mouth.
Mr Nadler shared pictures of the incredible reptile deadlock on Facebook, writing: “The alligator seems to have the upper hand.”
Carolyn Maxim, who also came across the sight, added: “It’s like a zoo here!!!! Looks like he got one of those big pythons.”
But soon afterwards the unfazed golfers carried on their game and let the beasts get on with their business.
The python had wrapped itself around the huge alligator at the golf course in Naples, FloridaCredit: Richard Nadler/Facebook
Mr Nadler told NBC 2: “We drove towards the hole and we took a look at the animals and we took pictures and we continued with our golf game.”
A Burmese python, which can grow up to 26 feet long and weigh up to 200 pounds (90kg), uses its crushing grip to squeeze large mammals, birds and reptiles to death.
In Florida, the average size of a Burmese python is 8 to 10 feet, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
By comparison, female alligators in Florida typically measure below 10 feet in length, but males can grow much larger, the FWC reports.
Golfers stopped to take pictures of the incredible fight before carrying on with their gamesCredit: Richard Nadler/Facebook
Gators are opportunistic feeders, hunting for prey that are easily accessible.
Wildlife officials said they can’t draw a conclusion from photos alone – but if they had to pick a side, they’d be “team alligator.”
Brian Norris, public information officer with the FWC, told Fox News: “Which species is ultimately the prey or predator will vary from (sic) situation depending on a variety of factors including the overall size of each animal.
Carolyn A Maxim captured this picture of the alligator vs python battle in Florida on Facebook
“However we are encouraged by the prospect of a native Florida alligator consuming an invasive Burmese python.”
He explained that Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and pose a significant risk to native wildlife and the ecosystem.
Mr Norris added: “Both of these animals are large predators and the FWC recommends keeping a safe distance from either species.”