Pythons in Florida are a problem, rather… a massive problem. These beasts have completely taken over the everglades to the point there’s hardly any prey left. They are fast and effective predators that have nothing hunting them out there. Because they are not natural to the area, this makes them invasive, meaning they outcompete and damage the ecosystem.
These pythons can be well over 20 feet long, and they utilize their massive size to constrict then eat their prey whole… and alligators will do. These beasts can weigh over 1,000 pounds and measure up to 12 feet long so more than enough food for a big snake. If the pythons are willing to try those prehistoric looking beasts, they will certainly get a good meal out of it.
These researchers are seen cutting open an 18-foot python captured in Florida, and the snake has a curiously large bulge in its belly. Clearly, something is in there. The researchers cut it open and find a whole 5-foot long alligator inside the snake.
That’s one wild predator to take out a gator like that. They summed up what was going on best in the post:
“The Burmese python is one of the largest snakes in the world (up to 20+ft). This particular python was roughly 18 ft, and had consumed a 5ft alligator.
*Burmese pythons are required to be euthanized in Florida. This python was euthanized by those who found it, and turned over to a research lab for necropsy and scientific sample collection. That process is shown in this video.
Due to the the subtropical environment of South Florida, paired with the Burmese pythons long life span and rapid reproduction, these snakes have successfully invaded ecologically sensitive areas such as Everglades National Park. This poses a threat to a variety of wildlife, due to the pythons wide dietary preferences.”
Yeesh