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A sizable alligator was recently filmed pulling a massive Burmese python through the waters of the Everglades.
Captured by Everglades National Park guide Kelly Alvarez from the vantage of an observation tower on Thanksgiving, the footage showcases the alligator, affectionately referred to as “Godzilla,” gripping one end of the deceased python while navigating the surface of the water.
In the video, shocked onlookers can be heard exclaiming, “It’s huge,” as they marvel at the python’s size, noting, “That’s a really, really big python.”
Alvarez estimates the alligator’s length to be between 10 and 12 feet, while the python seems to measure nearly twice that, sparking astonishment among the witnesses.
Another tour guide in the clip mentions, “You know it’s something serious when it’s something we haven’t seen before,” alluding to the rarity of such interactions.
Alvarez recounted to USA TODAY her experiences with alligators and their feeding habits, emphasizing, “I have seen many alligators eating pythons out here….I have never, ever, ever seen a python that large.”
Record-Breaking Burmese Pythons in Florida
Burmese pythons rank among the most sizable snakes on the planet, commonly measuring between 10 and 16 feet in length, as stated by the University of Florida.
In a startling find, python hunters captured the longest Burmese python ever recorded on July 10, 2023, in the confines of Big Cypress National Preserve, measuring an astounding 19 feet.
Additionally, the heaviest Burmese python documented was captured by researchers with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in the Everglades in 2022, weighing a remarkable 215 pounds and nearing 18 feet in length.
Impact of Invasive Burmese Pythons on the Everglades
Designated as an invasive species, Burmese pythons have established a presence across more than a thousand square miles in South Florida, affecting regions like Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve.
These constrictor snakes face few natural predators and pose a significant threat to local wildlife, consuming a broad range of prey from small mammals to deer.
A study conducted in 2012 highlighted their adverse impact on native populations, contributing to the noticeable decline of species like raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and various rabbits.
Observing Nature’s Drama in Florida
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This article was originally published by Palm Beach Post: Florida alligator tows colossal python through Everglades water: Video
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