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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.'"

[ 10-06-2005, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: krunchyfrogg ]

Just saw it on the news, that must have been some sight, and a smelly sight too. :D My mom was right, always chew before you swallow, that python was brought up completely wrong. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

<font color = shadowed cyan text>was the gator still alive after that?

...and i thought reflux was bad *shudders*</font>

I hope its last meal tasted good!

It wasn't bad, but he could really use an Alka Seltzer now. :D

I'm seeing a poster opportunity, making fun of those inspirational posters in offices and schools. This one could simply read: "Determination", "Set your goals high", or "Ambition".

"Wishful Thinking". ;)

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Yay! GO THE GATORS! *whistles*

Your not a Steve Irwin fan are you?

The croc would be dead because the poisen would have killed it, however the claws on it's foot would have ripped open it's stomach as it was slowly slithering down it's throat. Can you imagine the waste it would of left behind in... 16 weeks?

That would be the first venomous python I've ever heard of.

Quote:

Originally posted by Legolas:
That would be the first venomous python I've ever heard of.

You beat me to it ;)

Australians are so used to venomous critters, they don't even see the difference anymore. I hear even the women are venomous in Australia. :D

Quote:

Originally posted by johnny:
Australians are so used to venomous critters, they don't even see the difference anymore. I hear even the women are venomous in Australia. :D

In the whole wide world. :D I was victim to one a month ago. They had no antidote so I am feeling the effects still.

Hahaha! More people chopping their ships up i see then..

I push for a distinction on the forums between Australians and Western Australians [img]tongue.gif[/img]

C'mon Burnzey. Sharpen up mate. You're making us look bad. :D

Couldn't say if Aussie women are venomous or not. Haven't been bitten by the competition yet.

Dutch women, so i hear, are the bomb.

Quote:

Originally posted by Intrepid:
I push for a distinction on the forums between Australians and Western Australians [img]tongue.gif[/img]

lol, we should remove them from Australia and just let them float away....

Hmm, but that would mean Uluru would no longer be closest to every beach in Australia!..