Python explodes while trying to eat a 6ft gator

Shaun · 10-05-2005, 06:22 PM

Couldn't have asked for a better end for the snake. -- I hope they find a way to catch them and get them out of the area -- it could make good money for a boot maker.

MIAMI, Fla. — Alligators have clashed with nonnative pythons before in Everglades National Park. But when a 6-foot gator tangled with a 13-foot python recently, the result wasn't pretty.

The snake apparently tried to swallow the gator whole — and then exploded. Scientists stumbled upon the gory remains last week.

The species have battled with increasing frequency — scientists have documented four encounters in the last three years. The encroachment of Burmese pythons into the Everglades could threaten an $8 billion restoration project and endanger smaller species, said Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor.

The gators have had to share their territory with a python population that has swelled over the past 20 years after owners dropped off pythons they no longer wanted in the Everglades. The Asian snakes have thrived in the wet, hot climate.

"Encounters like that are almost never seen in the wild. ... And we here are, it's happened for the fourth time," Mazzotti said. In the other cases, the alligator won or the battle was an apparent draw.

"They were probably evenly matched in size," Mazzotti said of the latest battle. "If the python got a good grip on the alligator before the alligator got a good grip on him, he could win."

While the gator may have been injured before the battle began — wounds were found on it that apparently were not caused by python bites — Mazzotti believes it was alive when the battle began. And it may have clawed at the python's stomach as the snake tried to digest it, leading to the blow up.

The python was found with the gator's hindquarters protruding from its midsection. Its stomach still surrounded the alligator's head, shoulders, and forelimbs. The remains were discovered and photographed Sept. 26 by helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher Michael Barron.

The incident has alerted biologists to new potential dangers from Burmese pythons in the Everglades.

"Clearly, if they can kill an alligator they can kill other species," Mazzotti said. "There had been some hope that alligators can control Burmese pythons. ... 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 means nothing in the Everglades is safe from pythons, a top down predator," Mazzotti said.

Not only can the python kill other reptiles, the snakes will also eat otters, squirrels, endangered woodstorks and sparrows.

While there are thousands of alligators in the Everglades, Joe Wasilewski, a wildlife biologist and crocodile tracker, said its unknown how many pythons there are.

"We need to set traps and do a proper survey," of the snakes, he said. At least 150 have been captured in the last two years.

The problem arises when people buy pets they are not prepared to care for.

"People will buy these tiny little snakes and if you do everything right, they're six-feet tall in one year. They lose their appeal, or the owner becomes afraid of it. There's no zoo or attraction that will take it," so they release the snakes into the Everglades.

A reproducing snake can have as many as 100 hatchlings, which explains why the snake population has soared, Wasilewski said.

The Burmese snake problem is just part of a larger issue of nonnative animal populations in South Florida, he said. So many iguanas have been discarded in the region that they are gobbling tropical flowers and causing problems for botanists, Wasilewski said.

A 10- or 20-foot python is also large enough to pose a risk to an unwary human, especially a small child, he added.

"I don't think this is an imminent threat. This is not a 'Be afraid, be very afraid situation.'"

ash · 10-05-2005, 07:48 PM

Sounds like open season on pythons might fix there problem! I know where I'm spending my next vacation.

fordruid · 10-05-2005, 08:19 PM

Cool. Now I can get a snakeskin condom in MY size!!!!!!

Shaun · 10-05-2005, 08:40 PM

so I wonder what would a 30-06 do to one of these

Apollyon67 · 10-05-2005, 10:08 PM

That snake didn't watch the food channel, That sure don't look like Good Eats to me.

Oxford · 10-05-2005, 10:39 PM

Good thing the croc sharpened his toenails that morning. :nod:

myarmor · 10-05-2005, 11:46 PM

Wow, crazy story. How about some explosive 204's 22-250's and 220 Swifts on'em? Just like shoot'n fish....wait for the head to surface and....well you know, they die.

Shaun · 10-06-2005, 12:02 AM

50 bmg could work -- but the problem with shooting them as they surface is that you have a small target -- remember most if not all bullets will be ineffective at 18"s under water. (even 50's)

myarmor · 10-06-2005, 01:48 AM

Exactly. Timing is everything my friend. Head out of water=rock "n roll.
BMG? Why not. Probably kill everything else in the swamp for a 70 foot radius. Snake skin, and dinner.........for a week. Works for me.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-06-2005, 02:39 AM

What about a head shot with 12ga buckshot at close range - not point blank, but close?

Shaun · 10-06-2005, 02:47 AM

BRG do you really want to be that close to a 13+ foot snake that can take out a 6ft gator?

BattleRifleG3 · 10-06-2005, 12:44 PM

My assumption was that you would find yourself that close without intending to, and that a shotgun would then be your best bet. Right, wrong?

Big Dog · 10-06-2005, 01:10 PM

Reckon the next "Python" movie will be set in sunny south Florida?

They'll have it 200 feet long and eating half of Miami.

Thrawn · 10-06-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dog

They'll have it 200 feet long and eating half of Miami.

Don't forget the snake can probably crawl at about 50mph.

Stopper · 10-06-2005, 04:34 PM

stupid people and the "pets" they buy then don't want - cheese and rice. Look at what it gets us.

Just like that aquarium foliage that they genetically changed, now when someone cleans out their aquarium and flush the stuff, parts of that foliage gets to the ocean and multiplies beyond beleif, it is killing coral reefs and everything in it's path. I can't remember what the stuff is called, but they genetically chnaged it for aquarium life but it really loves ocean life much much more.

Stupid, stupid people. They will be the end of us all.

10-05-2005, 06:22 PM	#1
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	Python explodes while trying to eat a 6ft gator Couldn't have asked for a better end for the snake. -- I hope they find a way to catch them and get them out of the area -- it could make good money for a boot maker. MIAMI, Fla. — Alligators have clashed with nonnative pythons before in Everglades National Park. But when a 6-foot gator tangled with a 13-foot python recently, the result wasn't pretty. The snake apparently tried to swallow the gator whole — and then exploded. Scientists stumbled upon the gory remains last week. The species have battled with increasing frequency — scientists have documented four encounters in the last three years. The encroachment of Burmese pythons into the Everglades could threaten an $8 billion restoration project and endanger smaller species, said Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor. The gators have had to share their territory with a python population that has swelled over the past 20 years after owners dropped off pythons they no longer wanted in the Everglades. The Asian snakes have thrived in the wet, hot climate. "Encounters like that are almost never seen in the wild. ... And we here are, it's happened for the fourth time," Mazzotti said. In the other cases, the alligator won or the battle was an apparent draw. "They were probably evenly matched in size," Mazzotti said of the latest battle. "If the python got a good grip on the alligator before the alligator got a good grip on him, he could win." While the gator may have been injured before the battle began — wounds were found on it that apparently were not caused by python bites — Mazzotti believes it was alive when the battle began. And it may have clawed at the python's stomach as the snake tried to digest it, leading to the blow up. The python was found with the gator's hindquarters protruding from its midsection. Its stomach still surrounded the alligator's head, shoulders, and forelimbs. The remains were discovered and photographed Sept. 26 by helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher Michael Barron. The incident has alerted biologists to new potential dangers from Burmese pythons in the Everglades. "Clearly, if they can kill an alligator they can kill other species," Mazzotti said. "There had been some hope that alligators can control Burmese pythons. ... 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 means nothing in the Everglades is safe from pythons, a top down predator," Mazzotti said. Not only can the python kill other reptiles, the snakes will also eat otters, squirrels, endangered woodstorks and sparrows. While there are thousands of alligators in the Everglades, Joe Wasilewski, a wildlife biologist and crocodile tracker, said its unknown how many pythons there are. "We need to set traps and do a proper survey," of the snakes, he said. At least 150 have been captured in the last two years. The problem arises when people buy pets they are not prepared to care for. "People will buy these tiny little snakes and if you do everything right, they're six-feet tall in one year. They lose their appeal, or the owner becomes afraid of it. There's no zoo or attraction that will take it," so they release the snakes into the Everglades. A reproducing snake can have as many as 100 hatchlings, which explains why the snake population has soared, Wasilewski said. The Burmese snake problem is just part of a larger issue of nonnative animal populations in South Florida, he said. So many iguanas have been discarded in the region that they are gobbling tropical flowers and causing problems for botanists, Wasilewski said. A 10- or 20-foot python is also large enough to pose a risk to an unwary human, especially a small child, he added. "I don't think this is an imminent threat. This is not a 'Be afraid, be very afraid situation.'" __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-05-2005, 08:40 PM	#4
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	so I wonder what would a 30-06 do to one of these __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-05-2005, 10:08 PM	#5
Apollyon67 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 2,238 Images: 17	That snake didn't watch the food channel, That sure don't look like Good Eats to me. __________________ "To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish." Ben Franklin

10-05-2005, 10:39 PM	#6
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,101 Blog Entries: 4	Good thing the croc sharpened his toenails that morning. :nod: __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

10-06-2005, 12:02 AM	#8
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	50 bmg could work -- but the problem with shooting them as they surface is that you have a small target -- remember most if not all bullets will be ineffective at 18"s under water. (even 50's) __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-05-2005, 07:48 PM	#2
ash Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: En route Posts: 934 Images: 3	Sounds like open season on pythons might fix there problem! I know where I'm spending my next vacation.

10-05-2005, 08:19 PM	#3
fordruid Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 156	Cool. Now I can get a snakeskin condom in MY size!!!!!!

10-05-2005, 11:46 PM	#7
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Wow, crazy story. How about some explosive 204's 22-250's and 220 Swifts on'em? Just like shoot'n fish....wait for the head to surface and....well you know, they die.

10-06-2005, 01:48 AM	#9
myarmor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwest ,VA Posts: 1,147	Exactly. Timing is everything my friend. Head out of water=rock "n roll. BMG? Why not. Probably kill everything else in the swamp for a 70 foot radius. Snake skin, and dinner.........for a week. Works for me.

10-06-2005, 02:39 AM	#10
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	What about a head shot with 12ga buckshot at close range - not point blank, but close? __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-06-2005, 02:47 AM	#11
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,619 Images: 1	BRG do you really want to be that close to a 13+ foot snake that can take out a 6ft gator? __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-06-2005, 12:44 PM	#12
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	My assumption was that you would find yourself that close without intending to, and that a shotgun would then be your best bet. Right, wrong? __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-06-2005, 01:10 PM	#13
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,412	Reckon the next "Python" movie will be set in sunny south Florida? They'll have it 200 feet long and eating half of Miami. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-06-2005, 04:34 PM	#15
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,212 Images: 1	stupid people and the "pets" they buy then don't want - cheese and rice. Look at what it gets us. Just like that aquarium foliage that they genetically changed, now when someone cleans out their aquarium and flush the stuff, parts of that foliage gets to the ocean and multiplies beyond beleif, it is killing coral reefs and everything in it's path. I can't remember what the stuff is called, but they genetically chnaged it for aquarium life but it really loves ocean life much much more. Stupid, stupid people. They will be the end of us all. __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"