Alligator caught eating ‘invasive’ python in Everglades National Park in Florida

A Florida amateur photographer captured video in Everglades National Park that put “wild” in “wildlife.”

Alison Joslyn caught an alligator eating a large Burmese python, a non-native snake in Florida, in the Shark Valley portion of the park on Dec. 20 while biking and shared the footage on social media.

“I knew right away that I was watching something very special,” he told Storyful. “I thought they might both be dead until the alligator opened one eye to look at me! Phew! Score one for the home team!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) considers Burmese pythons invasive due to their impact on native wildlife, according to their website.

The species is considered to be among the largest snakes in the world and is often found near or in water. Adult Burmese pythons caught in Florida average 6 to 9 feet long, but the largest measures 18 feet, FWC says.

The alligator was caught on camera eating a large Burmese python, which is not native to Florida. Alison Joslyn via Storyful The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission considers the python an invasive species. Alison Joslyn via Storyful The video was captured in Everglades National Park. Alison Joslyn via Storyful

“In Florida, Burmese pythons have been found to prey on a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and even alligators,” the FWC states. The agency says the species can be captured and “humanely killed year-round without a permit or hunting license on lands managed by 32 commissions in South Florida.”

The Smithsonian National Postal Museum website says Everglades National Park is “the only place in the world where alligators coexist with crocodiles,” and that it is the only place in the U.S. where people can see crocodiles because to Lake Okeechobee’s mix of fresh water and salt water. of the ocean.

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The average visitation to the park is 1 million visitors, according to the National Park Service. It is home to 13 endangered species and 10 threatened species.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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