Python eats gator, stomach ruptures

Nesnet5.com ^ | 10/5/2005 | AP

[Pessimist]

A python's eyes were apparently bigger than its stomach.

Scientists in Florida are puzzling over a Burmese python that scarfed down a six-foot alligator before its stomach ruptured.

They found the carcasses in an isolated part of Florida's Everglades National Park. Photos show the gator's hind legs and tail sticking out of the 13-foot snake's ruptured gut.

The Miami Herald reported that scientists can't figure out how the snake got the critter down. The snake's head is also missing.

Experts say the clash is interesting, but it also shows the exotic snakes are competing with gators to top the food chain in the Everglades.

Park biologist Skip Snow said he's documented 156 python captures in the last two years.

[printhead]

I saw the same at rotten.com. human was one of a foursome at an everglades golf course.

[BadAndy]

"Python eats gator, stomach ruptures"

Next on "Animal Faceoffs"

[bkepley]

I've seen this sort of thing before and it's not very pretty. (Gary Larson)

[Maceman]

Meet Fluffy, a 26-foot captive-born 12-year old reticulated python owned by python breeder Bob Clark. I'll bet she could have gotten that gator down with no problem.

Of course, our family ball python might have a harder time getting something that big down.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Good Lord! That man looks like he's about to deliver quads!

[katana]

Can't read the book titles behind this guy but I'd bet they're in German. This type wears Speedos at the pools and beaches over there.

[Hardastarboard]

Every time I hear about one of these python attacks, I always ask myself "How do you shoot for center of mass with a snake?"

[GOPJ]

alligators gots sharp claws. can cut their way out of most anything...

That's my guess too. Maybe the gator was sleeping as the snake started to eat it - then the gator woke up...

[Stand Watch Listen]

pic has been around forever…

or

[Stand Watch Listen]

pic has been around forever…

or

[Stand Watch Listen]

pic has been around forever…

or

[CyberAnt]

Or the case of having eyes bigger than your stomach ..??

[Fudd]

"About 110 years ago, a friend to me a picture of a gator whoose gut was slit open, and a partially digested man inside. Talk about gross!" ... Something makes me question this story...

It must be true. I saw the picture here on Free Republic some time ago...

[SWAMPSNIPER]

"What happened to the snakes head"?

---

A REAL GATOR got it!

[mikrofon]

Morte Python

[hosepipe]

Wonder if there are any Anacondas in the glades..
A much potentially bigger snake..

[Apercu]

A few years ago, a little dachshund in Boca Raton, Florida, was let outside by its family....who'd already lost a dog to alligators. The dachshund was gobbled up whole(the little boy saw this from the back door.) Thinking their dog was lost forever, the family was amazed a short time later when there came a scratching at the back door...and there was the dachshund, hale and hearty! She'd been swallowed whole and promptly dug her way out of the gator's side. The vet said her instincts to go down a badger hole were what saved her. Dachshunds fight tooth and claw and only need a small hole to come out. The alligator was found floating belly up, dead, in the pond. Score one for dachshunds!

[Fierce Allegiance]

Everybody likes Dr. Demento. StarCMC is a fan, I beleive, and can link up just about any mp3 you can think of, or know someone who can!

I remember "fish heads" from the very early days of HBO where they had short clips between movies. That & The Chalice are all I really remember.

In my house, mac & cheese is called 'fishheads and rice', a term I started back when I was in college, trying to get by on no money, and a wife & 2 babies to feed.

[Buck W.]

There's got to be a Ted Kennedy joke in here somewhere.

[lilylangtree]

Every time I visit my momma, she fills me up with all her good southern country-style cookin' and I feel exactly like that python, biting off more than I can swallow.