An alligator and a python went at it in a epic throw-down at a Florida golf course.
Humans may have the UFC and MMA, but when it comes down to pitting unorthodox fighting styles across the food chain with no weight classes, a good ol’ reptile on reptile tussle has enough action that even Dana White himself might consider promoting them.
Thanks to one keen-eyed golfer at The Classics Country Club at Lely Resort earlier this week (Nov. 5, 2015) the rest of the internet and the state of Florida got to witness an alligator and python going at it right in the middle of their 18 hole golf course. According to the country club,
"Our Member, Pat Aydelott took this great shot while playing Fiddlers Creek down the street from us. Pat – can you get closer next time so the photo isn’t so grainy? Thank you!"
Apparently there is an epic battle of the food chain that’s been rumbling in Florida for decades that’s got a couple of native Floridians concerned. This particular python observed by that golfer is an invasive species and has been growing in population with alligators eating pythons and vice-versa. As early as the 1980’s this invasive species, the Burmese Python. was introduced into the local wildlife and has wrecked havoc on the local population of animals. According to Kathy Worley, director of science at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida,
"“Pythons are here, and they’re here to stay. They’re breeding, and that’s why we’re doing research with several partners to find out their behavior so that we can better manage them. Anything that removes one python from the equation – especially if it was a female, for example – is a good thing because females can lay a lot of eggs.”"
So although it may be disconcerting to see an alligator munching on a python, it’s the just nature’s way of self-balancing and we’re bound to see more of these predators face off on social media more often than not.