Why Florida’s Top Predator Is Not Always What You Think

The post Alligator crush: Why Florida’s top predator isn’t always what you think appeared first on AZ Animals.

Take it quickly

• Burmese pythons got the almost total disappearance gave 3 native species in the Everglades of Florida.

• Some species, such as fox, marsh rabbits, and cotton bunnies, they have almost they completely disappeared due to pythons in the area.

• 2005 field data counterintuitively confirm that a Burmese python can consume all American Alligator.

• Pythons utilize nest raiding to win the a battle earlier crocodiles never reach the Showdown.

Who do you think would win a python vs crocodile fight in Florida?

Usually, we look to real-life examples for clues, but surprisingly, there aren’t many of them. While there are a few examples of pythons getting into it with alligators in Florida, they don’t seem to have many significant interactions with crocodiles.

That doesn’t mean we can’t bet a pretty good guess on our own, though. In fact we can take a look at the pythons and crocodiles in Florida and see who comes out victorious in an encounter between them.

Let’s pass!

Pythons: An Invasive Species in Florida

The Burmese python is not a native species in Florida. However, they are often found around the Everglades in southern Florida. Native to Southeast Asia, Burmese pythons were first brought to the United States as exotic pets. Some pet owners ended up releasing the snakes into the wild, and the problem began.

The Burmese python is now considered a nuisance to the Everglades ecosystem, and for good reason. These pythons compete with native animals for food. They have also caused severe declines in many native species, including bobcats, opossums, and raccoons.

Some species, such as foxes, marsh rabbits, and cottontail rabbits, have almost completely disappeared due to pythons.

In fact, they have even been known to eat alligators in some cases. In 2005, in the Everglades of Florida, the body of a Burmese python was found with an American alligator in its stomach!

Crocodiles in Florida

The American crocodile, or sharp crocodilethey generally fill South Florida. This is the northern end of the crocodile’s range in most cases. They can be found in coves, ponds, and creeks in mangrove swamps, and typically live in areas of salt or brackish water.

Floridians often see alligators basking in the sun. Because they are ectothermic animals, they rely on external heat to regulate their body temperatures.

They are the largest reptiles in the world and are said to be capable of producing tears. They cannot chew their food, and to improve digestion, they are known to swallow rocks. Crocodiles also have special hearts. Their hearts have four chambers just like humans do!

Shy and reclusive, they are generally not a danger to people. If you are approached by a person while basking in the sun, they usually run away quickly into the water.

American crocodiles typically eat small mammals, frogs, fish, turtles and birds. Humans are the main threats to crocodiles due to habitat destruction and poaching.

Crocodile nests are also in danger because of predators, such as birds, crabs, and raccoons. In some cases, pythons even eat alligator and crocodile eggs.

Where Do Pythons and Crocodiles Live?

Pythons live in tropical areas of Asia and Africa. They can thrive in either wet or dry environments; however, they are fresh water and completely marine. They like it warm and wet so their bodies can stay warm. They are usually found in tropical forests, woodlands, grasslands, swamps, and shrubs.

These types of environments are home to many different creatures, such as the crocodile. This is why these creatures are natural enemies because they share the same waters and wetlands.

How Long Do Pythons and Crocodiles Live?

If a Ball Python is able to survive as an adult, they can live about 10 to 15 years in the wild. However, the life expectancy for a ball python living in captivity is about 30 years. Some, however, have been recorded to live over 50 years when properly cared for.

The Key Factors in a Battle Between a Python and a Crocodile

When predicting who will win in a battle between a python and a crocodile, we must consider all factors. Knowing the physical characteristics of these two animals is very helpful in this process.

Size

Pythons are often longer than crocodiles, reaching up to 26 feet in length, while crocodiles are usually no more than 20 feet long. However, crocodiles have the size advantage, as they tend to be much heavier. While a python is typically no more than about 200 pounds, a crocodile can be up to 2,000 pounds.

Crocodiles have the size advantage over pythons.

Speed ​​and Movements

Both pythons and crocodiles have the ability to stay submerged under water for long periods of time. However, crocodiles are much faster, and in some cases can run up to about 25 miles per hour. Pythons only slide at about a mile per hour. Even though crocodiles can only run for short distances, they can easily catch up to a python in many cases.

Crocodiles have the speed advantage over pythons.

Consciousness

Pythons have the ability to use heat sensors and chemical receptors to track their prey. However, they typically have poor eyesight. Crocodiles have better eyesight and can see in the dark. They have keen senses of hearing and smell, as well as the ability to sense even subtle changes in pressure.

Crocodiles have keener senses than pythons.

Physical Defenses

Pythons and crocodiles are both relatively large animals, although crocodiles are significantly larger. Pythons can camouflage themselves quite effectively. Pythons and crocodiles both have the ability to submerge themselves underwater.

In terms of physical defenses, it is a cross between pythons and crocodiles.

Offensive Abilities

Both pythons and crocodiles are known for surprise attacks. Pythons have sharp teeth and the ability to constrict their prey with their bodies. Their bite is painful, but not venomous, and it is not a strong enough bite to be fatal in most cases. Crocodiles, on the other hand, have the strongest bite ever seen on a living animal.

The Winner in the Battle Between Pythons and Crocodiles in Florida

Given the vital statistics of the two competitors in this fight, we would have to say that in a meeting between a python and a crocodile in Florida, the crocodile would probably be the winner.

Of course, pythons are not completely powerless. If they are able to get past the mother crocodile and eat crocodile eggs, they can prevent the crocodiles from getting to the fight in the first place.

The pythons can clearly hold their own, which is why they are so successful as an invasive species in Florida. But given the crocodile’s size and strength, there is unlikely to be any competition between the two. Perhaps at some point, we will see evidence of crocodiles helping to control this invasive species.

Is it normal for Pythons and Crocodiles to fight?

The simple answer here is yes. The python lives in an aquatic type habitat and while swimming is vulnerable to attack. This means that if a python is in the water, it is in impressively perfect conditions for crocodiles. While smaller snakes can be caught and eaten more easily than a crocodile of any size. The older a python grows, so depending on the age of the snake the crocodile may not attack.

The post Alligator crush: Why Florida’s top predator isn’t always what you think appeared first on AZ Animals.