On Thanksgiving morning, visitors to Everglades National Park witnessed a jaw-dropping spectacle: a massive alligator dragging an enormous Burmese python through the water. The shocking moment, captured on video, highlights the ongoing battle between Florida’s native predators and invasive species.
A Thanksgiving Surprise in Shark Valley

Kelly Alvarez, a local tour guide, was leading her group near the Shark Valley observation tower when the commotion began. One of the children on her tour spotted something strange in the water and started yelling. At first, Alvarez thought it was just a floating log. But as the scene came into focus, it became clear: this was no ordinary log—it was a dead python clutched firmly in an alligator’s jaws.
Meet Godzilla, the 12-Foot Alligator

The alligator, affectionately dubbed “Godzilla” by locals, is a regular sight in the area. Alvarez estimates Godzilla’s size at a whopping 10 to 12 feet long. She had seen alligators snacking on pythons before, but nothing prepared her for what came next. The python, which appeared bloated and partially missing its ends, stretched far beyond the length of Godzilla himself.
A Record-Breaking Python?

The snake’s size astonished Alvarez and others. Based on what she observed, Alvarez estimated the python to be at least 20 feet long. If true, this would make it one of the largest pythons ever found in the Everglades. For reference, the longest recorded Burmese python in Florida measured 19 feet.
Why Was the Python Bloated?

Alvarez explained that alligators often hold onto their prey for days or even weeks, allowing it to rot and become easier to tear apart. This habit likely explains why the python appeared so swollen. It’s a common feeding strategy among alligators when dealing with large meals.
The Battle Between Native and Invasive Species

The video not only highlights a surreal wildlife moment but also underscores a larger issue in the Everglades: the threat of Burmese pythons. These invasive snakes, native to Southeast Asia, have wreaked havoc on Florida’s ecosystems for decades. They prey on native species like birds, mammals, and reptiles, including deer and alligators.
Why Are Burmese Pythons a Problem?

Burmese pythons reproduce rapidly and have no natural predators in Florida. They’ve outcompeted many native species for food, causing sharp declines in populations of raccoons, opossums, and bobcats. Their impact on local wildlife has been so severe that experts have described it as an “ecological bulldozer.”
Alligators Strike Back

While Burmese pythons have proven formidable predators, Florida’s native alligators remain one of the few species capable of taking them down. Videos of alligators eating pythons surface occasionally, proving that even the largest snakes are not invincible in this ongoing battle for survival.
A Jaw-Dropping Wildlife Encounter

For Alvarez and her group, witnessing this epic scene was unforgettable. From the observation tower, they watched as Godzilla glided effortlessly through the water with his massive prize in tow. One of the children summed it up perfectly: “That’s so gnarly!”
The Everglades: Nature’s True Wild Side

The viral video of Godzilla and the massive python serves as a stark reminder of the Everglades’ untamed beauty and the delicate balance within its ecosystems. As Florida continues its fight against invasive species, moments like these reveal nature’s resilience—and its capacity to astonish us all.
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