Python pops after eating gator

October  5, 2005 

Scientists report that alligators might not be as effective as hoped in controlling the burmese python population in the Florida Everglades. A six foot alligator was found with its rear half hanging from the belly of a 13-foot python last week. Because of injuries on the alligator's body, Frank Mazotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor, believes that the gator was injured but alive when the python attacked. 
"Encounters like that are almost never seen in the wild. ... And here we are, it's happened for the fourth time," Mazzotti said. These remains were discovered September 26 by pilot and researcher Michael Barron. 
The non-native pythons are often released by individuals who are ill-equipped to care for the pet when it has grown more than expected. Iguanas present similar problems. The invading species often consume natives like the alligator, or tropical flowers, in the case of the iguanas.
Python pops after eating gator October 5 , 2005 Scientists report that alligators might not be as effective as hoped in controlling the burmese python population in the Florida Everglades . A six foot alligator was found with its rear half hanging from the belly of a 13 - foot python last week . Because of injuries on the alligator 's body , Frank Mazotti , a University of Florida wildlife professor , believes that the gator was injured but alive when the python attacked . " Encounters like that are almost never seen in the wild . ... And here we are , it 's happened for the fourth time , " Mazzotti said . These remains were discovered September 26 by pilot and researcher Michael Barron . The non - native pythons are often released by individuals who are ill - equipped to care for the pet when it has grown more than expected . Iguanas present similar problems . The invading species often consume natives like the alligator , or tropical flowers , in the case of the iguanas .
Python
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gator
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alligators
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the burmese python population
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the Florida Everglades
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A six foot alligator
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its rear half
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the belly
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a 13-foot python
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injuries
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the alligator's body
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Frank Mazotti
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a University of Florida wildlife professor
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the gator
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the python
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the fourth time
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Mazzotti
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These remains
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pilot
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researcher Michael Barron
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The non-native pythons
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individuals
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the pet
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Iguanas
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similar problems
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natives
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the alligator
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tropical flowers
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the case
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the iguanas
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Florida
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Florida
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