Python's Last Meal: Alligator Tears Snake Apart

In late September 2005, a grim discovery was made in a remote section of Everglades National Park. A 13-foot Burmese python was found split open, with the hind end of a six-foot alligator protruding from its midsection. Biologists determined that the python had attempted to swallow the alligator whole, but its stomach ruptured, leading to the death of both animals.

This event underscored the alarming presence of invasive Burmese pythons in Florida, a species not native to the region. American alligators, however, are native to the Everglades. Scientists were already aware of clashes between these species, having documented four previous encounters. However, this particular incident, resulting in the death of both creatures, served as a stark warning.

The proliferation of Burmese pythons in the Everglades is attributed to the exotic pet trade, with many released by owners unable to care for them. By 2005, these invasive snakes had established a breeding population and were ascending the food chain, posing a threat to native species crucial for an $8 billion Everglades restoration project.

Twenty years later, as of 2026, the python problem persists and has intensified. State agencies now conduct organized hunts to manage the escalating population, illustrating that the 2005 incident was an early indicator of a significant, ongoing ecological challenge.