Epic Underwater Footage Captures a Powerful Gator Attacking a Massive Python

There are some wildlife videos that are so impressive, you can’t help but think of the cameraman’s courage and skill. The video at the bottom of the page is one of those. Check out some incredible footage of an alligator attacking a python (and a python attacking it back)!

Watch the Entire Scene Unfold in This Unbelievable Footage Below!

Do Alligators Eat Pythons?

Alligators snack on all types of different animals. When they’re young, their menu items consist of small critters like insects as well as small fish. However, when they reach adulthood, their menu expands considerably to include snakes like pythons. They start snacking on birds and turtles, but they also go for mammals, sometimes big ones like wild boars or deer.

Can Pythons Eat Alligators?

Interestingly, pythons also eat alligators. Now, they can’t tackle the adults, but a juvenile alligator can make for a tasty dinner if it comes within reach of a hungry python. Pythons also eat large mammals the way alligators do, including pigs and even antelope. If they’re smaller, however, they stick to what they can hunt and swallow, which may be something smaller like birds, lizards, and rodents.

Alligator vs. Python: An Underwater Showdown

When the video below starts, the intro clarifies what you’re about to witness. An alligator attacks a python underwater. Text on the screen goes on to explain that Burmese pythons frequently enter animal enclosures to feast on domestic livestock. However, alligators are territorial creatures and don’t take kindly to intruders. They do anything within their power to exile opportunistic pythons.

The scene is captured underwater, and the alligator is huge, taking up a large portion of the screen. You can see the python swimming just ahead of it. The gator is close — on its tail and as it floats toward it. You can appreciate how massive it is. Its forelimb rests lazily on the left side as it stays still, its gaze steady on the invader. It all seems peaceful for several moments but in the next scene, the python makes a bold move. It swims underneath the otherwise peaceful gator and bites it under its back leg.

Immediately, the gator reacts, lashing its body around, mouth open and ready to chomp down. There’s commotion in the water and bubbles appear, making it hard to see exactly what’s happening. Since it all happens so fast, you get a second chance to watch the footage, except this time in slow motion. The python is seen swimming underwater, and you realize there are multiple gators in the water. Watch until the end to see which gator attacks!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sorbis/Shutterstock.com