Florida is truly an entertaining state. You never know quite what to believe when reading news headlines, but this story has video proof! If one place in America is alligator-central, it’s Florida.
Although alligators can be found in various locations across the continental United States, they are best recognized for residing in Florida due to the Everglades and other marshes. One person spots them near a swamp in her backyard and records as an intense interaction occurs.
Alligators themselves need to exercise caution with one another, so it’s not only us humans who have to worry about being consumed! Cannibalism is not unfamiliar to alligators. The most vulnerable alligators are the young ones.
To maintain population control and prevent too much rivalry for food sources, alligators frequently consume their young. Since these reptiles don’t normally hang out in packs and prefer to be alone, it makes sense that they would have no problem eliminating any threat to their way of life.
A study found “6% to 7% of young alligators fall victim to the cruel fate of cannibalism,” according to Live Science. Let’s talk a bit more about what you’re about to witness!
Nature Taking Course
The video starts with a medium-sized alligator on the grass behind someone’s house. The person records as soon as they spot a smaller gator nearby. Thinking the two may have an interaction, which occurs around the 1:30 mark.
What these individuals recorded regarding alligator behavior is pretty unique. When cats are stalking their prey, their tails will twitch similarly to the larger gator in this video. This demonstrates the magnitude of the situation and the innate preparation of how to catch the possible prey.
As soon as he’s ready to attack, he speedily makes a lunge at the small gator, pinning it against a fence. The woman recorded reacts in shock as the aggressive alligator performs an impressive death roll, backward into the pond.
Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and other crocodilians engage in a whirling action to capture and dismember victims. The rotating motion, sometimes known as the “death roll,” involves quick rotation of the body’s longitudinal axis.
The small gator seems to make a fight for its life! According to some comments under the upload, he made an escape near the 3:20 timeframe. It’s hard to tell if the little guy made a getaway or if he stopped fighting for an entirely different reason.
One view writes, “Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this before. This is rare footage. Great recording.” It really is quite impressive to see an alligator death roll another one of its own species.
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