Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Python v. Alligator
Over 150 pythons have been caught in South Florida in the last two years. This article documents what can happen when you turn a large predator (the python) loose in a habitat which already has an established large predator (the American alligator). In this case, a 13-foot Burmese python swallowed a 6-foot alligator, but apparently the alligator was not dead and clawed his way through the python's stomach. The results were not pretty.
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2 comments:
I saw the coverage of that story on the net news today and it was an example of people screwing with the environment.
Thanks to all who responded, especially for the kind words on the blog. I try to highlight the most interesting (OK, interesting to me) developments in science and technology.
Yes, the gator v. python encounter is an example of what happens when humans introduce an alien species. It may not be devastating in the long term, since large constrictors and crocodilians coexist in areas of South America, Asia, and Africa, but we should do our best to avoid such uncontrolled experiments with complex ecosystems.
Regards,
Matt
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