The water moccasin didn’t stand an opportunity…
While Florida technically doesn’t have probably the most numerous number of wildlife within the US, that appears to me like a bunch of scientific nonsense as a result of zooming out and looking out on the variety of lethal animals alone paints a loopy image of the Sunshine State ecosystem.
Pythons, panthers, sharks, sting rays, black bears, crocodiles, I imply simply studying that listing and also you would possibly suppose you’re speaking about Australia, not a place tens of millions of individuals go to for trip yearly that homes a large theme park centered round a mouse and his spouse.
That listing doesn’t even embody the 2 creatures we’re speaking about right here: Venomous snakes and alligators. Florida is home to six species of venomous snakes together with 3 breeds of rattlesnakes, copperheads, coral snakes, and cottonmouths, additionally known as water moccasins. Most are inclined to stay within the closely forested areas and brushlands, however the water moccasins, as their title would recommend, thrive close to lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Although a lot fearful in their very own proper, there’s simply no competing with the king of Florida waters. Alligators are inclined to eat principally fish and small sport, however when the chance arises, they’re not afraid to take out a few of these slithering swimmers, particularly after they’re sunning on the shore and most vulnerable.
This video is a chief instance of that.
A cottonmouth is minding its personal business, absorbing the rays of one other good Florida day, when unbeknownst to it, a dinosaur is closing in. The gator silently slides up proper subsequent to him, and when the prey is in placing distance, lunges ahead, grabs ahold, and provides the snake a life ending thrashing earlier than gobbling it down in a couple of fast bites.
It’s all the time stunning to see an alligator’s energy in motion. Even although the snake is far smaller, the pace and violence which it ends its life sends chills up my backbone.
Score one other one for the alligators…
