florida wildlife – Syndication Server

Florida panther sneaks up on opossum, but outcome is a surprise

Footage reveals that top predators such as endangered Florida panthers aren’t always savage beasts.

Florida panthers prey on an assortment of mammals, including opossums. But for one seemingly oblivious opossum recently, it must have been its lucky night.

The accompanying footage, credited to Dick Brewer and shared by Matt Devitt of WINK Weather, shows a panther walking up behind an opossum, seemingly out of pure curiosity.

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Although both animals bare their teeth, the encounter features a surprise ending, revealing that top predators aren’t always savage beasts.

Top comment on Facebook: “This is the Florida we need to be saving.”

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Endangered Florida panthers are protected by state and federal law, numbering slightly more than 200 individuals. Their top prey items are deer and wild hogs.

Watch as Florida gator drags massive python across pond

Large Burmese pythons are known to eat alligators in the Everglades. But sometimes the opposite is true.

Large Burmese pythons are known to eat alligators in Florida’s Everglades region. But sometimes the opposite is true.

The accompanying footage, captured Nov. 28, shows a large gator swimming across a pond with a giant python in its jaws.

“This is one of the coolest, most impressive sights I have had the pleasure of seeing since working in Everglades National Park,” Florida Findings declared Monday via Facebook. “Our biggest alligator in the Shark Valley [Trail] Loop, about 12 feet in length, dragging an invasive Burmese Python that is at least twice his size.”

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ABC News, crediting Kelly Alvarez and Storyful for the footage, stated via Instagram: “Visitors to Florida’s Everglades National Park were stunned to see an alligator swimming with its catch — a Burmese python so large it even stunned the tour guides.”

The extraordinary footage has been widely shared since Monday.

In Florida, non-native Burmese pythons pose a significant threat to native wildlife, including small gators. They can be hunted without permits as the state attempts to reduce their numbers and slow their spread.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the longest alligator recorded in Florida measured 14 feet, 3-1/2 inches. The weight record is 1,043 pounds.

The longest Burmese python captured in Florida measured 19 feet and weighed 125 pounds.

Record python nest containing 111 eggs discovered in Florida

Just after the capture of a record-breaking 19-foot Burmese python in Florida, the state announced the shocking discovery of a record-breaking nest containing 111 python eggs.

Days after the capture of a record-breaking 19-foot Burmese python in Florida, the state announced the discovery of a record-breaking nest containing 111 python eggs.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. They’re found in and beyond the Everglades and prey on native species such as mammals, birds, other reptiles, and even small alligators.

The shocking discovery of so many eggs in one nest helps illustrate the prolific nature of a species that has few natural predators.

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However, Florida is combating the spread of pythons through various programs, including the Python Action Team Removing Invasive Species, or PATRIC.

The nest with 111 eggs was discovered in the Everglades and removed by contractors as part of the PATRIC program.

The 19-foot python – the longest ever recorded in the state, replacing an 18-foot python – was captured Monday by hunters in Big Cypress National Preserve.

Burmese pythons are not protected in Florida, except by anti-cruelty laws, and can be hunted year-round without a permit or license.

The annual Florida Python Challenge, with a grand prize worth $10,000, is scheduled Aug. 4-13.

–Image courtesy of Brandon Rahe