Python swallows 15 lb cat whole, in Miami

[Grimmlok]

Lock up your toddlers, ladies..

Miami Gardens, Florida - Elidia Rodriguez of Miami Gardens had been looking for her year-old Siamese cat for two days when her son pointed out the bulging Burmese python slithering in her backyard.

Experts say that bulge in the 12-foot snake is probably the missing 15-pound cat.

Rodriguez got the cat last year as a post-hurricane gift. She named the cat Frances, after the storm.

The snake was spotted in Rodriguez's backyard yesterday.

Experts with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue antivenin unit says Frances wouldn't have stood a chance against the larger predator.

The snake was captured and taken to the Sense of Wonder Nature Center at AD Barnes National Park.

Earlier this month, authorities say a 13-foot python burst after it apparently tried to swallow a live, six-foot alligator whole.

[LynnieD]

What the hell is w/these goddamn phythons?? It seems awfully strange that all of a sudden there are pythons all over Florida eating whatever they see, like cats and alligators.

[muchlove]

I swear, when I clicked on the thread, I thought it said "Paltrow swallows 15 lb cat whole".

[LynnieD]

Originally Posted by muchlove

I swear, when I clicked on the thread, I thought it said "Paltrow swallows 15 lb cat whole".

That would be so much better wouldn't it??? Newsworthy!

[muchlove]

Indeed! I was a little disappointed when I saw what it really was.

[DisruptiveHair]

If a python swallowed my cat, I'd use a chainsaw to open the snake and get my fuckin' cat. Fuck snakes.

[muchlove]

You know, I love all animals and everything, but if it came between my cat and the snake... the snake's going down. Sorry, bud.

[Grimmlok]

LOL that snake could swallow YOU whole

[DisruptiveHair]

I love animals too, but I have killed many snakes without a drop of remorse. Many snakes. Including one of my brother's pet snakes. No remorse whatsoever.

[barbiedoll25]

I live in Miami and want to know... why the hell are there pythons here? Pple need to stop getting these worthless creatures for pets. What's the point? They ALWAYS end up escaping or being dumped by the owner.. As in hmm... shucks I didn't know a python would grow to be this large. It looked so cute and cuddly when I got it aw gee shucks.

[Grimmlok]

Pythons are from south America, and can pretty much grow to about 25 feet long if there's a steady supply of food.

Thing is, besides crocs and aligators they don't have any natural predators in north america.

[moomies]

This is kinda off topic here (sorry ) but I dreamed that I was bitten by a poisnous snake twice in my leg and scratched by a cat on my other leg right after. I had to go to the hospital to get the anti-venom and rabies shots...

[AliceInWonderland]

WHAT ABOUT THIS STORY:

Python's Stomach Ruptures After Gator Meal
Animals Compete In Everglades

POSTED: 5:40 am PDT October 6, 2005
UPDATED: 5:45 am PDT October 6, 2005

MIAMI -- Alligators have clashed with nonnative pythons before in Everglades National Park. But when a 6-foot gator tangled with a 13-foot python recently, the result wasn't pretty.


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Slideshow: Python's Stomach Ruptures After Gator Meal
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FeedRoom

Python, Gator Battle



The snake apparently tried to swallow the gator whole -- and then exploded. Scientists stumbled upon the gory remains last week.

The species have battled with increasing frequency -- scientists have documented four encounters in the last three years. The encroachment of Burmese pythons into the Everglades could threaten an $8 billion restoration project and endanger smaller species, said Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife professor.

The gators have had to share their territory with a python population that has swelled over the past 20 years after owners dropped off pythons they no longer wanted in the Everglades. The Asian snakes have thrived in the wet, hot climate.

While the gator may have been injured before the battle began -- wounds were found on it that apparently were not caused by python bites -- Mazzotti believes it was alive when the battle began. And it may have clawed at the python's stomach as the snake tried to digest it, leading to the blow up.

The python was found with the gator's hindquarters protruding from its midsection. Its stomach still surrounded the alligator's head, shoulders, and forelimbs. The remains were discovered and photographed Sept. 26 by helicopter pilot and wildlife researcher Michael Barron.

http://www.nbc4.tv/irresistible/5064677/detail.html CLICK 4 sick ass picture!

[WickedHo]

Team Crocodile!

[AliceInWonderland]

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9600151/