Whole Alligator Found Inside Burmese Python in Gruesome Footage

A whole alligator has been found inside the stomach of Burmese python in Florida, gruesome footage shows.

The 18-foot Burmese python was caught by field workers in the Everglades national park in Florida. As soon as the field workers spotted the invasive reptile, they euthanized it on site.

The reptile was taken for a necropsy, where scientists found a whole, 5-foot alligator in its stomach.

The video of the discovery, taken by geoscientist Rosie Moore, shows scientists evaluating the bulge in the python's stomach before opening it up. Scientists can then be seen removing the whole alligator from its stomach.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. They are native to Asia, but they can also survive in Florida's climate. As they are so harmful to the ecosystem, the snakes—particularly large ones—are usually euthanized by scientists when they are spotted.

The snakes were introduced into the environment in the 1970s—likely as exotic pets released into the wild. Ever since, they have been extremely destructive to the native ecosystem, as they feast on Florida's wildlife. This, however, usually takes the form of smaller mammals and birds.

The Everglades are also home to an abundance of Florida's alligators. While it is not unheard of pythons to feast on them, it is still uncommon.

"While reports have been growing of python-gator predation and vice versa, I would not precisely characterize it as a common occurrence. The Burmese python mainly preys upon mammals, birds, and other reptiles," Moore told Newsweek. "A heavy emphasis has been placed on their impacts on mammal populations in south Florida. Studies have shown that pythons are linked to severe declines in the Everglades mammal populations, such as raccoons, opossums and bobcats. The python had begun to digest the gator, but for the most part, the gator was fully intact, and only the dermal layer was impacted."

Moore said that while she has caught many pythons, it is the first time she has ever come across this.

Burmese pythons are some of the largest snake species in the world. On average, they reach about 10 to 16 feet, but the biggest one ever found in Florida also measured 18 feet. Only particularly large snakes are able to swallow and digest such large prey items, such as this alligator.

"For research purposes, the stomach contents of deceased animals are sometimes removed to analyze commonly consumed prey," Moore said. "This aids in natural resource management and helps us understand the impacts pythons are having on native species. In this case, a necropsy was performed to verify what prey species the Burmese python had consumed."

Due to their large size, these snakes are able to swallow large prey. They are a non-venomous species but are incredibly strong. The species can swallow prey whole as their jaws are joined to flexible ligaments, meaning they can move around victims very easily.