iStockphoto / Kalawin/phototrip/williamhc
Florida sent a reminder to the rest of the nation this past that it’s basically a feral combination of Australia and Jurassic Park when tourists to the Everglades National Park witnessed a saltwater crocodile fighting an alligator. Few outside of Florida even realize there are both crocodiles and alligators in South Florida and this viral footage is blowing people away.
As a 2nd-generation Floridian who has spent most of my life in the Sunshine State, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen a saltwater crocodile in the wild in this state. They are rare. But if you know where to look, they can be found in the Florida Everglades and other parts of South Florida.
This video was filmed in the Everglades National Park by a tourist. Seeing this crocodile fighting an alligator is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. While these species cross paths daily in the Glades it’s unheard of to see them on land, on a sidewalk, battling it out like this. WARNING: this content may be difficult from some viewers to watch but no animals get hurt.
Onlookers in the background could be heard gasping as the crocodile and alligator were fighting it out. This occurred near the bike rack just outside of the Shark Valley Observation Tower.
For those who might be quick to say ‘it’s mating season in Florida’ we are still pretty early for that. Typically, alligator mating season in Florida occurs between May and June but it can start early with unseasonably warm weather.
The weather hasn’t been warm enough this Winter though to trigger an early mating season so this is most likely just a territorial battle for food between the crocodile fighting the alligator for the better space. Crocodiles get a LOT bigger than alligators here in Florida and around the world, typically, but these two seem to be relatively evenly matched.
Ultimately, the alligator took a hike instead of fighting the crocodile any further:
Just another day in Florida…right?