“Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.” — Cordell Hull
Perhaps a wiser course of action would be to never insult an alligator, ever…even if you’re another alligator.
While doing the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge we came upon a scene I’ve never witnessed before. Two alligators, one smaller then the other, faced off with the outcome of the larger gator quickly killing the smaller one.
I didn’t witness the actual kill but spoke to the person just ahead of us who did. We could only guess the larger alligator felt his territory was being threatened by this foolish smaller gator.
However it went down, I grabbed my camera and began photographing as the larger alligator, with his fresh kill firmly in his mouth, started moving into the reeds along the road. Our presences seemed to make the gator uneasy (it’s presence was certainly making me uneasy as well) so after a brief pause it turned and headed back into clear water and away from us.
Death is always sad but it’s as much a part of nature as is life.
Nature has a violent aspect to it and is part of the life cycle. It shocks us to be witness to it but through out history man has been found capable of the same thing. I watched a violent conflict between mallard ducks the other day. I was amazed at how disturbed it I was. And, no I will not insult an alligator.
For certain there is a harsh side to nature which is often unforgiving and difficult to witness. Yes, be polite to gators! Thanks, Monte. :-)
Words to live by!
For me, easy to remember to do, Steve! :-)
Thanks!
Wow, that’s something else. I wonder if gators swallow something that big like a snake does?
I believe they rip off big chunks and swallow. They have that tremendous closing jaw strength. Thanks, Mark!