Photo: Gator Battles Giant Python on Golf Course

People aren’t the only ones fed up with the python invasion south Florida has experienced in recent years. One of the state’s native creatures recently decided it was time to take matters into its own hands, or more aptly, teeth.

It seems Pat Aydelott was there to witness some of the action while playing golf in Naples.

Aydelott snapped a shot – from a safe distance – of a massive gator coming out of a pond to take a bite out of an equally massive Burmese python. Aydelott shared the story and the shot with his home club, The Classics County Club at Lely Resort. The Classics, in turn, shared the battle between the two titans with the world via its Facebook page.

The club’s spokesperson told Patch it remains a bit unclear just who ultimately won the battle, but it’s believed the gator managed to create a fine meal for itself.

Burmese pythons have become a real concern in South Florida where reports of the critters continue to make headlines as a variety of small mammals – including domestic pets – serve as staples in their diets. In recent months, a python created a scene on a south Florida beach while another one snuggled up in flea market clothes.

See Also:

• Catch Pythons, Get Paid
• 10-Foot Python Suns on Florida Beach
• Python Camouflages Itself in Flea Market Clothes
• Gator comes Knocking on Florida Homeowner’s Door

The nonnative creatures have been a problem in South Florida since the 1980s with their population continuing to grow. The numbers have climbed so much, the state launched a Python Challenge hunt in 2013 to cull the numbers, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. A new challenge is set to take place in 2016 with online registration now open for would-be python hunters.

Unlike pythons, alligators are Florida natives that are managed by the state. While humans and these creatures often live in harmony, gators are known to cause a problem or two now and again, as well. Earlier this week, a 9 ½-foot alligator gave a Lutz family quite a scare when it showed up on their doorstep in the middle of the night.

To help residents deal with unruly alligators, the state has set up its own hotline to accept calls about nuisance critters. That number is 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

In 2013 alone, the state fielded 15,036 nuisance alligator calls, which resulted in the removal of 6,605 creatures.

Photo courtesy of The Classics Country Club at Lely Resort and Pat Aydelott