There has been one documented case of an '''exploding snake''', whereby a [[Burmese python]] burst. The 13-foot (4 meter) [[snake]] had attemptedswallowed toa eat6-foot an(1.8 meter) [[alligator]] whole, but exploded mid-meal. Rangers of the [[Everglades National Park]] discovered the explosioncarcasses in [[October 2005]], but they could not locate the snake's head; the alligator had also died. Frank Mazzotti, a professor from the [[University of Florida]], suggested that the alligator had tried to claw its way out of the snake, causing the explosion. Alternative theories suggest the alligator could have already been dead, or a third animal was involved.
SnopesAn offersurban-legend otherwebsite, possibleSnopes, alternativesuggests explanations.that Theafter pythoningesting ate anthe alligator (possibly an already-dead one it came across), and some other agent — probably human — killed the snake,choppedwas off its head, andpossibly cut open itsand midsection,beheaded exposing the as-yet undigested gator. Or,by another alligatorindividual came(either alonga andhuman bitor theanother snake'spredator). stomachSnopes andalso thenproposes decapitatedthat ita withgas it'sbuild-up mouth.caused Or,by the rottingdecompsing gator meat inside the python caused a build-up ofalligator gasescould whichhave ruptured the snake's body, and after the python diedthat its head sank into the water, where it was eaten by scavengers.
The incident was noted as a sign that alligators' supremacy as predatorsa predator is not a certainty in the wild. Frank Mazzotti, a wildlife professor at the [[University ofFlorida]],also remarkednoted that a human discovery of such a battle between these predators was rare indeed.
The incident was part of a "[[python epidemic]]" in which pet owners released their pythons throughout [[Florida]], in belief that they would not cause trouble. At least 93 pythons were captured, not including the one involved in this incident. This "python epidemic" continues presently.
