FWC: Alligators snacking on each other 'typical'
As more photos of alligators eating each other surface in Florida, Fish and Wildlife officials say this is 'normal behavior' for alligators.
"It's typcial alligator behiavior. They are cannibalistic at times," said FWC officer Gary Morse.
Several photos taken on different days by photographers at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland show larger alligators feasting on smaller alligators. In one video taken by Alex Figueroa, who was on a morning walk at the reserve, the alligator is seen with half of the alligator in its mouth as it crossed a trail. "What alligators will typically do," said Morse," is they'll take that animal and stuff it some place for a week or two until it gets nice and soft and they can tear it apart."
Then, the alligator will return so it can finish it.
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This behavior is typical of the alligator, but not necessarily for any single reason. "Sometimes it can be territorial, but very often alligators are cannibalistic," Morse said.
Typically, the males are more aggressive, especially during mating season, which runs from March until June, Morse said. But as long as the weather is warm in Florida, alligators are more active in general, he said.