A Florida man watched in shock Wednesday morning as a 10-12-foot alligator devoured another gator at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland.
"I've never seen a gator eating another gator," Alex Figueroa
told WTSP-TV.
He and others watched for at least an hour as the giant alligator held the smaller gator in its mouth. Finally, the larger gator began to thrash and eat the prey in its mouth.
Figueroa posted a video of the event to YouTube on Wednesday. It has since garnered more than 1 million views.
Gary Morse, of Florida Fish and Wildlife, told the TV station that gators can become more aggressive this time of year, the beginning of their mating season.
"There is a clear message when we see alligators acting aggressive between one and another, that's between them. Don't try to interact with them, just observe," he said.
Wildlife officials have closed trails where known gator fighting has occurred until the end of mating season.