CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Monster Alligator Eats Another Alligator

"It's typical alligator behavior. They are cannibalistic at times."
|

Alligators may be fierce apex predators, but there's something even they have to watch out for: Other alligators. 

At least one gator learned that lesson a little too late at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida this week when it was eaten by a much larger beast.

Several people in multiple locations at the 1,267-acre reserve saw the monster gator chowing down on a littler one, leading to a number of incredible clips posted on YouTube and across social media. 

Alex Figueroa, who shot one of the clips, estimated the larger gator to be 11 or 12 feet long, according to a description he posted on YouTube. 

Andrew Lilyquist, who shot the clip at the top of this page, told WFTS in Tampa that he'd heard about gator fights and went hoping to catch one on camera -- but he hadn't expected to actually see one. 

"My heart was racing," he was quoted as saying. "I just saw that big head and I said ok this is going to be great."

Another clip, filmed by Octavia Heart, shows what appears to be the same gator in another location at the reserve having a gator snack:  

The station said this kind of aggression is common, especially during mating season, which runs from March through mid-June.

"It's typical alligator behavior," Florida Fish & Wildlife officer Gary More told Fox 13 in Tampa. "They are cannibalistic at times."

While the attacks were seen over several days, they could have involved the same gators. 

"What alligators will typically do 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," said Morse.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Great Gators and Crocs
(01 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligator portrait close up (credit:George Shelley Productions via Getty Images)
(02 of18)
Open Image Modal
Florida alligator and no swimming sign. (credit:Images Etc Ltd via Getty Images)
(03 of18)
Open Image Modal
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile endemic to the southeastern United States. It is one of two living species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae and larger than the other extant alligator species, the Chinese alligator. It is a species in which the males measure 3. 4 to 4. 6 m in length, and can weigh 453 kg. Females are smaller, measuring around 3 m. The American alligator inhabits freshwater wetlands, such as marshes and cypress swamps from Texas to North Carolina. (credit:Danita Delimont via Getty Images)
(04 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligators on rocks, Florida, USA, (Close-up) (credit:Gary Faber via Getty Images)
(05 of18)
Open Image Modal
Yacare caiman thermoregulating, Caiman yacare, Pantanal, Brazil (credit:Mint Images - Frans Lanting via Getty Images)
(06 of18)
Open Image Modal
Everglades NP, Florida, USA (credit:Renaud Visage via Getty Images)
(07 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligator (credit:Jeremy Woodhouse via Getty Images)
(08 of18)
Open Image Modal
American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. This alligator looks threatening but is actually thermoregulating. Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. UNESCO World Heritage Site (Biosphere Reserve). (credit:Nancy Nehring via Getty Images)
(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
Crocodile in river (credit:Oktay Ortakcioglu via Getty Images)
(10 of18)
Open Image Modal
UK, Captive. (credit:Michael Dunning via Getty Images)
(11 of18)
Open Image Modal
American alligator-alligator mississippiensis. (credit:Mark Newman via Getty Images)
(12 of18)
Open Image Modal
An alligator suns himself by the Anhinga Trail, in Everglades National Park. He has a bit of an overbite (credit:Mickrick via Getty Images)
(13 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida (credit:Darrell Gulin via Getty Images)
(14 of18)
Open Image Modal
Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus, Rio Baia Bonita, Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (credit:Franco Banfi via Getty Images)
(15 of18)
Open Image Modal
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR (ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS) (credit:Art Wolfe via Getty Images)
(16 of18)
Open Image Modal
Brazil, Alligator (credit:SambaPhoto/Daniel Arantes via Getty Images)
(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligator walking out of water (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)
(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
Alligator (credit:Antonello via Getty Images)