A 1.5-meter-long crocodile was found intact in the stomach of a Burmese python in Florida, scientists said.
The 18-foot python was captured by Everglades National Park workers and euthanized on site, Florida-based geoscientist Rosie Moore told USA TODAY on Friday.
According to Moore, during an autopsy in the research lab, scientists found the alligator in the stomach.
A viral video of the discovery shot by Mr. Moore The show posted on her Instagram page Gloved scientists assessing the bloating of a python’s stomach before cutting open a python on the floor.
The scientist is then seen sliding the alligator out of the snake’s stomach.
“The alligator was completely unharmed,” Moore said Friday. “Only minor rot in the outer skin layer. The bone skin (skin bone deposits) was completely intact!”
Moore added that the alligator’s size and slight rot created a particularly unpleasant scent.
“It smelled awful,” said a 26-year-old master freediver from Boca Raton.
Warning: Video contains graphic content
As of Friday, Moore’s post of the footage has garnered over 337,000 likes and over 2,600 comments, including one from Instagram user trusty_official.
“Everything had to be cooked. It would have been a spooky Cajun version of Turdakken,” one user wrote.
What is Turdakken?: Click here for how to make 1
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Another user wrote:
According to Moore, the Burmese python is an invasive species in Florida. Native to Asia, he is one of the largest snakes in the world, with a body length of over 20 feet.
Under Florida law, Burmese pythons must be euthanized.
end of last month Over 230 pythons removed from Everglades As part of an annual convention to eliminate invasive species from wetlands reserves in South Florida.
“These snakes have successfully penetrated ecologically sensitive areas such as the Everglades National Park,” Moore wrote. “This poses a threat to a wide variety of wildlife due to the python’s wide range of dietary preferences.”
Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on her Twitter. @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. Florida python video shows whole alligator in snake’s stomach