A heron swallowed a baby alligator whole before escaping from its mum’s revenge attack.
Michelle Siefken was filming wildlife in Lakeland, Florida, USA, on October 11 when she spotted a bird carrying its successful hunt.
Amazing footage captured the heron as it carried a two-week-old American alligator in its beak to the water to help with swallowing its meal.
Following 10 minutes of making its prey more palatable, it disappeared down the heron’s throat, who quickly had to fly away from the alligator mother’s lunge.
Michelle said: “I have never seen this before in person. I was surprised when I got close to the great blue heron, because from a distance I thought it was holding an eel.
“I had to be quick with my camera, knowing that at any moment the heron might try to get away from view, possibly even fly off with the hatchling.
“It took less than 10 minutes for the great blue heron to swallow the hatchling. Great blue herons are known to hunt young alligators.
“They are vulnerable at this size and stage, making them an easy meal especially when there are dozens scattered in the nest area.
“Great blue herons also commonly eat eels, sirens, and snakes, so an alligator hatchling is the right size and fairly easy to swallow.”
Be the first to comment