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They may appear cute and cuddly, but as one alligator soon learned, otters can be vicious predators.
These photos show an otter overpowering a juvenile gator and despite the reptile doing its best, it was no match for the fanged weasel-cousin.
These photos show an otter overpowering a juvenile gator and despite the reptile doing its best, it was no match for the fanged weasel-cousin.
The animals were spotted at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, where it soon became clear that the otter was in it to win it.
Although an alligator would traditionally be seen as the superior predator in this fight, it did not stand a chance against the otter
A typical adult American alligator's weight and length is 360 kg (790 lb) and 4.0 m (13.1 ft), but they sometimes grow to 4.4 m (14 ft) long and weigh over 450 kg (990 lb).
Despite their adorable appearance, otters are the apex predator of many freshwater species.
Although they mainly feed on fish, they often add shellfish, crabs and small mammals to their diet and it is not unheard of that they go for larger animals and reptiles such as juvenile or small alligators.
North American river otters can grow to be three to four feet long and weigh between 10 and 30lbs and must eat the equivalent of 15 per cent of their own body weight each day to keep warm.
Although they mainly feed on fish, they often add shellfish, crabs and small mammals to their diet and it is not unheard of that they go for larger animals and reptiles such as juvenile or small alligators.
North American river otters can grow to be three to four feet long and weigh between 10 and 30lbs and must eat the equivalent of 15 per cent of their own body weight each day to keep warm.
The otter attacked the relatively young gator by biting it over the neck, ensuring it could not turn around and bite back.
The attack took place at a 21,574 acre wildlife refuge along the St. Johns River near DeLeon Springs.
Its geographical location, which overlaps subtropical and temperate climates allows for a high diversity in types of animals, including 215 species of birds, 22 species of amphibian and 50 species of reptiles.
Its geographical location, which overlaps subtropical and temperate climates allows for a high diversity in types of animals, including 215 species of birds, 22 species of amphibian and 50 species of reptiles.
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