Now “this” is Florida energy in its most primal form — a straight-up prehistoric turf war broke out this week in Everglades National Park, and let me tell you, the footage is wild.
Picture this: It’s a sunny Wednesday afternoon near the Shark Valley Observation Tower. Tourists are milling around, taking in the beauty of one of America’s most iconic national parks. Then “boom” — jaws clash, tails whip, and two apex predators are suddenly in a heated brawl right there next to a bike rack. Not in the murky swamp, not deep in the mangroves — right there on the sidewalk like it’s “their” block. And maybe it was.
Captured on video by park visitor Taylor Bonachea, the clash between an American alligator and a rare American crocodile quickly went viral for good reason. These two don’t normally throw down in the open — but when they do? Nature doesn’t hold back.
The hissing, the snapping, the “blood” — yep, this was no friendly squabble. This was about territory, dominance, and claiming that perfect sun-soaked real estate like it was Miami Beach.
As Bonachea narrates in shock — “Oh, look at all the blood” — the crocodile ultimately emerges as the champ, claiming the sunny spot like a lizard queen on her throne, while the gator slinks back into the water in defeat. It’s brutal, it’s raw, and it’s a reminder that Mother Nature plays by her own rules.
Now, in case you’re wondering just how rare this is — it’s “extremely” rare. South Florida is the “only” place on the planet where American alligators and crocodiles live side by side in the wild. According to the USGS and the National Park Service, these two reptilian cousins usually keep to their own turf. Gators prefer freshwater. Crocs? A little more salty and secluded. But sometimes lines get crossed — and when that happens, well, cue the Jurassic drama.
Luckily, no humans were harmed — although some tourists got “way” too close for comfort. Let this be your reminder: These aren’t overgrown lizards. These are prehistoric killing machines with a combined 200 million years of survival instinct. You don’t want to be in the splash zone.
Check out this rare brawl between an American crocodile and American alligator that occurred over the weekend at Shark Valley, Everglades National Park!
Captured by Taylor Bonachea! pic.twitter.com/tnZeLXNcJU
— XANDER GEOGRAPHIC 🏕️ (@actionxander) March 24, 2025
And for the record, Florida’s had about 450 alligator bite incidents since 1948. Only 30 of those were fatal. Crocodile encounters are even rarer, but they “do” happen — especially if you’re kayaking in their backyard.
So whether you’re hiking, biking, or just trying to sunbathe, maybe give the reptiles their space. Because in the Everglades, the sidewalk doesn’t just belong to humans — sometimes, it’s prime reptile real estate. And hey, if you’re looking for a nature show? Florida “never” disappoints.
