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Florida man records snake hitching a ride on alligator's back

The hunter who recorded the video called it, "The most Florida thing you will ever see."

By Ben Hooper, UPI

Published Aug 21, 2024 11:01 AM EST | Updated Aug 21, 2024 11:01 AM EST

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An alligator was spotted with a small snake hitching a ride on its back in Ochopee, Florida, while a hunter was participating in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge. The hunter called it “the most Florida video ever.”

Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A Florida man hunting for pythons in the Big Cypress National Preserve captured video when he spotted a snake hitching a ride on the back of a swimming alligator.

Bobby Ruiz was participating in the Florida Python Challenge, an annual event aimed at controlling the population of invasive Burmese pythons, and captured video when he came across the snake and alligator practicing the buddy system.

"This is the most Florida thing you will ever see," Ruiz says in the video.

Ruiz said the snake in the video was not a Burmese python, so he let it be.

The Florida Python Challenge is held each year to curb the Burmese python population in seven wilderness areas, including Big Cyprus National Preserve. The top hunter each year receives a $10,000 prize.

Read more:

Florida’s Python Challenge offers military vets a chance to heal
Snake showdown: Florida calls for hunters to register for python hunt
Albino alligator hatches at Florida safari park
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