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. 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. Bow down: The alligator growls in panic as the otter bites down on its neck in the water . P-otter and Voldemort: Although an alligator would traditionally be seen as the superior predator in this fight, it did not stand a chance against the otter . oh, snap: The animals were photographed at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, where the otter attacked the juvenile alligator, completely overpowering the reptile . The otter attacked the relatively young gator by biting it over the neck, ensuring it could not turn around and bite back. After a short struggle, the otter was able to drag the reptile onto a riverbank and out of sight. It then proceeded to eat the animal alive, validated by the ‘crunching noises’ that could be heard from the bank. Despite their adorable appearance, otters are the apex predator of many freshwater species. The munchies: The otter later dragged the juvenile gator on to a riverbank and began eating it alive . Otterly terrifying: The photographer said he was certain the otter ate the alligator because of the 'crunching noises' 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 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.
Otter attacked a young alligator at Florida wildlife reserve .
Photographer snapped the struggle which saw the otter victorious .
Ensuing 'crunching noises' proved that the otter had a decent meal .
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. 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. Bow down: The alligator growls in panic as the otter bites down on its neck in the water . P-otter and Voldemort: Although an alligator would traditionally be seen as the superior predator in this fight, it did not stand a chance against the otter . oh, snap: The animals were photographed at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, where the otter attacked the juvenile alligator, completely overpowering the reptile . The otter attacked the relatively young gator by biting it over the neck, ensuring it could not turn around and bite back. After a short struggle, the otter was able to drag the reptile onto a riverbank and out of sight. It then proceeded to eat the animal alive, validated by the ‘crunching noises’ that could be heard from the bank. Despite their adorable appearance, otters are the apex predator of many freshwater species. The munchies: The otter later dragged the juvenile gator on to a riverbank and began eating it alive . Otterly terrifying: The photographer said he was certain the otter ate the alligator because of the 'crunching noises' 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 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.
Florida, where it soon became clear that the otter attacked the juvenile alligator, completely back. After a short struggle, the otter was able the alligator because of the 'crunching noises'