Alligator And Crocodile Caught on Video Brawling on Sidewalk in Florida’s Everglades National Park

A crazy brawl on a road running through Florida’s Everglades has gone viral. It was not a fight between hoodlums of the two-legged kind, but an alligator and a crocodile faceoff instead. Instinctively, one might wonder at the veracity of such claims, “An Alligator and a Crocodile???” how on earth does that happen? Well, if you’re in Florida it does because Florida’s Everglades is the only place where one can see alligators and crocodiles existing, not peacefully though as one can see from the video below. The two distinct reptiles albeit from the same genus were caught in a deadly brawl oblivious of human witnesses. It was a street fight, the likes of which city dwellers don’t usually see, even in Florida.

The Encounter: A Battle for Territory

In a remarkable display of nature’s raw power, a visitor to Florida’s Everglades National Park captured a rare and intense confrontation between an American alligator and an American crocodile. The encounter, filmed by Taylor Bonachea on March 19, 2025, and uploaded to the video platform Storyful was reported on Fox News’ You Tube channel four days ago. The video showing the two reptiles indulging in a massive brawl near the park’s Shark Valley Observation Tower, showcases the unique coexistence of these two formidable reptiles in the wild.

Bonachea filmed the croc and gator entwined in a fierce struggle on a sidewalk adjacent to a bike rack. The reptiles were filmed seen hissing and snapping at each other, drawing blood as they vied for dominance. Onlookers, some alarmingly close to the action, watched as the battle unfolded with many assuming it was all over rights to a prime basking spot. Ultimately, the alligator retreated into the water, conceding the sunny basking spot to the crocodile.

Florida: A Unique Habitat for Both Species

Florida holds the distinction of being the only place in the world where American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) coexist in the wild. This unique overlap occurs primarily in South Florida, including the Everglades, where the freshwater habitats preferred by alligators meet the brackish and saltwater environments favored by crocodiles. ​

While both species share similar habitats in Florida, they can be distinguished by notable physical differences. Alligators possess a U-shaped snout and are typically dark gray or black, whereas crocodiles have a V-shaped snout and usually appear lighter grayish brown. Additionally, alligators are more commonly found in freshwater areas, while crocodiles are more tolerant of saltwater environments.

An Ongoing Reptilian Feud

This has not been the first time gators and crocs have been seen fighting in the Everglades. There have been documented instances of alligators and crocodiles engaging in fights, however, such instances are rarely witnessed making Bonachea’s video truly a remarkable and rare one. 

Between crocodiles and alligators, there is no guessing who comes out tops from such skirmishes. Crocodiles are larger and more aggressive than alligators with a more powerful bite force and deadly fighting prowess. This gives them an advantage over gators who usually back down later.

Safety Guidelines for Park Visitors

Encounters with these reptiles, though rare, can pose risks to humans. Since 1948, there have been approximately 450 reported alligator bites on people in Florida, with 30 resulting in fatalities. Park officials advise visitors to maintain a safe distance from all wildlife, supervise pets closely, and avoid feeding or approaching alligators and crocodiles. Such precautions help ensure the safety of both humans and animals in these shared habitats.