A heron swallowed a baby alligator whole before escaping from its mum’s revenge attack.<br /><br />Michelle Siefken was filming wildlife in Lakeland, Florida, USA, on October 11 when she spotted a bird carrying its successful hunt.<br /><br />Amazing footage captured the heron as it carried a two-week-old American alligator in its beak to the water to help with swallowing its meal.<br /><br />Following 10 minutes of making its prey more palatable, it disappeared down the heron’s throat, who quickly had to fly away from the alligator mother’s lunge.<br /><br />Michelle said: “I have never seen this before in person. I was surprised when I got close to the great blue heron, because from a distance I thought it was holding an eel.<br /><br />“I had to be quick with my camera, knowing that at any moment the heron might try to get away from view, possibly even fly off with the hatchling.<br /><br />“It took less than 10 minutes for the great blue heron to swallow the hatchling. Great blue herons are known to hunt young alligators.<br /><br />“They are vulnerable at this size and stage, making them an easy meal especially when there are dozens scattered in the nest area.<br /><br />“Great blue herons also commonly eat eels, sirens, and snakes, so an alligator hatchling is the right size and fairly easy to swallow.”
