Don’t touch my child! Mama alligator gives chase after a cheeky heron snatches one of her young from the nest
This hungry heron clearly got bigger than he bargained for after snatching a baby alligator from its nest.
The vulnerable reptile was caught by the huge wader, which then fled with its lunch in its beak.
Yet the plucky bird was detected by the alligator’s irritated mom, who stood up on her hind legs as it pursued, uncovering its fearful teeth.
The heron had actually detected the baby alligator and caught it in its beak before making a break for it
The protective monster spun after the frightened Great Blue Heron until it finally dropped its precious cargo on the yard.
The six-inch-long child then proceeded to scuttle his nest during a wildlife arrival in Polk County, Florida, under the watchful eye of his mother.
Professional photographer Claudia Kuenkel, 46, recorded this incredible moment.
She said: ‘It was a pretty incredible sight. Luckily, I was 90 feet from the action, so I wasn’t stressed about my own safety.
The Great Blue Heron thought it had found a lunchtime snack, but was identified by the mom hovering near the nest.
‘The first thing I saw was the bird just standing there. It hadn’t been a big deal, so I avoided it, but the next thing I saw was this big alligator running around.
“Usually they just lie in the sun and don’t move around either – I’ve never seen one like that.”
The heron doesn’t appear to have actually had time to fly off, as it was skirting the grassy embankment.
The frantic bird tries to take off as its massive pursuer closes in.
Yet it stayed close to the nest after dropping its lunch at the chance of another nibble.
Mrs. Kuenkel, from Florida, added: “In fact, it was only after looking at my photos that I saw the baby alligator in the heron’s beak and realized what had really happened.
‘I’ve never seen a heron consume a baby alligator like this one, but I know they’re at risk for all kinds of killers when they’re that small.
‘ Mothers are very secure and can be relentless if someone tries to harm their babies. Fortunately, this set had its mother watching over it.
As the alligator practically rears up on its hind legs, the frightened heron drops the baby to the ground.
After chasing the potential killer, the mother returns to her nest with her baby, but the ever-determined heron hides in case of further possibility.
