Are birds and alligators friends?

[red324]

I was on the boat the other day and these birds landed right on shore next to an alligator. I mean they don't see that alligator sitting there in the water? 🤷

[Kori1236]

An alligator has no reason to hunt birds. If you think of it from an energy perspective it costs energy to hunt and kill something, so if you’ve got a large gator and a bird on the shoreline it’s a waste of energy for such a small prize. That doesn’t mean gators and crocs won’t prey on birds they do it more when they’re small juveniles and the bird is worth the energy payout. Some birds will also hitch rides on the back of gators and eat insects and other parasites off the counterparts bodies so it can be a symbiotic relationship in that case

[ArrowheadSW]

I don't live where there are alligators, so I've never thought of it. Interesting perspective!

[Kori1236]

I don’t either but I watched a lot of nature shows as a kid lol. It makes sense though, why waste energy on something that won’t be beneficial to you

[red324]

So what do they eat then?

[Kori1236]

Fish, small mammals, birds if they’re large enough to provide a good enough caloric and energy payout (or if the gator is a juvenile and is unable to hunt larger prey items.)

[Anonymous]

If you consider them attacking eachother to be friendship

[red324]

I guess they're just dumb

[Leapfrog00]

Alligators have intense aggression and can attack anyone or anything that comes near their territory. The bird may have not been bothering the alligator though.

[red324]

No but he may be hungry

[FunkyMonkee]

All animals are our friends! But, they won't pick you up at the airport!

[Pterodon]

I think gators only eat when in the water so the bird knew it was safe

[shades777]

I think you should ask them

[red324]

I don't speak gator