Alligator vs. Electric Eel (VIDEO)

Ever wonder who would win between an electric eel and an alligator? While we can't confirm the validity of this video that has been making its rounds across the web, it appears to show an alligator (or Caiman) bite an electric eel, and get a shocking surprise.

This video has sparked debate in the animal rights community, in part because it is unclear what is really happening. Clearly, if this video was a setup, it is an offensive and cruel display. That said, one video translation suggests that the man was fishing when he caught the eel, but didn't have a knife on hand. Before he could retrieve one, the hungry alligator unexpectedly came along. The man allegedly says at the end of the video, "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Do you think the video was staged, or just another display of Mother Nature in action? Let us know in the comments.

WATCH an alligator take on an electric eel:

Comments

[Stephen Leary]

12:39 PM on 12/19/2010

of course this was staged......f'n humans

[nowwhat2]

12:02 PM on 12/19/2010

This is what happens when animals bite into an electirc eel. That's why they're made that way. A more mature caiman may have kept its distance no matter how much the person was trying to bait it.

[Eris23Skidoo]

02:33 AM on 12/21/2010

What makes you think the human was baiting it? It was right next to the Caiman and it was wriggling. If that didn't look like lunch to an alligator I don't know what would.

[judderwocky]

01:57 AM on 12/19/2010

This video might look consensual but the alligator was actually kidnapped and forced into this industry by fisherman. Alligators get paid almost nothing for working this sort of gig if they are paid at all, not to mention the risk of disease. These videos are circulated widely to audiences that don't realize the degrading nature of this sort of work. Alligators are chosen for these roles because their kind are unusually conductive and it is confusing to watch a snake attack an eel. Unfortunately this same alligator might get zapped all day by eels that are complete strangers, never knowing who that eel has discharged before. Directors often times pressure alligators to do scenes without rubber protection guards, as these scenes sell more readily to audiences that want to see live electrical contact. Often times those shooting the videos are too concerned with their own "safety" to intervene in a shoot if something goes wrong for the alligator.

[Eris23Skidoo]

02:36 AM on 12/21/2010

At least someone around here has a sense of humor.

[Iwpach]

02:08 PM on 12/22/2010

Yeah that looks all sorts of Kayfabe.

[judderwocky]

01:45 AM on 12/19/2010

We're gonna walk down to electric avenue....

[judderwocky]

01:40 AM on 12/19/2010

So the eel is native to that habitat. The alligator is native to that habitat. The man is fishing and catches something in that area... but a gator tries to steal it and dies and so the man is being cruel?

Animal rights groups are getting progressively more insane if this is what they focus on.

[RedRat]

07:31 PM on 12/18/2010

I take him at his word. To those who say pull the eel out, take a look at the alligator, would you want that to happen to you. Just another day in the Darwin Garden.

[laineyt]

03:08 PM on 12/18/2010

He could have just pulled the eel up on shore away from the alligator, but instead he watched and waited. Either he is REALLY dumb or just plan cruel.

[cjd411]

07:50 PM on 12/18/2010

um, would you have pulled that thing out of there??? i wouldn't have wanted to get near either of those creatures!!!

[Raw Ron]

11:33 AM on 12/18/2010

Cmon folks, stop being so up tight. This is hilarious. He didn't make the gator take a bit. If the gator had any evolutionary sense he would have swam away

[judderwocky]

01:41 AM on 12/19/2010

lol... both animals are native to that area. it probably thought if it stole the food it would get an easy meal. either way it is very funny. and a very amusing way of catching an alligator!
+2 to human ingenuity.

[Madison T]

03:44 PM on 01/01/2011

Maybe it's just because I'm an animal person, but even if this wasnt staged, he should not have just stood there. Just watching animal die in front of you, when you could have done something about it is still cruel and not funny. Alligators rarely come in contact with eels seeing as an eel is a much faster water animal and mainly dwells at the bottom of water. To this alligator, it was dinner. THat man could of grabbed a stick or something and could have tried to push the alligator away. If it didn't work, at least he tried, I'm not saying he had to put his own life in danger but he could have tried something.

[rougebaisers]

05:55 AM on 12/18/2010

If the vast majority of humans on this planet disappeared, the world would be a better place.

[Brenda McLane]

09:40 AM on 12/18/2010

Then set an example and off yourself.

[JadooGAR]

07:24 AM on 12/19/2010

HAHAHAHA :D

[dididangerlove]

05:51 PM on 12/17/2010

This was staged and it's disturbing to watch even though the Caiman didn't die.

[Max Shaw]

02:06 PM on 12/17/2010

At the end of the clip, the Caiman is still moving...It didnt killed him. It def. stunned him though. Very cruel nonetheless.

[Max Shaw]

01:47 PM on 12/17/2010

Fascinating.. Wonder how often this actually happens in the natural word..ya know, minus the fishing line and lure.

[Marcel2010]

01:40 PM on 12/17/2010

he enticed the crock with the eel until he bit, it was obviously premeditat­ed....the eel was on a line, bleeding from the mouth, he already had the eel.

[disprovit]

01:32 PM on 12/17/2010

no one got impressed with this joke first time I posted it but heck I give it one more try :)

Fish #1: What is it wrong with that alligator?
Fish #2: He got eel
Fish #1: Shocking!

[Marcel2010]

01:40 PM on 12/17/2010

drool......

[WestCoastLib]

01:51 PM on 12/17/2010

hahaha, thats not so bad. come on ppl its FRIDAY!!!

[wonderfullone]

12:41 PM on 12/17/2010

It looks like it was "Lights Out" for the Alligator and he didn't get to eat his last meal.