This stoic crane turned the tables on a stalking alligator after it stood its ground and scared the lethal predator back into the water. The gator was clearly eyeing up the large wading bird as lunch but was obviously about to bite off more than it could chew.
Footage shows the sharp-eyed crane standing on the bank of a waterway in Florida, watching as the alligator slowly emerged from the water looking for a quick meal.
But as the gator crawled up the embankment, the large bird—watched by three Canada geese—slowly backed away and spread its wings in a display of its size.
The crane then folded its wings and began screeching at the approaching gator as the two engaged in a prolonged staring contest, the gator becoming deathly still.
As the bird’s ominous calls continued, the gator appear to have second thoughts and, seemingly freaked out by the bird’s taunts, the reptile quickly turned tail and slid back into the water in utter defeat and humiliation.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission believes there are about 1.3 million alligators in the state, living across all 67 counties in wild areas that can support them.
The footage, below, was captured on March 16.
