Burmese Python vs. Alligator
From the Set Animal Showdowns
Today, two swamp creatures will see who can take the other one down. Who is more powerful? Which one has the fiercest bite? Which animal is the fastest? The Burmese python is much longer than the alligator. Her body is full of strong muscles. She is a constrictor, using her body to squeeze her prey to death. Nearby, the American alligator lurks in the shallow water. The alligator is a lot heavier than the snake. He uses his size and powerful bite to crush prey. Both reptiles are apex predators. They win most fights. There can only be one winner in this showdown. Who will prevail?
SLJ Review of Animal Showdowns
Gr. 3-5 – This new entry in the field of animal battle books takes readers through ten rounds of an imagined fight, supported by interesting facts and solid visuals. Lively present-tense narration describes each stage of the conflict, with points awarded for each section and a running total throughout. Most animal facts are related to predation and defense, with some additional information noted in fact boxes. Some of these pairs could actually meet in the wild; this is usually, but not always, stated clearly in the text. Photographs of combatants highlight features and behaviors related to the fight, such as the zebra’s kick (Giraffe vs. Zebra) and the tiger shark’s teeth (Leopard Seal vs. Tiger Shark). Most show only one of the animals, though staged images in Scorpion vs. Tarantula and an actual photo of two foxes fighting in Arctic Fox vs. Red Fox are particularly satisfying. VERDICT: Strong additions to this popular sub-section of animal books.