With all due respect, AD, I think you miss the point. There seems to two different definitions of "occupying".

I agree with Upscale's assessment as being benign or beneficial, while you jump to the conclusion it has to be detrimental. Perhaps your experience is heavy on the domestic animal/clinical and not so much on the field study. Don't mean to ruffle your feathers.

I can remember when protection of Alligators was put in place, as there was fear they would be extirpated. They've made a roaring comeback to the point of being a nuisance. Quite possibly predation of American Alligators by Pythons is beneficial.

I did come away with that from the Nature show on PBS. It was actually "documented" as happening. Proven to my satisfaction. No hypothetical.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer