Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • ZME & more
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
Home Science

Shocking images of a python devouring a crocodile whole in Australia

Nature is lit!

by Tibi Puiu
July 10, 2019
in Science
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Pythons are biologically equipped to consume prey much larger than themselves. It’s very common to see these large snakes gulping down deer, impalas, and sometimes even humans. But despite this knowledge, it’s still shocking to hear about a python devouring a crocodile. This is exactly what happened to an Australian freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) which was unfortunate enough to stumble into the jaws of an olive python (Liasis olivaceus).

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc .
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

The grisly footage was shared on social media by GG Wildlife Rescue Inc., a nonprofit in Australia on May 31. According to the NGO’s Facebook page, the images were taken by kayaker Martin Muller near Mount Isa, Queensland.

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Pythons kill their prey by wrapping themselves around it, squeezing tighter as the victim exhales. Within minutes, the prey dies by suffocation or cardiac arrest. Pythons swallow their food whole thanks to the way their jaws are connected by very flexible ligaments, which can stretch around large prey. Their digestive system and metabolism are also perfectly adapted to breaking down huge meals all at once.

To handle the sudden influx of calories, pythons are known to rapidly increase the size of their internal organs, including the intestines, heart, and kidneys.

Pythons are almost exclusively mammal feeders, although they can consume reptiles. The unlucky Australian freshwater crocodile seen in these photos illustrates this fact.

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.
Credit: Martin Muller/GG Wildlife Rescue Inc.

Tags: crocodilepython

ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • ZME & more

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • ZME & more
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.