Animals
Burmese python eats even bigger reticulated python alive, in 1st-of-its-kind encounter
A Burmese python has been spotted attacking and swallowing a reticulated python. The unusual encounter could be the first known case of these species — two of the world's biggest snakes — preying on one another, scientists say.
Researchers in India observed the rare event in 2020, and images captured the moment the Burmese python (Python bivittatus) began feasting on the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) from the tail up, while it was still alive. It took about two hours for the snake to be completely consumed, scientists reported in a research note published Aug. 20 in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians.
"It was a really unusual situation to find two pythons in the same area," study co-author Ashikur Rahman Shome, a wildlife ecologist at Dhaka University in Bangladesh, told Live Science.
When the scientists arrived, the 10-foot-long (3 meters) Burmese python was coiled around the slightly larger reticulated python's tail. The latter tried to fight back by constricting the Burmese python, but it eventually loosened its grip and was swallowed from the tail end up.
Related: The biggest snake in the world (and 10 other giant serpents)
Burmese pythons can grow to 19 feet (5.8 m), while reticulated pythons can reach up to 25 feet (7.6 m). In thi case, the reticulated python was larger than the Burmese, but the exact length was not taken, Shome said.
The event took place on the Akiz Wildlife Farm in Bangladesh's Chittagong Division. This area is one of the few places where the ranges of Burmese and reticulated pythons overlap. The two snake species prey on similar Animals, such as maMMAls, birds and lizards.
-
Animals3w ago
Aпcieпt Discoveries of Skeletoпs aпd Alieп Statυes Igпite Theories of Forgotteп Civilizatioпs.
-
Animals3w ago
Breakiпg News: Researchers Reveal the Real Secrets of the Bermυda Triaпgle
-
Animals3w ago
At 17, Brad Pitt’s daυghter FINALLY coпfirmed what he thoυght for a loпg time: Diddy PUSHED mє dowп aпd forced mє to…
-
Animals4w ago
Aпcieпt Astroпaυt Discovery: 2,400-Year-Old Fiпd That May Chaпge Oυr Uпderstaпdiпg of Hυmaп History.
-
Animals4w ago
Eloп Mυsk Uпveils 700mph Hyperloop: Faster Thaп a Boeiпg 747 aпd Revolυtioпiziпg Travel
-
Animals4w ago
Shockiпg: The Mysterioυs Joυrпey of Flight MH370 After 10 Years
-
Animals4w ago
Sυrvivor of the Bermυda Triaпgle: A Pilot Reveals the Mysteries He Witпessed.
-
Animals1m ago
History’s Darkest Hoυr: The Chilliпg Dowпfall of a Giaпt Tribe at the Haпds of Aпcieпt Hυmaпs.