Giant python caught swallowing even bigger snake alive in world first

Scientists in Bangladesh have documented a 10-foot-long Burmese python swallowing a reticulated python alive, an unprecedented encounter involving two of the world’s largest snake species.

Researchers at the Akiz Wildlife Farm in Chittagong spotted the Burmese python coiling tightly around the other snake and swallowing it by the tail.

It took the python about two hours to completely devour its prey, according to a report published in the journal Reptiles and amphibians recently.

The incident took place in October 2020.

The reticulated python tried to defend itself by squeezing the Burmese python, but released its grip after being subdued, the scientists said.

A Burmese python eats a larger reticulated python at a wildlife farm in Bangladesh (Adnan Azad/Reptiles & Amphibians)

Scientists are puzzled by this behavior, as the animal farm offered better food options to both snakes.

They suspect that a territorial conflict may have led to one python eating another.

The Burmese python and the reticulated python are the only types of python found in Bangladesh and both are on the United Nations Red List of Threatened Species.

The Burmese python can grow up to 5 meters long and is found throughout Bangladesh. The reticulated python, the world’s longest, can grow up to 6 meters and is found in the eastern regions of Sylhet and Chittagong.

The Chittagong border region between India and Burma is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to many species, including the two pythons.

This area is also home to lizards, rodents, monkeys, small carnivores, deer and wild boar, all of which are potential prey for snakes.

Workers at a French zoo hold a reticulated python (AFP via Getty)

Both pythons, native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, are found primarily in forested regions and occasionally in gardens and farms.

Scientists counted the chickens living at the Akiz animal farm and found that none had been eaten by either snake.

Young Burmese pythons seen in an enclosure at the Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata (AFP via Getty Images)

Based on these observations, scientists suspect that this rare incident was likely triggered by a fight over territory.

“To our knowledge, this observation represents the first documented predation of M reticulatus by P bivittatusthey said.