Burmese pythons are eating larger animals whole

The Burmese python is a creature that can swallow prey you wouldn’t even dare to imagine. These snakes aren’t native to your backyard unless you live in Southern Florida, where they have largely replaced raccoons, foxes, and bobcats in their diet.

Extraordinary python diet

Pythons are known for their ability to make a hearty meal out of deer, alligators, and other large creatures.

They consume these animals entirely, with jaws stretchy enough to accommodate a feast seemingly too large for their size.

This extraordinary ability to chow down on such big game is related to the snake’s “gape,” and guess what? Scientists have recently discovered that this gape is even more spacious than initially thought.

Evaluating the Burmese python gape

Professor Bruce Jayne from the University of Cincinnati said measurements of snakes captured in and around Everglades National Park show that the biggest pythons have an even bigger gape than mathematical models would suggest.

Collaborating with researchers Ian Easterling and Ian Bartoszek from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Professor Jayne has evaluated some of these mammoth snakes measuring 15, 17, and 19 feet long.

The information unveiled was nothing short of startling. The most sizable python had a gape of 26 centimeters (or 10.2 inches), which is significantly larger than the previously recorded 22 centimeters (or 8.7 inches).

Professor Jayne said that at first, this doesn’t sound like a significant change – just 18% larger. But the total area of the gape increased by a whopping 40%, he noted. 

The largest pythons had a gape circumference of more than 81 centimeters, which is the equivalent of a 32-inch waist on a pair of pants.

Unbelievable feasts

So, what’s the big deal with some extra room? Well, it means pythons can devour even larger prey than we realized.

Their astounding ability to swallow is backed by some eye-opening evidence. The researchers found one audacious snake gobbling down a deer weighing 77 pounds – about two-thirds of the snake’s weight.

According to Bartoszek, observing this apex invader swallowing a full-sized deer is an unforgettable sight and serves as a stark reminder of the ecological impact of Burmese pythons.

From Asian rainforests to Florida

Interestingly, Burmese pythons aren’t native to Florida but hail from the southeast Asian rainforests. They ended up in the Sunshine State due to the pet trade and the irresponsible practices of owners.

The unique anatomical structure of pythons, with a jawbone that’s not fused at the front and super-stretchy skin, blesses them with a gobbling power six times that of other similar-sized snakes.

Secrets of python power

One of the fascinating aspects of studying pythons is the size range within the species; they vary from 24 inches long and 4 ounces at hatching to nearly 20 feet and 200 pounds as adults.

This diverse size range has influenced the researchers to understand better the correlation between the snake’s gape, its cranial anatomy, and overall size, thereby getting a grasp of its predatory prowess.

Consequences of python invasion

Although Burmese pythons of more than 16 feet are rare, their broader gape and increasing presence are alarming. The collective removal of 770 pythons, all more than 6.5 feet long, weighed over 33,000 pounds.

If each snake were to consume just one deer as big as they could swallow, that would equal an astonishing 13,000 pounds of prey.

Python population control

In response to the burgeoning python population, various innovative control techniques are being tested. One promising approach involves the use of specially trained detector dogs that excel in identifying and tracking the scent of these elusive snakes.

These canine companions have already proven effective in uncovering hidden pythons in the wild, supporting conservation efforts in restoring the balance of Florida’s delicate ecosystems.

Similarly, advanced technological solutions, including motion-activated trap systems and thermal imaging, are being deployed to further bolster efforts in managing and reducing python numbers.

These creative methods highlight the increasing necessity of multidisciplinary approaches in battling invasive species.

Future of python research

Looking ahead, the future of python research is expected to delve deeper into understanding their ecological impact and finding sustainable solutions to mitigate their spread.

Continued collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and local communities will be vital in crafting strategies that are both effective and respectful of biological diversity.

The insights gained from studying Burmese pythons in Florida not only enhance our understanding of invasive species but also inform broader ecological and conservation principles applicable worldwide.

Ultimately, as research progresses, the balance between preserving local wildlife and managing invasive predators such as pythons will define the success of these conservation efforts.

Threat from Burmese pythons

These realities pose significant concerns about the Burmese python’s ecological impact, particularly if they spread to other parts of Florida and, potentially, the rest of the American Southeast.

Their increasing prevalence in various regions across Florida is a glaring testimony to their phenomenal (and frightening) impact on prey populations.

“That’s the tip of the iceberg of this phenomenal impact on prey populations in Florida,” Jayne said. “Researchers are trying to get a handle on where the spread might stop.”

This leaves us all with some questions – will the Burmese Pythons continue their reign of terror? How can we manage the growing python problem in Florida?

The study is published in the journal Reptiles & Amphibians.

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