Python Devours Massive Crocodile Whole In Australian Swamp

If you're anything like me, you'll have been told after many a Chinese buffet that your eyes are bigger than your belly, as you stagger home, your stomach having reached the third trimester of hoisin crispy duck pancakes.

However, a snake in Australia has put our collective all-you-can-eat efforts to shame, consuming an entire crocodile whole.

GG Wildlife Rescue/Martin Muller

The incredible feasting took place in a swamp in Mount Isa, Queensland, and was photographed by intrepid kayaker, Martin Muller. His snaps were then shared on Facebook by GG Wildlife Rescue Inc, with the caption: "SSSSssssssssensational.

"Amazing pictures of an olive python Australia's 2nd largest snake & Western Australia's largest having a feed on an Australian freshwater crocodile (crocodylus Johnstoni).

"These pictures were taken by Martin Muller while kayaking."

The post concluded: "Wow amazing nature, I love both these creatures & understand the need to eat."

GG Wildlife Rescue/Martin Muller

The post has since been shared 28,000 times.

The pictures show the olive python unhinging its jaw and slowly consuming the huge freshwater croc, leaving only the tip of its tail on show.

When the python began to chow down on the croc, almost all of us would have guessed it had bitten off way more than it could chew. However, the python doesn't chew at all and is not venomous.

Rather, it kills by wrapping itself around its prey and squeezing the life out of it.

The giant snake then necks its prey and lets its digestive system do the rest... Surely no amount of Activia is going to help this slithery fella with that bloat though.

GG Wildlife Rescue/Martin Muller

While it would be much less risky for the python to dine on pigeons, bats or ducks, Michelle Jones - who is the owner of the non-profit organisation GG Wildlife Rescue Inc - told The Daily Mail: "It's common for them to eat pretty much anything if they can fit it in their mouth."

Still, judging by the comments on the Facebook post, it seemed most people couldn't believe what they were seeing.

One person said: "Wow. Thought crocs were at the top of the food chain. Gives you a very healthy respect for the python. Hope I never meet one."

Another added: "How amazing is that ????? You wouldn't think a python could consume a freshie like that."

A third said: "I don't wanna kayak where that's a thing."

I'll second that. Maybe just stick to the buffet.

Topics: Weird, Animals, Australia

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey