This set of fascinating photos show a large snake devouring a giant lizard in Australia. The photos taken over five hours show a large snake of the constrictor type, kill its prey by squeezing and suffocation before swallowing head first.
The photos were posted to
Reddit with the caption: "I live in Australia. This has confirmed my feelings that I live in the wrong country."
Typically, the upper and lower jaws of snakes that swallow large prey have elastic ligaments and the skeletal structures of the head are articulated such that the snake can open wide, stretch and swallow very large prey.
The photos show the stages in the process in which the snake swallows a lizard almost as big at itself.
Many snakes can stretch their jaws more than 180 degrees.
The snake uses muscular contractions of its body to pull the prey in.
Reddit user: 122au5
It's dinner time
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Reddit user: 122au5
Constrictors kill prey by squeezing and suffocation
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Reddit user: 122au5
Snakes do not hurry at dinner table. This photos were taken over five hours
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Reddit user: 122au5
Snakes typically swallow head first
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The skin of the snake is also elastic and allows its body to stretch as it swallows the prey.
Reddit user: 122au5
Snakes typically have upper and lower jaws with elastic ligaments
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Reddit user: 122au5
The skeletal structures of the head are articulated such that the snake can open wide at sometimes more than 180 degrees.
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Reddit user: 122au5
Many snakes can swallow prey almost as big as themselves
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Snake do not chew their meals they simply swallow and allow strong stomach acid digest the meal slowly. A large meal may take several weeks to digest while the animal becomes inactive and vulnerable to attack.
Reddit user: 122au5
The snake's entire body is also elastic and allows it to expand to accommodate large prey
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Reddit user: 122au5
The snake uses muscular contractions of its body to pull the prey in
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Reddit user: 122au5
Snakes don't chew but strong acids in their stomachs digest their meal slowly
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Reddit user: 122au5
A large meal may take several weeks to digest while the animal simply becomes inactive and is vulnerable to attack.
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