Huge Burmese pythons can grow to over 18 feet in length and weigh 200 pounds. They can take on animals as large as deer and are also powerful eaters. Pythons search for their next meal using both their eyesight and sense of smell.

They always decide to ambush their victims rather than pursue them.. When ready, they swoop in on the unaware target after secretly lurking. Pits located around their jaws provide pythons with a practical adaptation that allows them to sense the body heat of adjacent prey as well. These trenches are useful for pythons searching for warm-ʙʟᴏᴏᴅed creatures in less than ideal lighting.

A python immediately grips its intended victim with its teeth as soon as it approaches. The prey’s breathing is then stopped and it suffocates as he begins to encircle it with his body. This compression causes the animal to die very quickly. As the animal exhales, the python’s grip becomes tighter.

The act of squeezing only pauses the respiration, it does not break the bones. It’s time to eat when the python finally releases his tight grip and the prey animal’s heartbeat disappears from his view. He starts by ingesting his prey’s head before proceeding down the body. He withdraws to a warm, comfortable location after eating to aid with the digesting process.

Let’s watch the sʜᴏᴄᴋing moment python constricts and swallows a big sambar deer in the video below:

Source: wildwatchers60