Pythons are notorious for swallowing gigantic prey—like deer, alligators and cattle—whole. But how can reptiles with such small heads eat animals so big?

Burmese pythons can consume prey even larger than scientists realized, according to a new study published in the journal Reptiles & Amphibians.

Pythons swallow deer, alligators and other prey whole. What they can eat is limited to and dependent on how big the Burmese python’s mouth opening can stretch.

Burmese pythons can consume prey even larger than scientists realized, according to a new study. That means more animals are on the menu across southern Florida, where the nonnative, invasive snakes ...

Jayne said measurements of the longest Burmese python (19 feet) and two other very large snakes (15 and 17 feet) captured in South Florida show that the pythons have a gape bigger than even ...

Jayne said measurements of the longest Burmese python (19 feet) and two other very large snakes (15 and 17 feet) captured in South Florida show that the pythons have a gape bigger than even ...

What they can eat is limited to and dependent on how big the Burmese python’s mouth opening can stretch. Researchers call this the snake’s gape. Burmese python swallowing deer whole.

Pythons swallow deer, alligators and other prey whole. What they eat is limited in part by how big an animal they can wrap their flexible, stretchy jaws around. Researchers call this the snake’s ...

Burmese python caught swallowing full-sized deer proves the invasive snakes are eating bigger native prey in Florida, study says.

For pythons, their hearts appear to be avoiding the pitfalls of a stiff heart. Their hearts become much more stretchy while still producing the immense forces required to eat their prey.

Pythons known for consuming large prey It's not the first time this species of snake has been caught snacking on large prey, with adult possums often on the menu.