Burmese Python's Jaw Opens 40% Wider: A Record 77-Pound Deer Swallowed in Everglades

Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades can swallow prey as enormous as a 77-pound deer - their jaw-opening capacity shatters previous scientific estimates.

[{"selector":"#anim-72b43b0f-3904-4690-9e27-4381e82d05e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-815c8eb4-1ec1-474f-a8b6-446ea5f55854","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-104cd0cf-f881-4f13-8e63-3265fef44179","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae9b6fd6-be64-4691-8765-c115a327b4b0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b945fca2-13a4-4c53-a3cb-53c4485b65e5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4aba2b2e-9cf4-4467-a705-49dbacc8e4a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Kool Shooters

Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades can swallow prey as enormous as a 77-pound deer - their jaw-opening capacity shatters previous scientific estimates.

[{"selector":"#anim-b8c1afd6-154d-43c3-a0c8-720de7ddde52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-597ee622-4814-4679-8f16-4a926bc00372","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84c5e4c7-0a4a-40be-957a-94a8a302ed39","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc73fade-101b-42f9-8372-c349e8e48a78","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2af76efb-1433-4ff3-bd35-91a10892cc64","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc47296c-df9d-4114-a913-c7c6cc0aeeb0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Glogger Photo Source: Glogger

Unlike mammals, these pythons can swallow extraordinarily large prey whole because their flexible jaw structure allows them to unhinge their mouths - a capability previously underestimated by researchers.

[{"selector":"#anim-a667be14-830c-4446-99eb-f48040bcd598","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80f0a762-9559-4d02-aacb-026daa93cbc4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c89e1a6-ccd6-402d-9606-0e241aff0d76","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-923230ea-20c3-4602-a10e-b9aef9baefea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f7c3b7e-d2af-40b0-8de5-992d0568fb13","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6696c86-a40e-4326-bd88-6ac6bd9c3ef0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Albino Burmese Python

The secret behind their extreme feeding ability lies in their unique anatomy: their lower jaw bones aren't fused together like human jaws, allowing unprecedented flexibility during feeding.

[{"selector":"#anim-9a67c579-9ee9-460a-910e-e36d539e02cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ad47f5f-98b7-4367-aef0-b18c5f01e9f9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-240e27a8-42c0-49da-b881-6701c50660ca","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45ad9c2d-e8ac-4728-9f9b-b57719db86ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2e24bff-4b30-4654-ab38-4b86dda18105","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97aba4b2-777e-4f94-b959-035a7ec1566e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: 500px (CC BY 3.0) Photo Source: 500px (CC BY 3.0)

Recent measurements from the University of Cincinnati reveal that Burmese python gape size can reach up to 26 centimeters wide with a circumference of 81 centimeters - dimensions that redefine their hunting potential.

[{"selector":"#anim-cb83f933-9cba-4eed-9ee7-b6180e31a3b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8aed8bc7-9913-444e-af85-e19d5207daf0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fdf9e6b-9be7-4ff2-9ff6-09a1ca864535","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4659ccf-e823-4a33-ae61-9e36033b40d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bfa8779d-8402-494a-8dc5-7f00cf23deee","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eecbab41-2ad3-4d43-bee6-1b5f1300692e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: John Englart (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Current measurements of their jaw-opening capacity exceed previous scientific expectations by 40%, forcing researchers to recalculate the range of prey these predators can consume.

[{"selector":"#anim-cb409b2d-5b17-4019-85ed-3e2448ebc189","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-20c095a9-3991-4789-88eb-92b3bd57f730","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ab81702-7216-436c-90c8-d140ba4fd116","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af5ea8a0-b03b-4467-9086-2f0cf9a3c4fa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54b0008c-8a7a-4225-8b4a-d6f048ec1f2d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2910329d-5650-4a5f-824b-b0b5f9687772","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Hannes Steyn (CC BY-SA 2.0) Photo Source: Hannes Steyn (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A documented case in Florida revealed a python had consumed a 35 kg (77-pound) deer, representing approximately two-thirds of the snake's total body mass.

[{"selector":"#anim-d321402f-b602-41b8-80c6-29e84420020d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22cac2a1-c116-4dc9-a401-cac06d461633","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9e50745-2bb9-4205-9fb8-aa09e32ff65e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a0a735f-b5da-42d4-a0c3-2d54a111145a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4f1613f-0cdf-4423-b7cd-dfb02f9891dd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63dc9632-a7cf-443e-bae4-9b3ce08541cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Tambako The Jaguar (CC BY-ND 2.0)

[{"selector":"#anim-09c56aec-6a94-4ea1-bbd3-75f3ceb777f9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-327ef7fc-01f4-4167-876a-23e1f0ebb9f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-446140c6-2928-4d5b-960d-723e0fa289e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12ac4bfc-bc7b-40e7-a99c-6ed43b9a232e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f386803d-418c-4c0e-8d54-153ad060b332","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17502358-9e82-483a-ad4f-5c2f367df586","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] As an invasive species introduced through the pet trade, these pythons pose severe threats to Florida's ecosystem, decimating populations of native foxes, lynx, raccoons, and other wildlife species. Photo Source: Animalia Photo Source: Animalia

Since 2013, conservation experts have actively worked to control their population by removing 770 pythons weighing a collective 15,000 kg (33,000 pounds) from the Everglades ecosystem.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd0ea511-5985-40bc-a6e4-7faef1ecdb8e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21fbbe8a-9e10-4763-bd4f-dc45af67efa6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b1bb299f-ea03-4a3a-b618-559f5debdbed","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06f4f86c-775d-42dc-b188-85a5da182bfd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5c68c5a0-100a-4eeb-a526-d72a026df22e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12c62fd7-c095-468d-82c6-6ee4ac301018","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Animalia

Burmese Python's Jaw Opens 40% Wider: A Record 77-Pound Deer Swallowed in Everglades

Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades can swallow prey as enormous as a 77-pound deer - their jaw-opening capacity shatters previous scientific estimates.

Burmese pythons in Florida's Everglades can swallow prey as enormous as a 77-pound deer - their jaw-opening capacity shatters previous scientific estimates.

Unlike mammals, these pythons can swallow extraordinarily large prey whole because their flexible jaw structure allows them to unhinge their mouths - a capability previously underestimated by researchers.

The secret behind their extreme feeding ability lies in their unique anatomy: their lower jaw bones aren't fused together like human jaws, allowing unprecedented flexibility during feeding.

Recent measurements from the University of Cincinnati reveal that Burmese python gape size can reach up to 26 centimeters wide with a circumference of 81 centimeters - dimensions that redefine their hunting potential.

Current measurements of their jaw-opening capacity exceed previous scientific expectations by 40%, forcing researchers to recalculate the range of prey these predators can consume.

A documented case in Florida revealed a python had consumed a 35 kg (77-pound) deer, representing approximately two-thirds of the snake's total body mass.

Since 2013, conservation experts have actively worked to control their population by removing 770 pythons weighing a collective 15,000 kg (33,000 pounds) from the Everglades ecosystem.

Next Story

New Giant King Cobra Species Confirmed in India’s Western Ghats: DNA Study Differentiates It from 3 Other Cobras, Revealing Traits from 153 Snakes.