Richard managed to capture the epic moment on camera before the python realised it was being watched, and decided to move out of sight to enjoy its prize in some nearby bushes. .
Commotion stops game viewer vehicle in its tracks
Richard recalled how he had gone out for an early morning game drive when they had spotted some commotion in a sandy area up ahead. They edged their vehicle closer to see what was happening.
“Upon closer inspection, we realised it was an African rock python attempting to kill a monitor lizard!” he told Latest Sightings.
Unusual confrontation astounds motorists
Both the python and the monitor lizard are large for a snake and a lizard respectively. The interplay of the two species presented an exceptional viewing moment.
African rock pythons are large and powerful snakes. They can grow up to 6m in length and weigh as much as 70kg.
They are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and are known for their incredible ability to constrict their prey.
Python coils around monitor lizard
Richard watched as the snake closed in on the monitor lizard. Describing the scene, he said: “The snake was able to get a good anchor bite right around the head of the lizard and then began coiling around the lizard.”
Lizard left immobilised by snake’s determined efforts
He explained how the lizard was left completely immobilised by the sheer strength of the snake. With every struggle of the lizard, the snake tightened its grip.
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“Unlike venomous snakes, rock pythons kill their prey by wrapping their powerful bodies around it and squeezing it until it suffocates,” Richard explained. “This technique is highly effective and allows the python to take down prey much larger than itself.”
After successfully constricting the monitor lizard, the rock python began to drag it towards some nearby bushes.
This moment presented an impressive display of the snake’s predatory abilities. With complete ease, the snake was able to drag the lizard through the sand.
Snake drags lizard completely out of sight
The lizard was no ‘small guy’ and watching the Goliath of a reptile being dragged out of sight was nothing short of miraculous.
Eventually, the monitor lizard disappeared completely out of sight. The snake was free to enjoy its snack away from the interest of the curious onlookers.
“Despite being relatively slim and flexible, rock pythons are capable of swallowing prey much larger than their own heads,” said Richard. “They do this by dislocating their jaw and stretching their skin and muscles to accommodate the meal.”
It can take several days for the python to digest such a large meal, during which time it will remain hidden and vulnerable to predators.
“I could hardly believe my eyes as I watched the python drag the monitor lizard away,” Richard recalled. “I knew that I was witnessing a truly rare and incredible sight, one that I would never forget.”
This was also an incredibly rare sighting. Fortunately Richard was there to get it all on camera!