Remarkable Video Captures Burmese Python Consuming 77-Pound Deer In Florida

A Burmese python in southern Florida was caught on video swallowing a 77-pound white-tailed deer, a feat that biologists say proves that the invasive predators are capable of consuming bigger prey than what was previously thought. This extraordinary incident has sparked interest and concern among scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The video, which showcases the python's impressive feeding behavior, highlights the ongoing challenges posed by these non-native snakes within the local ecosystem.

In a study published in August by the University of Kansas' Reptiles & Amphibians titled "Big pythons, big gape, and big prey," researchers noted that the deer, native to the Florida peninsula, represents 66.9 percent of the snake's body mass. This finding suggests that Burmese pythons are capable of preying on much larger animals than previously documented, indicating a significant impact on native wildlife populations. The video footage of the feeding event was captured by scientists in December 2022, as part of an ongoing study aiming to understand the broader ecological implications of pythons in their invasive range.

"This was the most intense and impressive sight we have observed in 12 years of tracking pythons in southwestern Florida," Ian Bartoszek, one of the study's co-authors, shared with Live Science. He described the event as truly primal, evoking images of predator-prey interactions that have unfolded for millions of years wherever large snakes are found. Unfortunately, the native wildlife in Florida has not evolved alongside such apex predators, which raises concerns about the survival of local species.

Scientists involved in the study indicated that the python which consumed the deer was the smallest snake included in their research. They captured and observed two other snakes to measure the python's gape, which is the maximum size that the animal's mouth can open. All three snakes ranged from 15 to 19 feet in length and had a gape of 10.2 inches in diameter, surpassing the previously recorded maximum gape for pythons of 8.66 inches.

Inquiries from Newsweek to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, which published the study, revealed ongoing efforts to manage the python population in Florida. Initially spotted in the Everglades in 1979, Burmese pythons have proliferated, wreaking havoc on the local ecosystem as apex predators, with few natural enemies. The state has implemented measures like the annual Python Challenge, offering cash rewards for those who help control their numbers. This year's challenge took place from August 9 to 18, showcasing the community's involvement in addressing this environmental issue.

Among the largest pythons recorded in the Everglades, one captured in 2022 measured nearly 18 feet long and weighed 215 pounds while carrying 122 eggs. Such instances highlight the significant reproductive potential and survival capabilities of these invasive snakes, further complicating efforts to restore balance to Florida's wildlife.