Chilling photographs show a python swallowing a massive crocodile whole after it squeezed the life out of the larger reptile in a murky Australian swamp.
The snake’s slackened jaws can be seen devouring the freshwater crocodile while the rest of its muscular length constricts around the beast in Queensland.
The bulging midriff of the olive python – Australia’s second largest snake – shows the bulk of the crocodile beneath its scaly skin and one gruesome picture shows the crocodile’s ridged tail indented on the snake’s throat.
Kayaker Martin Muller spotted the grisly scene while making his way down the swamps in Mount Isa and experts have revealed pythons will often target crocodiles despite the obvious risk.
The python’s slackened jaws devour the snake on the floor of the murky swamp in Queensland, Australia. It is a common misconception the snake’s dislocate their jaws, but they are in fact loosely connected
The olive python’s body is filled with the bulk of the freshwater crocodile bulging beneath its muscular length as it devours the tail of the larger reptile – the images were posted on social media page after Martin Muller found the snake eating the animal while kayaking in Queensland’s Mount Isa
The ridged tail of the crocodile can be seen indented on the snake’s neck as the inside of its mouth can be seen in this grisly photo which sparked more than 10,000 responses from social media users who were shocked and amazed
The snake appears at the tail of the freshwater crocodile (left) and the slithering reptile’s hefty coils are wrapped around the crocodile as one of its feet pokes out (right)
The colossal trunk of the snake winds around the crocodile on the murky swamp floor – they huge snake’s are known to reach 13ft in length
GG Wildlife Rescue Inc owner Michelle Jones told Daily Mail Australia that she keeps two olive pythons as pets.
‘It’s common for them to eat pretty much anything if they can fit it in their mouth,’ she said.
Ms Jones added that the pythons can ‘unhinge their jaw’ to extend their bite – and it was was not uncommon for them to attempt to eat a crocodile.
Unlike their saltwater counterparts, freshwater crocodiles will not attack humans unless in self-defence.
And the olive python is not venomous.
The satiated snake lies on the murky swamp floor with the crocodile’s body visible in the middle of its length. GG Wildlife Rescue Inc owner told Daily Mail Australia that she keeps two olive pythons as pets, and said: ‘It’s common for snakes to eat pretty much anything if they can fit it in their mouth’
The olive python is the second largest snake in Australia, and is not venomous, but its strength makes it an extremely deadly predator with the ability to squeeze the life out of its prey
The images were then posted to the GG Wildlife Rescue Inc Facebook page – and the post proved popular on social media, with 10,000 responses.
Many were stunned a python would be able to overpower and eat a crocodile – while others wondered whether Mr Muller had put himself in danger to capture the extraordinary images.
‘Amazing pictures! I thought the croc would have won,’ commented one user.
‘My only questions is why the f*** would any sane human being be kayaking in a place where there are snakes that can swallow a crocodile whole?’ asked another.
‘This is definitely on my list of top 10 ways I don’t want to die.’
Social media users were shocked at the incredible images and some questioned why the brave photographer was kayaking in such dangerous conditions