{"id":56869,"date":"2026-02-19T14:43:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:43:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn\/19\/02\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:43:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:43:38","slug":"when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn\/19\/02\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a \u2018Sharp\u2019 Turn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The post <a href=\"https:\/\/a-z-animals.com\/blog\/when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a \u2018Sharp\u2019 Turn;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a \u2018Sharp\u2019 Turn<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/a-z-animals.com?utm_campaign=feed&amp;utm_source=rss_feed&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_content=951822\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:A-Z Animals;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">A-Z Animals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Watch the Video<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Uso5FtigKo8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Click here to watch on YouTube;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Click here to watch on YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Quick Take<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">African rock pythons are powerful constrictors capable of swallowing prey much wider than their heads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Horned antelope like duikers can pose unexpected challenges during the swallowing process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Snakes can abandon or regurgitate prey if feeding becomes dangerous or physically difficult.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Wild predators must regularly hunt or forage to survive. While many animals graze or scavenge, large constrictor snakes rely on overpowering and swallowing prey whole. But even experienced predators can miscalculate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Visitors to Kruger National Park in South Africa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Uso5FtigKo8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:captured this video;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">captured this video<\/a> of a large python wrapped around a duiker, which is a small African antelope. In Kruger, the only native large python species is the African rock python, one of Africa\u2019s largest snakes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">African rock pythons are powerful constrictors. After striking and seizing prey with their backward-curved teeth, they coil around the animal and tighten their grip. Contrary to popular myth, constriction does not \u201ccrush\u201d prey but instead restricts blood flow and breathing, leading to rapid unconsciousness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Once prey has been subdued, the snake begins the slow process of swallowing it whole. Snakes have highly flexible skulls and loosely connected lower jaws, allowing them to consume animals much wider than their heads. Elastic ligaments stretch as the snake alternates movements of each side of the jaw to gradually \u201cwalk\u201d the prey inward.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">When Horns Become a Hazard<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Duikers, though small, possess short, sharp horns that can complicate swallowing. Most duiker species have straight, backward-pointing horns ranging from a few inches to about 4-7 inches long, depending on the species.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Duikers are small African antelope.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In some cases, horned prey can become lodged in a snake\u2019s mouth or throat during ingestion. If the prey cannot be safely swallowed, snakes are capable of regurgitating their meal. Regurgitation is energetically costly and stressful for the animal, but it can prevent serious injury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There is no verified scientific evidence that duiker horns routinely pierce \u201cthrough\u201d a python\u2019s skull during feeding. However, internal injuries or swallowing difficulties are possible if horns become improperly positioned.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"African Rock Python, Python natalensis, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ufvQZOKJiWUcAAS0jredSA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzOTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/a_z_animals_articles_598\/e07ef759713f38eb19b1a58311a800bf\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Image: Al Carrera, Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Can Pythons Really Eat Antelope?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Yes. African rock pythons are known to prey on mammals ranging from rodents and birds to monkeys, small antelope, and even young warthogs. Documented cases confirm that they are capable of consuming duikers under the right circumstances.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"african rock python in kruger national park\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"637\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/U5xnZH7fkVS7TdmS1KE4.w--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYzNztjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/a_z_animals_articles_598\/4e8920d3bf0f526738c820bd95cb3721\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\">\n<div>\n<p>African rock pythons prey on mammals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">\u00a9AngelaM_SA\/Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span>(AngelaM_SA\/Shutterstock.com)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Snakes do not open their mouth in a hinged fashion. Instead, their skull bones are mobile and connected by flexible ligaments, allowing extraordinary expansion. This anatomical adaptation enables them to swallow prey much larger than their head diameter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There are more than 40 recognized species of pythons worldwide, found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In southern Africa, the African rock python is the largest and most commonly encountered species.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Why Would a Snake Abandon Its Prey?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Predators sometimes abandon a kill if:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The prey becomes difficult or dangerous to swallow<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\"\/>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Humans or other animals approach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The energetic cost outweighs the benefit<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Abandoning prey is not unheard of in large snakes, particularly if swallowing proves problematic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the Kruger footage, the python eventually disengages from the antelope and moves away. Without veterinary examination or follow-up observation, it is impossible to determine whether the snake suffered lasting injury.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Watch the Video<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Uso5FtigKo8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a> to watch the video.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The post <a href=\"https:\/\/a-z-animals.com\/blog\/when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a \u2018Sharp\u2019 Turn;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a \u2018Sharp\u2019 Turn<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/a-z-animals.com?utm_campaign=feed&amp;utm_source=rss_feed&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_content=951822\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:A-Z Animals;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">A-Z Animals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/articles\/python-tried-eat-antelope-things-181402254.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The post When This Python Tried to Eat an Antelope, Things Took a &lsquo;Sharp&rsquo; Turn appeared first on A-Z Animals. Watch the<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/when-this-python-tried-to-eat-an-antelope-things-took-a-sharp-turn\/19\/02\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/OSYVc8UOnyIsYKBZ2kD38Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD03OTk7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/a_z_animals_articles_598\/e07ef759713f38eb19b1a58311a800bf","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56869"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56869\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}