A monitor lizard with eyes bigger than its stomach has been caught on camera devouring a huge python.
Emma Robertson Chia from the UK was shocked when she caught the animal in the act during a walk with her daughter.
Amazed, she snapped some photos and took a video, later sharing it in a Facebook wildlife group – with people mesmerised by the shocking scene.
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“I spotted the lizard, which are quite common, but realised it had something unusual in its mouth,” Emma told Need To Know.
“On closer inspection I realised it was a beautiful python.
”The python was covered in flies and quite smelly, so I don’t know if the monitor had caught and wrestled it or whether it had found it already dead.
“My first reaction was ‘wow this is such a National Geographic moment!’
“It was amazing to see the monitor for about 20 minutes try to chomp the whole snake, which was quite a bit longer, but then proceed to regurgitate it.”
Emma saw the lizard while strolling along the river adjacent to Potong Pasir Ave 3, in Singapore, where she has lived for the past 27 years.
She said: “I’ve since learned monitors do this (regurgitating) to speed up the decomposition of the snake to make it easier to eat.
”I went to take a look the following morning and saw it had managed to break the skin and was feeding on it.
“Another monitor was close by obviously hoping for a turn.
”Singapore is quite unique in that it’s possible to spot amazing wildlife right on our doorstep or just minutes away in nature reserves around the centrally placed reservoirs.
“There are not too many major cities in the world that can boast the same thing!”
Social media users were stunned by the video and photos, which has nearly 1,000 likes.
Damien added: “Like eating a giant noodle.”
Peter said: “I’ve seen two huge ones eating a dead cat years ago. It was too stinky to take any videos or photos. National-Geographic worthy!”
“Lizard need to think of other method bring food for the day with him,” joked Roberta.
Michelle said: “Holy mackerel! That’s survival!”
“They regurgitated the pray when they felt in danger or unsafe to consume whole. They won’t be able to escape quickly with a full stomach. The snake does the same thing too if they are in danger while consuming,” said Clive.
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