How do Woma Pythons hunt in burrows due to space limits?
Answer
Pining or "squishing" their meal against the burrow wall
The terrestrial hunting habits of the Woma Python, particularly when pursuing prey within burrows where space is restricted, necessitate an alternative to standard constriction. Due to the confined nature of the environment, the snake utilizes its powerful feeding mechanism to ambush prey and then pin or "squish" the meal directly against the hard surface of the burrow wall. This action effectively immobilizes the prey item, allowing the snake to consume it without needing the room required for full coils. This method also exposes the snake to risk, sometimes resulting in scars from retaliating rodents, emphasizing the substantial nature of the meals they target.
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