Reticulated python swallows pig in Davao Oriental

A resident from Caraga, Davao Oriental was shocked after finding out that his pig was swallowed whole by a reticulated python.

In Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, Ferdinand Burgos said that he initially thought that his pig was stolen and put inside a brown sack.

"Nagulat lang ako na 'yung baboy, kinain na. Malungkot, sir, kasi wala na akong pakainin," he said.

The snake remained inside the pig's pen as it struggled to move because of its weight.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office in Caraga took the snake. Unfortunately, the pig was no longer saved.

"Kung may darating daw na baboy sa DE, papalitan daw," Ferdinand said.

According to Kuya Kim, reticulated pythons are notorious for eating large prey.

"Ika-cut off nila 'yung blood circulation and then, kapag namatay na siya or nanghina na siya, lulunukin nalang ito," herpetologist Jazz Ong said.

The snakes use the elastic tissues in between their cranium and lower jaw.

"That enables them to stretch their mouths to consume prey that's much larger than their heads," Ong said.

—Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News