PHOTOS: African python swallows an entire WILD ANIMAL (Caught on camera for the first time)

This is the incredibly rare moment an African python was caught on camera trying to eat an entire wildebeest.
The massive snake looked like its eyes were bigger than its belly when it was discovered in the South African bush swallowing the massive meal.
It is thought to be the first time this behaviour has been caught on camera as the python - which can grow up to 16 foot - was believed to try for much smaller prey.
The gruesome encounter was photographed at the Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa, by manager Rudi Hulshof.

 

 

Rudi, 35, said: 'This was the first time I had ever seen something like this, and I have been working as a game ranger for 15 years already in South Africa, and have also travelled to other African Countries.
'This is an incredibly rare sighting, and is by my knowledge the first time that it has been recorded, let alone photographed and documented that a Southern African python catches prey as big as the blue wildebeest, albeit a wildebeest calf.
'Herpetologists I have consulted are all impressed, and dumbfounded by the images when they have seen them.
'It is not uncommon for pythons to catch live mammal prey, but this would usually consist of smaller species like hares, rabbits, impala lambs, duiker antelope, squirrels, birds, rats, cane rats and rodents etc.
'But to have managed something so big is mind boggling. This can be seen by how the python needed to really stretch its mouth to the limits to try and swallow the prey.
'I have been photographing wildlife for the past 15 years while I have been working in the industry, at various lodges and game reserves spread around South Africa.'

The next morning all traces of the python and its prey had disappeared.

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