Biology: viewing the eating habits of a python

Dr. Jon Krum’s biology class is discussing feeding patterns and adaptive digestive systems. Last Friday he brought his son’s three-foot python to class to feed a medium-size rat. He invited his students and college community to watch and photograph the feeding saying, “if you have never seen a snake eat, it is way cool to see how much it’s mouth can stretch.” The photos show the snake capturing the rat, unlocking its jaws as it puts the rat in its mouth and finally swallowing the whole rat.