would a python eat a small dog

[AA23ds]

I was wondering if a python would try to eat a dog that was small enough for it to swallow.

I know they won't try anything that is clearly too big for them, but if, for example, a 5 foot ball python came accross a 4 pound chihuahua, would the python see that as a food item, or would the fact that a dog smells and acts nothing like a rodent turn the snake off?

I'm asking because I have a ball and I have two four pound chihuahas....of course the ball is only a baby, but when I saw a full grown one the other day, it occurred to me that if that snake got loose in my house, it could easily constrict and swallow one of my dogs....is this even something to worry about?:yes:



p.s. I knew a guy with a full grown burmese python that he claimed he fed a cat and a rooster to. I didn't really believe the snake ate a cat...I did believe the rooster. Do you think a snake that size would kill and eat a cat, or, again, would the smell and nature of the cat be such that the snake would not recognize it as food?

[rancor_]

while a snake hunts mostly by scent, boas and pythons use their heat pits aswell. in the wild, what can be swallowed is food, and can be eaten. so, while an unlikely senario, yep..your snake could eat your dog, and ive seen the news video of the boa that ate the neighbors dog. easiest solution...keep your snake secure in its cage:)

[drec91]

i dont think a ball python would be able to swallow a small dog. A burmese python could definatley eat a chiwawa. A couple years ago one of my columbians try to eat one of my kittens.

[Flipstud]

ya, i dont think a fully grown BP could eat a chihuahua.

[Aaron_S]

A full grown ball python is like what 4 pounds itself? It can't eat something it's own size. It may try...but it won't work.

[RIBBIT]

Never Ever Never

[rancor_]

i think never is such a final word and should be used sparingly. the question was "would it try" and i dont think anyone would want to find out the answer. this isnt my pic, it belongs to PythonRegius, but an awsome illustration...do you think this ball couldnt manage a 2lb dog at 4kg????
http://www.reptilescanada.com/gallery/data/500/Big_Girl_Brew_11.jpg
enjoy

[reptilenut4sure]

Holy crap thats a huge snakey. Looks good.

[gonesnakee]

In the case of the BP in captivity eating a small dog very very unlikely. Not going to happen IMHO. As for a Retic eating kittens, dogs or chickens yep no problem, heck people feed them goats, pigs, calfs etc. a small dog or cat would go down easy. Adult retics can take huge prey & a wide variety of it. Mark

[drec91]

wow thats a massive BP i wonder if it can move lol

[Herpkid101x]

thats a big ball python! and that beer aint helpin him either lol

[Hayezoo]

That Ball looks like all the weight is in the tail end of the snake.

[gonesnakee]

That Ball looks like all the weight is in the tail end of the snake.

Preovulation shed maybe? Mark

[TailsW/Scales]

A large ball python can certainly kill a small dog or a cat. I personally have seen 6' ball pythons eat jumbo rats and guinea pigs so a kitten or puppy could be and easy meal.
I have also seen photos and heard stories of boas, and certain species of python killing and eating dogs & cats.
So it is certainly possible for a 4' + BP to kill a small dog or cat.

[rancor_]

A large ball python can certainly kill a small dog or a cat. I personally have seen 6' ball pythons eat jumbo rats and guinea pigs so a kitten or puppy could be and easy meal.
I have also seen photos and heard stories of boas, and certain species of python killing and eating dogs & cats.
So it is certainly possible for a 4' + BP to kill a small dog or cat.
FINALLY. someone who doesnt just say never!
I was wondering if a python would try to eat a dog that was small enough for it to swallow.
a chihuahua's head is about the size of a baseball, not really a challenge for a full grown ball. the fact that it doesnt act or smell like a rodent is of course a factor, but warm blooded would be warm blooded to a hungry snake. but again, its best to prevent the escape rather that wonder about the outcome.:yes: