If a snake swallows prey that is too big for it would it's stomach rip open?

[Moreau]

I saw a pic of a big python that ate a croc or alligator that was way too big and it split in half.

Edit here it is, it was in the Glades

[eminart]

But we have no way of knowing what killed that snake. The splitting open could just as easily have happened after it was dead and rotting.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by eminart

But we have no way of knowing what killed that snake. The splitting open could just as easily have happened after it was dead and rotting.

I too think this is the more likely option. The flesh looks rather bloated, rotten, and pale here, and when carcasses get bloated, all you basically have to do is blown on them and they explode, if they don't do it by themselves.

[Mikoh4792]

A jumbo sized rat to a 2.5 ft ball python... I don't think this is a good idea.

[KyleKennedy]

He ate it but it's been over a week and he still hasn't digested it yet. You can still see the shape of the rat in its belly.

[sirtalis]

I wouldn't have done it, a jumbo rat at the pet store near me is like, as big as a squirrel, was it live?

[bigsnakegirl785]

Originally Posted by KyleKennedy

He ate it but it's been over a week and he still hasn't digested it yet. You can still see the shape of the rat in its belly.

If it's been over a week and it hasn't digested it, it's at extreme risk of rotting in its belly. Too big of meals are harder to digest, and if they can't digest it fast enough the middle of it can rot before they get to it. That was an extremely dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't feed a ball python of any size a jumbo, or least not unless it was like 6'. A 2.5' snake of any kind has no business eating a jumbo rat, not even once.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by KyleKennedy

He ate it but it's been over a week and he still hasn't digested it yet. You can still see the shape of the rat in its belly.

By how much though? Just slightly or a lot? There's a big difference.

I would simply turn the heat up a bit for the a few days.

[KyleKennedy]

Alot. The rat's feet are almost poking thru

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by KyleKennedy

Alot. The rat's feet are almost poking thru

Take a pic.

That's really weird and you should possibly consider forcing the snake to regurge if it's poking out like that. You don't want to risk a puncture.

[Sasha2]

I so want to say something bad here but will hold my tongue. Why would he put the snake at risk like that, was it for fun? Bump the heat.

[sirtalis]

Aren't most jumbo rats like 12-18 inches in length counting the tail?