Python regurgitates massive monitor lizard

Footage of a python regurgitating a large monitor lizard.

Rescue workers arrived after the snake slithered under a patio at a home in Samut Songkram, Thailand, on November 20.

They smashed the concrete and dragged the serpent into a pick-up truck to be driven away and released into the wild. But the 17ft-long python was disturbed by vibrations from the moving vehicle - and was filmed slowly regurgitating the enormous 15kg lizard.

The 5ft long monitor emerged lifeless as it lay at the back of the truck next to the snake.

Shocked resident Uraiwan Konhasuk, 43, said:

‘’I was drying my clothes at the back of the house and found a large snake that had crawled under a gap in the concrete.''

''I was shocked at the size of it and ran inside to call the rescue staff.''

''The backyard is a wilderness and has a lot of wildlife but I would never have believed that a snake could eat a lizard that big.''

Volunteers from Sawang Benchait foundation said it took an hour to free the snake from its hiding place where it had been hoping to spend the next week digesting its victim.

Khun Manop Chanarit said that staff had tried to use a halter but the python had fought back. He said:

‘’Rescuers had to smash the concrete and use pliers to cut the metal.''

''The snake was very aggressive. We knew it had eaten something but didn’t know what. I couldn't believe my eyes. The lizard was very big.''

The snake was later released into the wild but the lizard did not survive.