New Study Reveals Unique Digestive Cells in Burmese Pythons

In an intriguing development in the field of zoology, researchers have identified specialized intestinal cells in Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) that facilitate the digestion of their prey’s skeletons. This discovery, published on June 25, 2025, in the *Journal of Experimental Biology*, has significant implications for our understanding of how these snakes process their food and manage calcium intake from the bones they consume.

The study, led by a team from the University of Montpellier in France, sheds light on the unique adaptations of Burmese pythons, which typically feed on birds and small mammals. Unlike many other predators, these snakes swallow their prey whole and can go days without eating, relying on a specialized digestive system to break down their meals. This process includes the breakdown of bones, which are a necessary source of calcium in their diet, although the pythons do not utilize all the calcium available from their prey.

"We wanted to identify how they were able to process and limit this huge absorption of calcium through the intestinal wall," remarked Dr. Jehan-Hervé Lignot, a biologist involved in the study. The researchers conducted experiments in which they fed pythons one of three different diets: whole prey, boneless prey, and boneless prey supplemented with calcium. They then analyzed the intestinal lining of the snakes to observe how each diet affected the structure of the intestinal cells.

The findings revealed that the pythons possess narrow, specialized cells in their intestinal lining that are instrumental in digesting bones. In snakes that consumed whole prey or those supplemented with calcium, these cells contained particles rich in calcium, iron, and phosphorus. However, these particles were absent in the intestines of snakes that only ingested boneless prey, indicating that the specialized cells play a crucial role in calcium absorption and excretion.

Dr. Lignot elaborated, "The cells may be involved in dispelling calcium that the snakes couldn’t absorb. It's possible that they concentrate excess calcium into particles, which are then excreted alongside undigested materials."

This research not only enhances the understanding of Burmese pythons but also raises questions about similar adaptations in other species. Notably, the specialized cells have been observed in other pythons and boas, as well as in Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum), all of which share the characteristic of swallowing prey whole. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that other animals, such as dolphins or fish-eating birds, exhibit these unique digestive adaptations.

The implications of this research extend beyond the Burmese python. According to Dr. Lignot, marine predators that consume bony fish or aquatic mammals face similar challenges in digesting bones and managing calcium. He suggested that birds like the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), which primarily feed on bones, would be intriguing subjects for further study.

Overall, the discovery of these specialized intestinal cells not only contributes to the field of comparative physiology but also enhances our understanding of evolutionary adaptations in response to dietary complexities. As researchers continue to explore these adaptations, they may uncover further insights into the digestive mechanisms of various carnivorous species, thereby broadening our understanding of animal physiology and evolution.