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5 animals that could gulp a human in one go
While saltwater crocodiles and Komodo dragons could potentially swallow a small human in pieces or whole, humpback whales lack the physical ability. Reticulated pythons have been confirmed to swallow humans entirely, as evidenced by a 2017 incident in Indonesia. Although unconfirmed, green anacondas possess the capability to consume a human, given their size and prey.
Human beings have always been considered as apex predators in the food pyramid, but even the idea of being swallowed by a giant beast like an anaconda is no less than a nightmare and seems to be a story out of tabloid headlines and survival horror stories.
But how likely is it in real life?
While most animals, even large ones, prefer to tear food into manageable pieces, there are a few exceptions that make the possibility more real than we'd like to believe. Some creatures have the size, anatomy, and appetite to at least try it!
Be it massive reptiles to mysterious ocean giants, the animal kingdom includes a handful of contenders capable of swallowing something about human-sized.
The odds are low, but not zero.
Here are five animals that are capable enough to swallow a human being
Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater crocodiles are the largest living reptiles, with some males reaching as long as 6 metres and a tonne in weight. However, they don't swallow their prey whole. Instead, they perform a 'death roll' to tear limbs from the body, then swallow in pieces. While it's rare, a very small human might disappear in a few gulps, though this is mostly speculative.
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Komodo dragon
Komodo dragons are the world's largest lizards, growing up to 3 metres and weighing up to 100kg. These Indonesian predators use serrated, iron-tipped teeth to shred flesh in violent bites. Larger prey is torn into chunks, but animals the size of young goats have been swallowed whole. According to the Komodo National Park, human attacks are documented, 24 between 1974 and 2012, five fatal, but no confirmed cases of a person being swallowed exist.
Still, a small adult or child could be within range of this possibility.
Humpback whale
Despite their massive size, humpback whales can't swallow a human. Their throats are too narrow, adapted only for small prey like krill and fish. In 2021, lobster diver Michael Packard was briefly engulfed by a feeding humpback off Massachusetts, but was spat out after 30 seconds, as reported by BBC. There were no injuries, just shock and confusion.
Humpbacks don't target humans, and this rare encounter was more about bad luck than danger.
Reticulated python
The reticulated python is the only animal on this list proven to have swallowed humans whole. Native to Southeast Asia, it can grow over 7 metres long and kills prey by constriction before swallowing it entirely. Its flexible jaw and expandable body allow it to ingest creatures far wider than itself. Deutsche Welle reported that on March 29, 2017, villagers in Sulawesi, Indonesia, discovered the missing farmer Akbar inside a 7 m python after noticing the snake moving awkwardly.
They cut it open and retrieved his fully intact body.
Green anaconda
Green anacondas, found in South America, may not be as long as pythons but are much heavier, sometimes growing to be as heavy as 100kg. They've been known to kill large animals like caimans and capybaras. Human consumption has never been confirmed, likely due to the snake's reclusive habitat. However, a 2024 video showed a man nearly crushed by one in a Brazilian river before escaping with help. While no verified cases of human swallowing exist, the potential is definitely there under the right or wrong circumstances.
Photo credits: Canva
