🦴 How do pythons digest bones without leaving a trace?

Pythons possess an astonishing ability to completely digest the bones of their prey. A recent discovery reveals the existence of a previously unknown type of intestinal cell.

Unlike most carnivores, these reptiles consume their prey whole, including the skeleton. Scientists have long wondered about the biological mechanisms that allow such digestive efficiency. Pythons fed without bones develop calcium deficiencies, highlighting the importance of skeletons in their diet.


Dr. Lignot's team used advanced microscopy techniques to study the intestinal cells of Burmese pythons. They identified particles rich in calcium, phosphorus and iron, produced by specialized cells. These cells, different from classic enterocytes, possess unique morphological characteristics.

Experiments with different diets confirmed the role of these cells in bone digestion. Without bones, the mineral particles were not produced. Conversely, with a calcium-rich diet, the cells filled with these particles, leaving no bone traces in the excrement.

This discovery isn't limited to pythons. Similar cells have been observed in other snakes and even in Gila monsters. This opens perspectives for understanding digestion in other bone-eating predators, such as birds or marine mammals.