Blood flow and metabolic activity associated with digestion can increase substantially. Digestive enzymes begin breaking down proteins, fats, and other components of the meal.
The prey is not simply sitting unchanged inside the snake.
Over time, the tissues are chemically broken down, absorbed, and converted into nutrients that the snake can use.
This process explains why the swollen appearance gradually decreases as digestion progresses.
The snake may remain relatively inactive during this period because digestion is metabolically demanding.
Why Would a Python Be Found Near a Family Shed?
Pythons are often opportunistic predators.
Structures such as sheds, barns, garages, and other outbuildings can provide shelter and may also attract potential prey.
Rodents, birds, and other small animals may live around human structures because food and shelter are readily available.
A python searching for prey or shelter could therefore appear in places where people do not expect to encounter a large snake.
This does not necessarily mean the snake was deliberately targeting people.
Humans are generally not the natural prey of most python species.
However, large snakes should still be treated with caution because they are powerful wild animals.