LIZARD SWALLOWS RAT--Camera Follows Rat to Lizard’s Stomach

Video of a rodent as it travels down the throat of a monitor lizard. Veterinary gastroenterology of exotic animals. Video taken on April 29, 2015 at a specialty veterinary clinic of a large white-throated monitor lizard (Varanus albigularis albigularis) taking a frozen-thawed feeder rodent. Research of esophageal peristalsis in a monitor lizard showing sequential contraction of circular muscle which serves to push an ingested rodent toward the stomach. A primary peristaltic wave occurs when the rat enters the esophagus during swallowing. The primary peristaltic wave forces the rat down the esophagus and into the stomach. Second peristaltic wave around the rodent is unclear. Video for online degree programs, bachelor degree accreditation, and biostatistics for reptile feeding behavior; and degrees in zoology. This video focuses on the science of snake behavior to support a master’s thesis. Video is for citation for junior high school, high school science reports.