Kentucky guy nearly eaten by a python

[Jrrarglblarg]

With confidence and experience, even massive one-eyed pythons can be handled safely and to everyone's satisfaction. It's just a matter of practice, and learning to relax.

Now would that be a one, two or three person Python wrangle?

 

[Foolmewunz]

Better (and somewhat conflicting) details in a local story.


http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news...rge-snake-attacks-man-at-newport-reptile-shop

I tend to doubt the length. Would a 20 foot reticulated python weigh in at a mere 125 pounds. Some of the other comments by the cops repeat "fifteen to twenty" feet.

 

[Rincewind]

But surely boas are made of feathers?

 

[Venom]

Better (and somewhat conflicting) details in a local story.


http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news...rge-snake-attacks-man-at-newport-reptile-shop

I tend to doubt the length. Would a 20 foot reticulated python weigh in at a mere 125 pounds. Some of the other comments by the cops repeat "fifteen to twenty" feet.

First thing that jumped out at me as well. "20 feet" but only 125 lbs.
I'll believe the latter figure before I get confirmation on the former. That'd be a BIG snake.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

So... the zombie apocalypse starts with Graham Chapman...

I think Tiktaalik taught him the funny walk.

 

[William Parcher]

Better (and somewhat conflicting) details in a local story.


http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news...rge-snake-attacks-man-at-newport-reptile-shop

I tend to doubt the length. Would a 20 foot reticulated python weigh in at a mere 125 pounds. Some of the other comments by the cops repeat "fifteen to twenty" feet.

Yes, a 20-foot Retic could indeed be only 125 pounds. This species does not have the bulk of other giant constrictor snakes. I too doubt that this specimen is 20 feet long but it could be. They are always difficult to accurately measure because you can't get them to straighten out. BTW, this species is found throughout Thailand so you can go out and see them for yourself.

 

[luchog]

Yes, a 20-foot Retic could indeed be only 125 pounds. This species does not have the bulk of other giant constrictor snakes. I too doubt that this specimen is 20 feet long but it could be. They are always difficult to accurately measure because you can't get them to straighten out. BTW, this species is found throughout Thailand so you can go out and see them for yourself.

Retics do get over 20 feet long; but that's not very common. 12-15 feet for a full adult is much more common. Pythons in general are smaller-bodied snakes, so 125 pounds is probably a bit exaggerated as well.

 

[Drewbot]

Fluffy was the largest retic in captivity. Supposedly 24' and 300 pounds..

(I personally doubt she was 300 pounds)

I saw her when she was on display at the Columbus Zoo.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Snakes/Information-News/Worlds-Longest-Snake-Dies/

That is another issue with big snakes. Some owners just turn them loose when, for whatever reason, they decide they don't want them anymore. In colder climates, this is probably a death sentence for the snake, but in Florida, some species have established breeding populations and become a nuisance.

It is unknown how much of the current state of the Burmese Python in Florida is due to released pets. It is known that several hundred were liberated, from breeding facilities, into the wild by Hurricane Andrew in 1992

 

[luchog]

Fluffy was the largest retic in captivity. Supposedly 24' and 300 pounds..

(I personally doubt she was 300 pounds)

That would have been obese for a python. But not that unbelievable, since overfeeding is a common problem for captive snakes, almost as much so as underfeeding.

It is unknown how much of the current state of the Burmese Python in Florida is due to released pets. It is known that several hundred were liberated, from breeding facilities, into the wild by Hurricane Andrew in 1992

Abandonment of pets is a common and very large problem throughout the world. The Burmese Python is in no way native to the Southeast US, and that released Burms are a problem throughout the region; and all of them come from the pet trade (as there is no real skin trade based in the US). There was one in a park here a few years back (however, the climate is too cold for them to survive the winter). The snakes released by Hurricane Andrew were intended for the pet trade, and chances are good that a large number would have been released after they became too large for their owners to handle. A breeding population was inevitable, the hurricane just accelerated its establishment

We've seen similar problems all over the world with feral goldfish, which are just fancy carp and can easily reach 2 kg (5 lbs), and are commonly abandoned in local rivers and lakes when they grow too large for their aquarium.

Similarly, abandoned Red-Eared Slider turtles have become pests in some parts of the US and Australia.

In all cases, these are animals that have no real predators in the area where they're abandoned, and so are able to out-compete native species.