Escaped Burmese Python seen on neighbour’s ROOF - UK

Intriguing

I’m wondering if she exaggerated the 18’ length of the Albino Burmese Python


[URL unfurl="true"]https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/25/escaped-python-hampshire-home-reptile-safe[/URL]

Linda Elmer, who recognised the snake, said she was woken at 07:00 BST by worried neighbours banging on her door, trying to find the owner.
She said: "Everyone was panicking.
"I picked him up - no one wanted to help. It was very difficult because he's a big snake and I managed to hobble down the road with this 18ft python wrapped round me and knocked on the owner's door.
"I think it was a shock for all of us.
"He's beautiful and Burmese are very docile. They're not aggressive snakes anyway and I had one myself so I was comfortable picking him up."
The RSPCA previously urged owners to keep snakes securely contained during hot weather as the warmer temperatures make them very active and more likely to escape.


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I'm not sure I would have tried to carry it back just because burms are heavy. Mine isn't anywhere near 18 feet and we need two people to move her. Put it in a patch of grass to explore, keep an eye on it, and send someone else to bang on the owner's door to collect it.

Judging by the car and assuming it's approximately six feet wide, probably closer to nine feet, maybe up to twelve depending on how much of its body is vertical against the wall, but nowhere near eighteen feet. That would be my guess - but I'm not familiar with Burms. The only time I've even held one was... oh... around thirty five years ago... Beautiful snake, none the less! Probably harmless exaggeration to emphasize that it was heavy.

Edit to add... just reread the 'news clip'... and I really hope the snake is okay. Falling from an upstairs window to the ground isn't good for any animal.

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Originally Posted by Argentum

...just reread the 'news clip'... and I really hope the snake is okay. Falling from an upstairs window to the ground isn't good for any animal.

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:( I know, I was thinking the same thing...poor snake. Much harm can come to our pets when they escape.

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I just went to the article location to read it. I want to post a quote from it, supposedly from a 'Senior Herpetologist'. I want to know if this man has ever handled a snake before.

"But responsible ownership is crucial – if a snake of that size decides to wrap you up, there’s not going to be much you can do about it, aside from poking it in the eyes or other vulnerable areas, and hoping for the best."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentum

.....

I just went to the article location to read it. I want to post a quote from it, supposedly from a 'Senior Herpetologist'. I want to know if this man has ever handled a snake before.

"But responsible ownership is crucial – if a snake of that size decides to wrap you up, there’s not going to be much you can do about it, aside from poking it in the eyes or other vulnerable areas, and hoping for the best."

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Oh, I don't know...I think he has. :rolleyes: Are you saying you doubt the risk of being "wrapped"? The "responsible ownership" hopefully refers to not handling alone, so that might have been better phrased or explained.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Oh, I don't know...I think he has. :rolleyes: Are you saying you doubt the risk of being "wrapped"? The "responsible ownership" hopefully refers to not handling alone, so that might have been better phrased or explained.

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No, I was objecting to him suggesting that the only thing someone could do was jab the snake in the eyes. There is a mention of using some hand sanitizer in the mouth to make them let go, but no mention of using a bit of vinegar, or having someone grab the tail to unwrap it, anything like that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentum

No, I was objecting to him suggesting that the only thing someone could do was jab the snake in the eyes. There is a mention of using some hand sanitizer in the mouth to make them let go, but no mention of using a bit of vinegar, or having someone grab the tail to unwrap it, anything like that.

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Yes, for sure that might have been mentioned, though when really caught off guard, many don't have any of that stuff in hand or within reach. I took his perspective to be if one is alone & caught off guard- the "worst case scenario". Any time there's an article like this, it would be good if they'd repeat these possible ways to fight back- just to better educate people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Argentum

Edit to add... just reread the 'news clip'... and I really hope the snake is okay. Falling from an upstairs window to the ground isn't good for any animal.

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I would like to second this. We actually had two different reptiles at the clinic in urgent care due to falls. One was a turtle who fell out of his enclosure and the other was a beardie that fell from the second floor to the first. The poor beardie was in a lot of pain but had no obvious fractures.

Accidents happen but I wish more care guides placed emphasis on preventing escapes with secure enclosures and locks or watching animals when out of their cage.