News: Ball python rescues baby from water basin

[Rickys_Reptiles]

In Vaughan, Ontario this morning a Ball Python has saved a baby from a local water basin. Perhaps Ball Pythons are our new local heroes?

VAUGHAN - In an unusual turn of events recently taking place in Canada, a Ball Python has proven that not all snakes should be painted with the same brush.

This morning at roughly 6:00AM a Ball Python was found saving a baby from a local water basin.

Ricky Melamed, owner of Ricky’s Reptiles and local resident of the community saw the events taking place. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing while out for my morning run. A baby for some reason was thrashing in the water. As it was about to drown I saw a Ball Python come out of the bushes near by and pull the baby to safety"

In recent events snakes have received a terrible reputation in Canada as the deaths of Noah, 4, and Connor Barthe, 6 have taken the world by surprise. Both children allegedly killed by a 14-foot Rock Python in New Brunswick.

Steve Morales quoted Lee Parker, the facilities manager at Ontario reptile zoo Reptilia in an article on CBC.ca, "It’s strange, I’m just trying to piece it together...they don't go on killing sprees … it doesn't make sense to me."

Perhaps not all snakes are alike. In this case, the snake is not the killer, but the Savior.

The baby, whose identity the RCMP is not releasing currently had escaped from its crib this morning. It is suspected that the baby managed to crawl out of its crib and make its way out the house though the plumbing. The RCMP believes the baby then crawled through the local communities’ drainage system and exited into the water basin.

Pythons are commonly found in dry areas, although it is apparent that in the right situations they can and will swim. Saving a baby seems like the type of situation this Ball Python chose to swim.

As cited by Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, research has shown that snakes often prefer to swim rather than crawl because it uses less energy. One group of pythons that had been radio tagged in the Everglades stayed put for months until the water levels rose enough that they could swim and then they took off, says Gordon Rodda USGS research zoologist. "Swimming is a very efficient way to get around, and they will use it."

Although the RCMP and local law enforcement officials searched for several hours the Ball Python could not be located. The baby is now home safe with family who have been shaken by the morning’s events. Sheela, the babies’ mother is ecstatic that the snake was near by and has only kind words to say while sipping a hot tea. "That snake is a hero," she says.

NOTE: This may or may not be true