Quote Originally Posted by FireStorm View Post
I dunno...it doesn't seem impossible to me. I've occasionally had BPs strike and wrap my hand. Was the snake trying to eat the child? No. But I'd guess a child's foot is about the same size as a prey item, and probably gave off a similar heat signature.

As for the scratches, snake teeth can cause scratches...

It's terrible for the hobby that this happened. But it also must have been scary for the parents. Put your self in the shoes of someone who is scared of snakes...even though we think their fear is unfounded that doesn't make the experience any easier for them. No member of the general public should have to find an escaped snake in their house, much less attached to their young child. The article is actually less sensationalized than I expected...
Not saying that BPs don't strike at people because they obviously do when they feel threatened and have no other choice, but for an animal that loves to hide and in small enclosed spaces it just seems weird (not impossible) that one would climb into a baby crib. As far as the heat goes, it's the smell that gets them going. Ever try to turn a mouse eater into a rat eater? It's not easy because they smell totally different and ball pythons don't hunt for humans regardless of how small they are. Even the ones that don't eat for a while, don't go around looking for human flesh.