People like to think of snakes as being somehow viciously cruel killers. If they want to see vicioulsy cruel killers, they need to turn on the 6 'o'clock news.

Or look in their living room or backyard. Cats are merciless in playing their prey to death. Dogs will decimate a flock or herd of animals.

The snake may only kill once a week or once a month or less, and when it does kill, it typically dispatches the prey as quickly as possible. The difference is we like to think of the dogs and cats as being "cute" and "friendly", not realizing that snakes can be socialable to us as well.