News: 2 die in rock python attack

[John1982]

Has anyone ever heard of a constrictor using constriction as a defensive behavior?

Absolutely, they don't have limbs - they have teeth and coils to secure themselves and will readily use either when frightened. Imagine yourself falling from a large tree, you're going to be flailing around trying to grab anything you can to stop the fall. A snake is going to do the same thing with their given tools - teeth and coils.

Very unfortunate event regardless of what the autopsy reveals. Whether it's found that the snake did indeed kill the boys or not, the blame should(obvious to competent keepers) fall on the man who owned the animal. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the 2 lost boys.

[reptileexperts]

In no way was I trying to downplay or make it bad what you said, I hope you did not take it that way. I appreciate you for taking your time to try and educate. I was just pointing out what I fear they might do. We can always hope for the best!

Yes, and it probably will happen that way. And if any questions get sourced back to me, I will happily send them the minutes from the interview in direct quotations, but yes. People will not take the time to track source information. . . sad world. Sad day. And bite marks should be compared with bite marks from known attacks, bite marks could've been post mortem . . .

[reptileexperts]

Unfortunately, this is what your interview will probably evolve into.



Who knew being a journalist could be so easy? Expose a few bad facts, make it scary, and then get rich from advertisement revenue.

Yep, it's just about removing facts, using quotes, and making it say what you want it to. Unfortunately, with even nat geo claiming out that this is one of the most vicious snakes in the world, it's not helping the case at all.

[Maverick67]

I've seen multiple articles stating an autopsy of the snake will show what really happened. Also I found this one saying it was already euthanized.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/08...l-in-province/

[crazypythonlady]

It is just a sad day all around....there will be no winners here. It seems unlikely however that a snake of that size ( they are reporting it at 100lbs) would constrict and then leave behind its "prey" none the less two items. The media has reported the snake being a boa or a burm and now an African rock unfortunately this doesn't help our cause of stopping CatX it will only fuel it. We can only do damage control now..somehow. We as a group have to come together and continue to prove we are responsible owners and if in fact the snake in question did do this...we need to show it was a freak accident.

[Slitherous]

The discovery channel did an article too and they aren't helping much either.

http://news.discovery.com/animals/pe...ids-130806.htm

Actually I found the article to be relatively benign. They quoted a seemingly-experienced "expert" who raised many of the questions we are raising in this thread. It quoted him saying he found the circumstances of the case to be "unusual", (understatement).


S

[MrLang]

I just read the first few lines of that Discovery Channel article and had to stop.

"extensive experience with this type of snake, having help care for one for some time in the past."

'Mommy, mommy, I wanna be Lois Lane!!'
'Ok, let's pay an institution $100,000 to sell you some text books and pass you and then you can be Lois!'
'Look guys, I know how to tell people about things that happen, I went to SCHOOL for it. They taught me RHETORIC!!'
'You're hired!'


What... is... that...?!?!

[norwegn113]

OK so me and my wife just read an article where the media stated that the children were victims of a snake that went " on a snack attack!!!!" OMG! my take on this.... The guy that found these kids ( the dad ) killed these kids for what ever reason then worked out this elaborate plan to cover it up by some amazing snake escape gone horribly wrong! ) Im not buying that a 100 lb snake falls from the ceiling into the room of 2 sleeping kids ( btw wasnt this a sleep over? when I was a kid and had sleep overs we all slept in the same room in couch cushion and blanket forts. ) very convenient his son was safely in another room. These kids did not wake up before being attacked. noone heard 100 lbs falling through the ceiling? the boys did not scream? snake attacks 2 kids at the same time without a single bite mark? any snake I have ever seen constrict has always bitten first! I fear this is one guy that is going to get away with murder! Yep I said it....call me heartless but my money is on the dad as the culprit. I call it as I see it! However this makes good news and is the perfect way for the governments to introduce more restrictions on our rights. this is the SandyHook of the snake world. No more guns...No more snakes!!!!!!

[KingObeat]

Urban Jungle Radio did a report about this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWMXW...quSAX3r4kRv-MQ What are the odds that this will make Canada ban or put more restrictions on large snakes?

[Slitherous]

Most "professional" zoologist comments I've seen in the news tend towards skepticism that the snake would, (or could), do that, but the sensationalism from the media will be what does the damage. I agree, I can't see how a snake constricts two children with a third child present and no one notices til morning? It very well could be a coverup, but if not it is a very rare and isolated incident. I haven't heard a length on the snake, just that it was "100 lbs". A 15' python that only weighs 100 lbs would be by definition a hungry snake, (a snake that long should be 150lbs +), so if you combine that with prey-smelling children I suppose it's possible, but definitely not plausible! I agree, there very well might be more to the story. Unfortunately all python species will be vilified as a result.

S