"Reticulated Tiger Python", I'm really curious how the media managed to get ahold of the morph of the animal and misconstrue it to be the actual name of the species. I'm sure they interviewed the husband about what kind it was, but I can't imagine him saying anything but just "reticulated python".

I think if a keeper must handle a large snake such as a retic alone, it's probably best to have a very large hunting knife within reach. Even if it's your prized tiger retic, in a situation like that, it's you or the snake.