16-Foot Python Eats Family Dog

[andresont]

What were they thinking ?! 16 foot snake close to home and kids?
Its good that this snake picked the dog not somone else eh?
story below.
**************************************************

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n3882321.shtml

A 16-foot python stalked a family dog for days before swallowing the pet whole in front of horrified children in the Australian tropics, animal experts said Wednesday.

The boy and girl, ages 5 and 7, watched as the scrub python devoured their silky terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed Monday at their home near Kuranda in Queensland state.

Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo in Kuranda, said scrub pythons typically eat wild animals such as wallabies, a smaller relative of the kangaroo, but sometimes turn to pets in urban areas.

"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," Douglas said.

"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it," he added.

[EmilyB]

Probably a chiweenie, confusion all round...

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chiweenie.htm

[Keri]

See, none of our snakes are big enough to eat Phoebe

edit: Chiweenie? GREAT....it bites AND eventually needs back surgery!!

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by andresont

What were they thinking ?! 16 foot snake close to home and kids?
Its good that this snake picked the dog not somone else eh?
story below.

Scrub pythons are native to Australia, it wasn't somebody's pet.

[Moogled]

Active stalking (for days, too!!). I didn't know snakes had it in them.

Sweet.

[Keri]

So... I dunno about you but if I saw something (Anything!) STALKING my dog I'd probably not allow it out unsupervised...or at all in that area?

[mildcustom2]

Being a snake collector and breeder for years I can tell you that Scrub pythons are very agressive and you would not want to take one on. I have handled everything from corn snakes, boas and pythons to rattlers and cobras and I would never want to take on a scrub python. I think 16 ft for a scrub python is a bit exagerated, maybe 8-10 ft. I had a 4.5 ft Borneo short tailed python that could easily eat a small dog easily. I swear by snakes as being one of the best low maintenance pets out there but only the right snake. Some snakes should be left to experienced specialized collectors and not the average collector. Some should not be in captivity at all.

Heres a little something to think about for those that think its cool to own a really big snake. First pic is of a reticulated python that is technically the worlds biggest snake on record at 33 ft. Pic is before they cut it open.




Next pic is after they cut it open, that is a full grown Philipino man inside.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

The same thing (as pictured above) happened in Malaysia when I lived there (1994-1995). I remember seeing the local newspaper articles.

You've got to admit, they're fascinating and remarkable creatures.