Too sad, 25-year-old woman killed by retic

[Starwild]

http://www.yahoo.com/s/975536

I HATE seeing stories like this, especially because these accidents happen so rarely compared to say, car wrecks, yet it feeds into the fear so many people in the public have of snakes.

But this one I thought was at least a fair portrayal of the issue, they didn't try to make the snake look scary or use stock footage of like a ball python, and the main point was that you DON'T handle 10 foot+ snakes by yourself.

So sad for the family though, my thoughts are with them.

I admit I'm a little confused because that's the smallest length of snake I've ever heard killing someone, that would be almost like a RTB killing someone. Maybe she was a smaller woman. I sure hope it wasn't anyone on here.

I love the huge snakes, but I know I can't handle them so I leave them to pros like you guys. :main_thumbsup: Everybody be safe!

 

[T&KBrouse]

Oh no. It sickens me to hear stuff like this. And now that beautiful animal will be put down due to it's owner misjudgement. :main_no:

 

[Babylon]

Wow, I live very near VA beach, I'm surprised my dad didn't send me this new clip. Yeah, that seems a bit short to me for a killing python and I don't know that it make any sense to euthanize the python when it was just mad about being held down for meds like any sick animal. Needless to say, its not wild and it's not rabid, it just needs an experienced handler.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

Crazy story! It had to have wrapped itself around her neck. I can't imagine how else it would have killed her. I hope they didn't have any children!

 

[Crazygecko]

I read this story the other day, and yes very sad.
I believe 10 ft is right at the point they start considering them able to kill a person.
Especialy if this poor woman was small sized and if and where it bit her when it first striked.
I am one of those people who love big snakes but have enough respect for them and I guess fear to stay away from them because I know just how powerful they can be even when they seem docile.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Sad. Very, very sad.

 

[leonut]

yes, very sad... kinda creepy actually, i used to live very near there not too long ago.

 

[katia]

very sad indeed, i feel for her family. i read an article yesterday that said she died of asphyxiation by neck compression. i think they say a snake only has to be 7 feet long before it can constrict a human to death.

 

[Bodon]

And the snakes name was Diablo....how crazy is that??

 

[nevinm]

what amazes me is that the way this woman was killed was the exact same way the LAST person who was killed (that burm was 14ft). and katie you are correct, depending on what species of snake, 8 ft is plenty big enough to kill someone if they catch you the right way. this is speaking from experiance, and ive talked about this on this forum once befor. But my girl star when she was about 6-7 ft. missed a rat and hit my hand. she was more than stronge enough to pull me into her cage with her, as soon as she relized i wasnt a rat she let go, but the strength she had suprized even my self, and ive owned and worked with masive snakes for the better part of my life.

in my own opinion~~
im sure ill catch hell for this, i do feel bad for the woman, and worse for the family, but when are people going to learn. YOU DO NOT GO INTO A SNAKES CAGE THAT IS LARGER THAN 7FT WITH OUT ANOTHE PERSON OR SOME KIND OF ESCAPE PLAN. you just DO NOT.
my heart goes out to the family, and i am sorry, but i just dont feel nearly as bad as i do for that snake that will probably be but down, and all the repercutions that will come to us, the good snake keepers.

thats just my opinion

 

[metaldad904]

Don't discount me for being heartless or anything b/c it is still very sad but this woman obviously had no idea what she was doing. Any experienced keeper knows what these guys are capable of and should have precautions set up for a possible accident. For one, the general rule of thumb is this, and don't take it as sexist of anything, 8-9 ft or higher should not be handled alone by a woman (please don't take that the wrong way), as for guys 10-13 ft and above u need a buddy. A lot depends on the weight and type of species too. For example, Retics are a lot less heavy bodied compared to burmese pythons until they hit around 14-15 feet. For example, a 13 ft burm can sometimes weigh 70-90 lbs already (they're fat as hell), a 13 ft retic, even a fat one won't weigh more than 50 lbs (and even that is huge for that length). Green Anacondas are similar to Burms in weight, so same rule applies. I do think if you insist upon handling your 10+ foot snake you must have several escape options available to you.

Here are a few things,

1)Be near a good source of water (shower, large sink)....if a snake latches onto you one of the best ways to get them to release is to turn the water onto hot or cold....typically this will cause them to let go pretty quickly (i've actually done this before when my 10ft retic latched onto my arm, worked like a charm). Remember, they are cold-blooded and cant stand extreme temperature changes. This is the safest way to get them off w/out hurting them.

2)Keep a bottle of alcohol (rubbing/vodka, whatever it may be) within arms reach. If they latch on poor it in their face, they HATE it....it burns like hell. I don't particularly like doing that b/c it can actually hurt them but in this scenario you just might have to.

3)A big knife. Always keep good size knife (kitchen or hunting, whatever...as long as its sharp enough) close by. This is if ALL ELSE FAILS b/c if this is your pet you most likely don't want to kill it, remember they are wild animals and don't understand that this isn't acceptable behavior. But...if nothing else works and its between you and the python, it's time to start hacking. Best way to make it quick is to go for the spinal column located directly behind the head of the snake. A deep puncture there will most likely sever it and kill the snake immediately. I hate suggesting this b/c that is just horrific, but desperate times may call for desperate measures.

Again, not trying to be heartless b/c it's very sad that someone lost their life but i'm getting real sick & tired of seeing these stories. BE PREPARED PEOPLE. If you want to keep giant snakes you need to be ready for the worst. These animals are designed to kills animals up to several hundred pounds, they are apex predators and as much as you want to convince yourself....THEY DON'T LOVE YOU, they tolerate your existance but if by some circumstance you appear as a meal to them they will take you down in a heartbeat. Be smart, be prepared and you will be okay, just don't be an idiot.

 

[nevinm]

EXACTLY!!!!!!