From: gerard@progress.COM (Gerard Bras)
Subject: Re: KILLER BIVITTATUS
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 15:13:26 GMT

bowden@convex.csd.uwm.edu (John W. Bowden) writes:

.... del

>Ummmm....I hate to cast aspersions on the Royters (sp?) report,
>but having owned some large snakes I find it difficult to believe
>that a 15' unit could kill an adult male Homo sapiens.  Either
>this individual was very *very* frail or the reporters got a bad sizing
>on the snake.  Since a 15' Burmese is not large enough to constrict
>both the arms and legs of an adult, I think that this snake must have
>been much closer to 20' in order to weigh enough to keep a human male
>on the ground.  I've seen Burmese around 20' long and they would make
>quick work of a person alone.  I've also owned several snakes in the 12-14'
>range and they simply are not heavy enough to keep someone on the ground.

I don't agree that it is neccessary to keep the person on the ground 
for the snake to win the day.  Besides, if you can't breath you have
about one minute before you're on the ground, like it or not.  Anyone
who has pried a determined boid loose knows that a minute gets used
up pretty quick.

>Under my model of reasoning, since this snake would not have been able
>to keep the man on the ground, the man would have been able to damage
>the snakes spine against a corner of a wall or piece of furniture which
>would have ended the attack.

With no disrespect to your strength, you are wrong about this.  A large
boid can take astonshing abuse and keep on tickin'.  The simple fact
is that pound for pound, snakes are stronger (much), denser, and tougher
than us.  They are also very pliable. I'll say it again.  This is how 
earn their living out in the forest.   

.... del

>Not to condone my own behavior...but I used to fall asleep watching
>TV with my big pythons.  I would often wake up with them "snuggling"
>with me. ;^)  ((not a joke!))

This is the way of it.  Things can go along very nicely for a long
time.  I'll admit that I used to do the same. They were smaller
then.  It also wasn't dinner time.  My first snake, a female P.m.b,
has always been a friggin loony about food.  When she grabbed my wife
to be by the ankle one day I started caging her.  In my experience
it's an error to extrapolate too much about the behavior of primitive
carnivores.  

>Of course, this was in my more naive period.  I agree with Gerard that
>large pythons (10+') should never be handled alone.  Not because of
>threat of be killed....but because it is very difficult to disengage
>a feeding strike without seriously injuring the snake (in the case of
>very large snakes.)  Also, large python bites are not trivial injuries.

Right on all counts.

>BTW, if you are thinking about getting a Burmese python, find someone
>with a unit over 15' and ask yourself how bad you really want one after
>seeing/handling it.  If you can live without fearing one of these large
>(and mainly gently) snakes I think you will find it rewarding.  If you
>fear the snake, do not get one.  I've met many herpers that are gut level
>uncomfortable with big snakes, so no need to feel like a sissy if you are
>too.

Well, I have a healthy respect (polite term for fear) of my snakes.  They
have earned it.  I haven't been bitten up badly for several years now.  I
attribute this to being cautious and not trusting my little pets.  That said,
they are indeed gentle and sweet natured 99% of the time and having them
around is a lot of fun. I do let them cruise and handle them regularly so
they're pretty tame, I just keep an eye on the business end at all times.

Looking at the adult version before buying the juvenile is super advice.

.... del

cheers,
-gb-