Home
Snake Owner Daniel Brandon Killed By His Pet Python
Daniel Brandon's social media pages showed him posing with snakes, including a pythonA snake owner was killed by an 8ft (2.4m) pet python he called his "baby", an inquest has heard.
Daniel Brandon, 31, died from asphyxiation at his home near Basingstoke, Hampshire, on 25 August.
One of the pets - a female African rock python named Tiny - was found near his body, out of its pen.
Coroner Andrew Bradley said there was no doubt Mr Brandon died "as a result of contact with Tiny" and he recorded a verdict of misadventure.
Mr Brandon had kept snakes for 16 years and Tiny was one of 10 snakes and 12 tarantulas he kept in his room at the family home, North Hampshire Coroner's Court heard.
His mother Barbara Brandon said her son had owned Tiny since it was small enough to fit in his hand.
He never felt threatened by Tiny and was aware of how strong it was, she said, but there were occasions when it would "strike out" if she entered the room.
She told the court on the night of her son's death she heard a bang coming from his room, but had assumed it was a dumbbell falling or that he knocked something over.
She later discovered Mr Brandon unconscious in his bedroom and later found the snake coiled under a cabinet.
The African rock pythonSource: BBC Nature
Pythons kill by wrapping themselves around their prey and squeezing tighter and tighter but they rarely kill humans.
Mr Bradley said: "The most likely scenario is that Tiny was engaged with Dan - I have no doubt about that.
"She was coiling around him, at which point I have no idea. There was a point at which either she takes hold of him unexpectedly or trips him up or some other mechanism."
Mr Bradley said the snake then hid, probably "because of the shock of him falling or because of his reaction".
However, reptile expert Prof John Cooper, who examined Tiny at the Brandons' home in November, told the court Mr Brandon "would have known how to unwrap a python".
Prof Cooper also inspected the skin that Tiny shed later that month and said if the snake had coiled around Mr Brandon, there would have been scratches visible on the snake's skin caused by him trying to get the reptile off - but there were none.
'Obsessed with snakes'A statement issued by Mrs Brandon after the conclusion of the inquest described her son as "one of the funniest people you could wish to meet".
"I cry every day and night and relive that evening all the time," she said. "All the family wanted was answers to our questions, and I have no idea yet whether we have that or will."
Daniel Brandon had kept snakes for 16 yearsMr Brandon's social media pages showed him posing with snakes, including a Burmese python.
Friends set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in his memory.
A friend posted: "Dan was obsessed with snakes, spiders, birds and all wildlife.
"We have struggled when looking for photos for his funeral to find any when he isn't holding a spider, snake, small bird, toad, slow worm, hedgehog, feeding a fox, stroking cattle, befriending a cat or dog so these charities seemed the perfect choice."
Copyright 2023 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Beta Terms By using the Beta Site, you agree that such use is at your own risk and you know that the Beta Site may include known or unknown bugs or errors, that we have no obligation to make this Beta Site available with or without charge for any period of time, nor to make it available at all, and that nothing in these Beta Terms or your use of the Beta Site creates any employment relationship between you and us. The Beta Site is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and we make no warranty to you of any kind, express or implied.
In case of conflict between these Beta Terms and the BBC Terms of Use these Beta Terms shall prevail.
Python At Karura Forest Will Not Eat You, Chief Scout Says
The African Rock Python spotted in Karura forest [Photo: Courtesy] Karura Forest Chief Scout John Chege says the African Rock Python spotted in the forest on Saturday poses no danger.
"My team and I spotted the python on Saturday while doing a patrol, but it doesn't pose any danger to the forest users,'' Chege told Standard Digital.
Photos of the giant snake circulating on social media elicited fear among people who frequent the forest with many vowing never to set foot there again.
However, Chege says the users of the forest should not be afraid because "pythons eat rodents and there are enough rodents in the forest," adding that in the ten years he has been at Karura Forest, he has never witnessed a person being attacked by a python there.
According to Chege, it's rare for pythons which live deep on marshy grounds in the forest, to be spotted by humans.
"Karura Forest has had over two million visitors since it had been opened to the public some ten years ago. In all that time there have been only about four or five sightings of pythons in the forest, so it's a pretty rare occurrence," he said.
He said there was no need to remove the snake from the forest since it was in its natural habitat and they (pythons) help maintain the forest ecosystem.
"The python is in its natural habitat, and there is no need to relocate it. We need to learn to exist with the animals found in the park. They help control the population of animals in the forest, therefore, helps in maintain the ecosystem," he said.
Chege advised users of the forest to abstain from going off track and use only designated zones.??
Biggest Snakes In The World: Meet Earth's Giant Serpents
The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) grabs the title of biggest snake in the world. And probably eats it. Patrick K. Campbell/Shutterstock
While you may not want to encounter one on a hike, there's no denying that snakes are magnificent creatures — no matter how big or small they are. But when it comes to the biggest snakes in the world, nature truly knows no bounds.
From the mighty green anaconda to the reticulated python, these giant snakes are jaw-dropping and deadly. They inhabit diverse environments across the globe, and each species has unique adaptations that allow them to thrive.
Get ready to slither into the world of these fascinating behemoths, and learn about the roles they play in their ecosystems.
How Do You Measure the World's Largest Snakes?"The question of size is a tricky one," says Jesus Rivas, a herpetologist and professor of biology at New Mexico Highlands University. Imagine if someone asked you, "What's the largest land mammal?" According to Rivas, you would "answer before hesitation" that it's the African savanna elephant.
"Nobody would start bellyaching as to how much taller giraffes are. Simply because when we mean size, mass is the determining factor," he says. "That is why I simply say anacondas are the largest snakes in the world, period."
OK, but how big do they get?
Exact measurements are hard to pin down. Green anacondas — and reticulated pythons — are incredibly strong beasts. Not only that, but a massive snake doesn't always react well to handling.
So, anybody who might want to stretch one out by hand and hold it up to an extra-long ruler sure has their work cut out for them. Rivas' book, "Anaconda: The Secret Life of the World's Largest Snake," contains some interesting anecdotes about this.
In one chapter, he describes a colleague who measured a full-grown anaconda at 18 feet (5.5 meters). To get this figure, the scientist took a piece of string, held it over the struggling reptile's back and then measured the string.
Later, Rivas himself measured the same anaconda using the exact same technique — and found the creature to be just 14 feet (4.3 meters) long. Simply by twisting its body around, the snake managed to yield two very different measurements.
Story continues
Now that we have the lowdown on retics and green anacondas, let's take a closer look at some of their large cousins.
Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus). Paul Starosta / Getty Images
World's Longest Snake: Reticulated PythonsThe reticulated python — or "retic" — is a marvel of nature, embodying the extremes of reptilian growth. Native to the lush rainforests of South and Southeast Asia, Malayopython reticulatus is recognized for its striking pattern, a complex mosaic of diamond shapes interspersed with intricate lines and vibrant colors.
Adults can achieve astonishing lengths: On average, adult retics typically range from 10 to 20 feet in length.
These constrictors, while nonvenomous, are formidable predators, relying on their immense strength to subdue prey, which includes a variety of mammals and the occasional bird. Retics get big enough to swallow pigs, deer — and yes, the occasional human. This comes as no surprise to Richard Shine, a biologist at Australia's Macquarie University.
In an email interview, Shine says he "encountered one individual female that was almost 23 feet [7 meters] long" while conducting research in Sumatra. "[Females] grow longer than males in both the reticulated python and the anaconda, so the biggest snake in the world (wherever she is) is doubtless a female," he notes.
In a 2005 report, another plus-sized retic — from the island of Borneo — was measured at 22 feet, 10 inches (6.95 meters) long. Fun fact about that snake: It ate a bear!
Somehow, a wild, 50-pound (23-kilogram) sun bear who'd been wearing a radio collar caught the reptile's attention. The retic swallowed it whole, collar and all. Researchers later tracked the python down for examination.
Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus). James Gerholdt / Getty Images
World's Heaviest Snake: Green AnacondasRivas has been studying green anacondas in their natural habitat for three decades and counting.
"The largest [green anaconda] I have caught was a bit more than 220 pounds [100 kilograms]," Rivas tells us via email. "There are figures of 500 pounds [227 kilograms] that I do not doubt," he says.
Indeed, the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the world's heaviest snake species. Native to South America, it thrives in aquatic environments like swamps and slow-moving rivers.
These massive constrictors, which can exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters) in length, are known for their striking green color and dark spots. Its diet includes fish, birds and even large mammals, which it overpowers with its immense strength.
Here's the rub: Green anacondas are more heavily built animals than retics.
Due to their hulking proportions, experts agree that the South American snakes can get much, much heavier than even the largest of pythons. Yet, when it comes to body length, reticulated pythons might actually have a slight edge. Rivas says there are records that suggest that, when comparing the two snakes, retics grow longer.
"The largest [green anaconda] I have measured was a bit shy of 18 feet [5.5 meters]," Rivas adds. "While I do not doubt they can grow larger, possibly 8 meters [26 feet] or more, this is far from widely accepted among [specialists]."
King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). Joe McDonald / Getty Images
World's Longest Venomous Snake: King CobrasThe King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) demands respect. With lengths up to 19 feet (5.85 meters), it is a true giant among its kind. This snake, native to South and Southeast Asia's dense forests, is distinguished by its chevron-patterned skin and exceptional behavior; it is notably the only snake that constructs nests for its eggs, displaying a fierce maternal protection.
The diet of the King Cobra is as remarkable as its nesting habits — it preys on other snakes, even large pythons, earning its moniker "snake-eater." Although its venom is not the most toxic, in a single bite, the King Cobra can unleash enough neurotoxins to bring down an elephant or multiple humans.
Beyond its ecological role, the King has also coiled itself into pop culture. It has inspired characters like the hypnotic Kaa in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," and its fearsome image is central to the "Cobra Kai" dojo in the "Karate Kid" franchise, symbolizing strength and resilience.
African rock python (Python sebae). Joe McDonald / Getty Images
Africa's Largest Snake: African Rock PythonsThe African rock python (Python sebae) holds the title as Africa's largest snake, with the capacity to reach lengths of up to 4.8 meters (15.7 feet). This formidable constrictor inhabits a wide range of environments across sub-Saharan Africa, from savannas to rainforests, showcasing its adaptability.
Its mottled, earthy coloration not only provides excellent camouflage amongst the African wilderness but also underscores its raw, natural beauty.
The rock python exhibits remarkable maternal instincts; females aggressively guard their eggs until they hatch, which is unusual among snakes. These pythons have a voracious appetite, able to prey on animals as large as antelopes. And due to their size and strength, they have few natural predators once they reach adulthood.
However, in some local cultures, they are hunted for their skin and meat. With a notorious reputation for being ill-tempered, encounters with humans can be perilous.
Attendees view a replica of the prehistoric Titanoboa, the largest snake to ever live, on display at Grand Central Terminal Mar. 23, 2012 in New York City. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Largest Extinct Snake: TitanoboasSome 58 million years ago, a gargantuan snake patrolled the rivers of Colombia. Named Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the animal swims those waters no more.
Experts aren't sure why the reptile died out. Maybe climate change did this species in — or perhaps it just couldn't compete with the big, carnivorous mammals who later arrived on the scene. What we do know is that Titanoboa was absolutely, positively gigantic.
Although nobody's ever found a complete skeleton, paleontologists have an assortment of Titanoboa fossils to go on, including ribs, backbones and pieces of skull. They paint a striking image of the long-extinct creature.
Judging by the available remains, it seems Titanoboa could have probably weighed over 1.25 tons (over 1.13 metric tons) and surpassed 42 feet (12.8 meters) in length. That would make it the largest known snake of all time. But needless to say, a lot of things have changed over the past 58 million years.
Today, we share this planet with more than 3,000 recognized snake species. Some catch live bats on the fly; some play dead; a few of them even glide down from treetops like skinny parachuters.
Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
Prey and Predator: Burmese PythonsThe Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is among the giants of the snake world. Native to the marshy regions of Southeast Asia, this species is renowned for its impressive length, which can exceed 5.5 meters (18 feet), and its considerable mass.
Despite their size, these pythons are excellent swimmers and can stay submerged for up to half an hour before surfacing for air. They are also known for their distinctive color pattern, featuring brown blotches bordered in black down the length of their bodies.
Unlike some of their other slithering pals, Burmese pythons are both predators and prey. They are apex predators in their habitat, but their young are often hunted by larger animals. These gentle giants, while nonvenomous, are constrictors, subduing their prey with immense strength before consumption.
What's the Difference Between Boas and Pythons?Eunectes murinus isn't the only anaconda crawling around these days. There are three other species on record: the yellow anaconda, the dark-spotted anaconda and the Bolivian anaconda.
Adapted for a semiaquatic lifestyle in lush swamps and winding rivers, the four snakes are all native to tropical South America. They're also members of the Boidae family of snakes, which means that anacondas are technically considered boas.
"These are ... Two separate evolutionary lineages of snakes, both containing some species that are small and some that are huge," says Shine. "One intriguing difference is that most boas produce live babies while all pythons lay eggs."
Geography is another point of distinction. While boas generally live in the Western Hemisphere, pythons are Old World natives. By far, the longest snake in that half of the globe is the our lengthy friend, the retic.
This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Now That's Interesting
Green anacondas sometimes eat turtles. Instead of constricting these hard-shelled animals, the snakes hold them underwater until they drown.
Original article: Biggest Snakes in the World: Meet Earth's Giant Serpents
Copyright © 2023 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company
Comments
Post a Comment