Posts Tagged “snakes”

A Darwin, Australia, family said its 8-week-old kitten was swallowed whole by a python that invaded its backyard.

Asha McLaren said her daughter, 14-year-old Taara, went to feed the family’s five adult cats and four kittens at about 7 a.m. Tuesday when she noticed one of the young felines, named Kohl, was missing and a massive snake was in its place, The Australian reported Wednesday.

“My daughter went out to feed the cats and they normally all come running at the sound of the dish, but Kohl was missing,” McLaren said. “She then looked around and saw the snake. She called out to me, saying there was a big snake and that she thought it had eaten Kohl.”

“When I went out I couldn’t believe it. It had a bulging belly and when we couldn’t find Kohl anywhere it was obvious he’d been eaten,” she said.

McLaren said a professional snake catcher captured the python and an X-ray was taken that proved the bulge in its belly was indeed from eating the kitten.

The following information is being brought to you as a PSA from the WVb.

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“…If ever chased by a snake, which I find very hard to believe, run in a zig-zag pattern…”

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/9003/dangers.htm

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“…There’s a little myth that snakes can outrun humans. If you are unlucky enough to be chased by a snake, the myth claims than you should run straight up the nearest hill, because snakes can’t go straight up, but have to weave back and forth across the track…”

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s641636.htm

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“…My mother would warn me that if I was ever chased by a snake I should run in a straight line, since snakes slithered from side to side — unless, of course, I happened to be running downhill. Then I should weave from side to side because a determined serpent would turn itself into a hoop by taking its tail in its mouth and roll down after me…”

http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/forbiser.html

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If the tactics listed above do not work, you can always run around in circles and flail your arms about wildly. You may just scare the snake off, or convince him to bite you…. one or the other.