Discussions

If You Were Alone In A Zoo Would You Let The Python Out?

Posted by reasonablerobinson • 8/26/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: python, venezuela, zoo

Unfortunate student Erick Arrieta was eaten by a python last night as he worked alone in a Venezuelan zoo.

Would you have taken the same risk by opening the cage?

Full story here:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7582702.stm

User Comments

8/26/08

voodooKobra

Eaten by a python? Damn.

Also, I thought the title was a euphemism.

[reply]
1. 8/26/08
  
  flamingpoodle
  
  Yes, don't ever let the python out by yourself.
2. 8/27/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  LMAO
8/26/08

reasonablerobinson

I was simply trialing my new 'euphometer' and it looks like its taken its first reading

[reply]
8/26/08

ThriftShopRomantic

I thought it was a Harry Potter preview thread.

What a way to go, huh?

[reply]
1. 8/26/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  Lucky Hermione as Harry releases his pet python?
2. 8/26/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Maybe that's really LATE in the sequels.
3. 8/26/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  well, after the 9 o'clock watershed anyway
8/26/08

AmyOops

ha-ha-ha .. its like the guy who went to bathe in the river with gators to honor them. and one of them ate him..

i have no pity ..

[reply]
1. 8/26/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  Looks like Life and Snakes suck!!
2. 8/26/08
  
  kat822
  
  wow that's harsh
8/26/08

bebade

merhaba ...

[reply]
8/26/08

CrystalRaven

damn

[reply]
8/26/08

flamingpoodle

They beat the snake?! That's stupid.

That caused the snake to panic and constrict the poor guy even more. The snake wouldn't constrict something unless it wanted to eat it. Usually, when a python tries to swallow someone, it is safe to let the snake do it's thing until it realises it can't swallow you whole. At this point, the snake will regurgitate you.

Of course, your good shirt would be ruined, but the snake won't kill anyone unless it feels threatened. Which it would if you start beating it.

10m, that's quite a beauty. My one friend has a 3m python. Pet snakes make excellent watchdogs. If they don't eat the watchdogs.

[reply]
1. 8/26/08
  
  pumpkinlights
  
  flamingpoodle
  Usually, when a python tries to swallow someone, it is safe to let the snake do it's thing until it realises it can't swallow you whole. At this point, the snake will regurgitate you.
  -----------------------------
  
  Hmm, sounds as if you learned that from first hand experience.
2. 8/27/08
  
  flamingpoodle
  
  Sadly, I've never seen a python swallowing someone.
8/26/08

kat822

i think he was dead already, it said it crushed him first

[reply]
8/26/08

acousticguitarist

It is time once again to discuss the virtues of the Red Panda species and if you are at a zoo why you should visit them instead.

Description:

Red pandas, which resemble raccoons, are about 42 inches long, including a long, bushy tail. They weigh between seven and 14 pounds. Their red-and-white markings blend in with the red mosses and white lichens that grow on the trees in which they live. Their soft, dense fur covers their entire body—even the soles of their feet. Red pandas use their long, bushy tails to balance when they're in trees. They also cover themselves with their tails in winter.

Red pandas primarily eat bamboo leaves as well as berries, blossoms, bird eggs, and various plants' small leaves. Their broad teeth and strong jaws allow them to chew bamboo's tough leaves and stalks. They also have a small, bony projection on their wrists that helps them grip bamboo stalks.

[reply]
1. 8/26/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  certainly no risk of being swallowed whole then as humans don't taste of bamboo - nice !
2. 8/27/08
  
  flamingpoodle
  
  A red panda is more dangerous. It eats, shoots and leaves.
3. 8/27/08
  
  absolutelytrue
  
  We tried visiting the red panda the last time we were at the zoo.. It was either missing or in hiding, so we didn't get to say hello.
8/26/08

Theresa111

The poor, poor young man.

[reply]
8/26/08

Bayho

haha no i would not. . . .and i have been thinking about it and i don't know who would do that. . .especially someone who knows all about the animal and works at the zoo. haha to be honest i didn't care to read the story just because i pretty much learned all i needed to know in the first sentences.

[reply]
8/27/08

reasonablerobinson

Is there a Common Sense module in a Zoology Degree course?

[reply]
8/27/08

jafabrit

People often seem to underestimate animals and this poor young man paid a terrible price for it.

[reply]
8/27/08

JaydenVasara

i feel really sorry for that guy, but who would let out a massive python?? it's sad tho that his lack of common sense brought about his death.

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  flamingpoodle
  
  Yes, they should let a burlesque stripper handle the python.
8/27/08

satijournal

Proof of natural selection!

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  flamingpoodle
  
  python > zoo keeper
8/27/08

RTBjr73

I wonder if he tastes like chicken...

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  Ironic really Zoo to Ooz in the jaws of a hungry reptile
8/27/08

alexmcone

There's something really fishy about that.

A 10 foot python attempting to eat a 29 year old is pretty freaky stuff. Were they not feeding it ? Even if it were alarmed it would bite to attack but attempting to eat is a totally different matter.

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  Maybe he was trying to eat the Python and it back fired?
8/27/08

Anniepooh

Isn't this a repeat? Or did this happen yet again?

EDIT: Ew - I read it - it's different than the last snake swallowing incident.

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  A pythonesque burp? Venezuelans habitually get eaten by snakes? or old news ?
2. 8/27/08
  
  Anniepooh
  
  I'll have to find it, but there was another case of a student eaten by a snake ... at least I think it was a snake.
  
  EDIT: Here it is:
  www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/python-swallowed-pupil-in-natioanl-park
3. 8/28/08
  
  reasonablerobinson
  
  Blimey!! I didn't see that discussion. Too busy watching out for Pythons!
8/27/08

LGramlich

Should be nominated for a Darwin Award.

[reply]
8/28/08

Shiley

Snakes aren't intelligent. Here is a story about another stupid python
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aai-Zvd1aw

To answer the question I don't even want to touch one.

[reply]
8/28/08

chrisso

Care is always required when handling potentially dangerous animals but the guy probably took it for granted, used to see and handle the snake on a daily basis...Pythons seem to be slow and drowsy, but their strength can't be matched by a man's strenght so I don't think I would have opened the cage.

[reply]