Huge snake captured while eating a chicken
African Rock Pythons are not venomous; they kill by constricting (squeezing) their prey until it can no longer breathe
An African Rock Python was captured at eSidakeni, near Ezakeni, recently.
The snake was spotted by a resident, who saw that it was eating one of his chickens. With great effort, he miraculously managed to capture the huge creature.
With all the commotion taking place, concerned community members crowded around to help him.
The snake, which was about three metres long, was then removed.
African Rock Pythons are not venomous; they kill by constricting (squeezing) their prey until it can no longer breathe. Like all snakes, pythons are cold-blooded; they are the same temperature as the environment.
They continue to grow all their lives, getting bigger and bigger each year. African Rock Pythons average 18 to 20 feet long, but can grow up to 28 feet (8.5m). Their scaly skin glistens, but is dry to the touch.
They are tan with brown spots that have black outlines. A tan V-shape marks the face. The python smells using its tongue. This snake has no fangs. It uses heat sensing organs in its upper and lower jaws to detect warm-blooded prey (like mammals).
