Austin police searching for cobra believed to have killed man

Austin American Statesman ^ | 7-16-15 | unattributed

[smokingfrog]

Police are searching for a cobra that is believed to have bitten an 18-year-old man who died Tuesday evening.

Police believe Grant Thompson, 18, owned a monocled cobra and that it bit him in his car while at the parking lot of a Lowe’s at 13000 North Interstate 35. Thompson died after going into cardiac arrest, medics have said.

Police said it is possible that the snake is still in the area and are asking anyone with information about the animal to call police at 512-974-5210. Police described the cobra as black with a distinctive circle on its back and a tan underbelly.

Police urged people not to approach the snake, which is considered highly aggressive, and call 911 immediately if they spot it.

According to social media posts and a Temple Daily Telegram article from March, Thompson was a passionate animal lover who worked at Fish Bowl Pet Express in Temple and would show exotic animals to children as part of his job. His mother had taken him to Fish Bowl Pet Express since he was a baby and, after she bought the business in 2013, Thompson volunteered to work there before becoming a staff member, posts on Facebook said.

[WayneS]

...or even several mongeese.

[ltc8k6]

Uhhh...I meant that’s why people try it.

They don’t realize that the performers are cheating and in no danger.

[LouAvul]

Police described the cobra as black with a distinctive circle on its back and a tan underbelly. Police urged people not to approach the snake,

But how will they determine if it has a tan underbelly without turning it over? I know, let's send Pedro. He's good at that stuff.

[FrdmLvr]

Police described the cobra as black with a distinctive circle on its back and a tan underbelly.

…so, if you see a black cobra withOUT a distinctive circle on it's back or a tan underbelly, it's probably not the one we're looking for... smh

[smokingfrog]

And besides, Austin is a sanctuary city.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Was he taking the snake to a drive-in?

[JohnBovenmyer]

We have a Darwin Award WInner!

[WayneS]

Snake on the Plains?

[smokingfrog]

The snake obviously went to snake school.

[USMCPOP]

When I was in Thailand years ago, a buddy of mine found a cobra under his refrigerator one morning during the cool season. Guess it was warmer under there. No doubt the same species as this one, as they are relatively common in Thailand.

Aussies in some areas have problems with some even more venomous snakes. In the garage or the engine compartment of the car ... yikes! Copperheads are the only concern where I’m living and they aren’t too bad.

[Hulka]

Is that you, James Carville?

[1Old Pro]

My cobra loves riding in the car. He sits right up on the seat and sticks his head out the window..

Mine likes the sunroof.

[LT Brass Bancroft]

Here you go:

[BlueDragon]

Quarantine the airports!

[Myrddin]

I had a Burmese python for about a year. It grew from 18 inches to 5 ft. My wife was lowering a small rat by the tail into the terrarium when "Monty" latched onto her hand. I lifted the snake and terrarium onto the nearby bed and carefully backed the teeth out of my wife's hand. She just had a small semi-circle of white punctures. No tearing or cuts. We found a childless couple who really wanted a Burmese. That was a safety consideration with two small boys in the house.

[TangibleDisgust]

Police described the cobra as black with a distinctive circle on its back and a tan underbelly.

did they say anything about one with tan stripes and no circle?

[Chewbarkah]

Since importing non-native venomous snakes is verboten, does this count as yet another American killed by an illegal alien in a sanctuary city?

[ZULU]

They get quiet large and a bite from a big constrictor is painful and can get septic. Get a corn snake or king snake.

[Myrddin]

We had a Rosy Boa for almost 15 years. The garter snakes (UNIX and C) escaped. The wild type rabbit (Harvey) lived 11 years. The blue front Amazon parrot (Flip...as in flip the bird) went 18 years before a heat wave took him out. The pair of cocktiels (Harry and Woodstock) went 23 years. We have pretty good success with out pets. Our oldest dog is 13 years old now. The bearded dragon is 3 years old. The Maine Coon cats (25 lbs and 36 lbs) are 14 years old. We have 7 dogs right now. That's a handful. Keeping the water dish full is a full time job. I haven't had time for restarting the aquariums. I had my choice of south American cichlids, African cichlids or salt water fish in San Diego. Plenty of stores and support. No as good in Pocatello. I like Red Devils, Tiger Oscars, tire track eels, Plecostamus (catfish) and Reed fish. Jack Dempseys are nice looking fish too. Simply no time for that right now.