[Salamander]

And here's a Rock Python from his FB page in late 2012;

If that is *the* snake, going by the size of compared to the plastic sweater box behind it, I can't see it 'strangling' a kid.

It's not really a very big snake.

Many have mentioned that the snake was said to be "sluggish" by people on the scene due to temperatures.

When a snake is cold, it's pretty much harmless.

They simply cannot move very well.

Entertainers who use snakes in their acts know this and 'chill' their animals before going onstage.

[xzins]

I’ve read multiple reports saying the rock python is 4 meters +, and some saying everything from 13 to 16 feet.

I read one article that said snakes over 8 ft aren’t legal for sale (was that you?), but that this snake was his pet and not for sale.

That doesn’t preclude his having other pythons that are also pets in addition to the killer python.