Two kids killed? I’m betting there’s more to this story.
That’s what I was thinking. I could see one, but two?
Depending on the python, I think not. I was visiting the everglades this winter, and in the presentation by the park service people, they mentioned the problem they’re having with pythons that have been turned loose by owners. The everglades is just their kind of place. The park guy said that the incidence of game from deer down to rodents is so low that they’re rarely seen anymore. It’s attributed to these snakes.
I’m with you — I don’t believe this story, at least in terms of the way it’s presented in the article.
First of all, boa constrictors don’t get that big — maybe 10-12 feet, unlike large burmese or reticulated pythons, which can get much larger. That is potentially big enough to kill a five year old, but pretty unlikely.
Also, I don’t know the pet store, so maybe they had a full grown boa constrictor as a display animal, but typically pet stores only carry younger, smaller constrictors. Then again, it appears to be a reptile specialty store, so maybe.
Still, I’m trying to picture any scenario at all where the snake strikes (since the kids are too big to be prey, it’s hard to imagine why it would strike at all), and strangles one kid (which does take some time), while the other kid waits around till the snake is finished so he can be strangled too. I’m also trying to imagine a scenario where a snake like that serially attacks two times, one after the other.
Something is really not right about this story.