constrictor snake incidents Seventeen people have died from large constrictor snake related incidents in the United States since 1978—12 just since 1990—including one person who suffered a heart attack during a violent struggle with his python and a woman who died from a Salmonella infection. Scores of adults and children have been injured during attacks by these deadly predators. Children, parents, and authorities are finding released or escaped pet pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas all over the country, where they endanger communities, threaten ecosystems, and in many cases suffer tragic deaths. Following is a partial list of incidents, organized by various categories, involving constrictor snakes that have been reported in 45 states. Contents Read more Dangerous incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor involving constrictor snakes snakes skyrocket Four babies sleeping in their cribs, as well as three other children have been squeezed to death by large constrictor snakes. Youngsters have 3 been attacked while playing in their yards, compressed to the point of unconsciousness, nearly blinded when bitten in the face, and suffered numerous other painful, traumatic, and disfiguring injuries. 34 incidents. Adults, other than the snake owner or caretaker, attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes Unsuspecting people have been attacked by escaped or released constrictor snakes while tending to their gardens, sleeping in their beds, 8 or protecting children and pets playing in their yards. One woman discovered an 8-foot python, who later bit an animal trapper she called, in her washing machine. 17 incidents. Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes Experienced reptile handlers and novices alike have been attacked by constrictor snakes, including an 8-month pregnant woman who feared both her and her baby were being killed by their pet snake and an elderly man on blood thinners who suffered dozens of deep puncture 11 wounds. The snakes are victims, too—some have been sprayed with fire extinguishers, shocked with stun guns, or crudely decapitated with meat cleavers, hacksaws, or axes in a desperate effort to stop attacks. 45 incidents. Pets and other animals attacked by constrictor snakes All of the giant constrictors have demonstrated an appetite for dogs. The snakes have also killed a number of pet cats and have found easy meals 17 in chicken coops and on turkey farms. 12 incidents. Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace Frightened residents have discovered these deadly predators emerging 0 20 40 60 80 19 from gardens, attacking pets and wildlife in their yards, hiding in bathrooms, and slithering through hallways of apartment buildings. 144 incidents. 25 - 6 0 - v.2013 constrictor snake incidents Contents Read more Deaths in the U.S. by Constrictor Snakes Constrictor snakes loose in or on vehicles Snake size (feet) Victim age and sex Constrictor snakes have found warmth and shelter in car engines, 7.5 3-year-old male escaped from boxes in delivery trucks, and been left behind in rental 32 8 21-month-old male cars. A driver startled by an unexpected snake emerging in or on a 8 7-month-old female vehicle could easily cause an accident. 25 incidents. 8.5 2-year-old female 9 34-year-old male Constrictor snakes loose in public areas 10 11-month-old male Constrictor snakes have been spotted sunning themselves on picnic 10 43-year-old male tables, abandoned in dumpsters, and slithering across parking lots. 34 11 8-year-old female Hikers have come across constrictor snakes in national parks and nature preserves. 147 incidents. 11.5 15-year-old male 12, 14, or 16 33-year-old male Constrictor snakes loose on owner’s property 13 19-year-old male Police departments have issued community alerts warning citizens of 13 25-year-old female escapes and expended significant resources searching for loose 48 14 23-year-old male constrictor snakes. 27 incidents. 14 48-year-old male Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes 16 42-year-old male Pet constrictor snakes may suffer from starvation, dehydration, 16 47-year-old male parasites, respiratory infections, mouth rot, and other symptoms of neglect. There have been numerous cases of extreme cruelty to these snakes, including a Pennsylvania incident where a python was shot, mutilated, and abandoned. Some people have been arrested for cruelty 51 to animals after feeding live puppies and kittens to their constrictor snakes. One couple, arrested for child abuse, punished their small children by putting the child’s head inside the tank with the family’s pet boa constrictor. 36 incidents. Firefighters put in danger Firefighters already risk their lives, but face added and unnecessary risks when a fire breaks out at a home harboring deadly predators. 56 9 incidents. Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes Authorities have confiscated constrictor snakes, along with other dangerous reptiles such as venomous snakes and alligators, from individuals who keep these animals in violation of state laws and local 57 ordinances. Some constrictor snakes have been seized during drug raids. 29 incidents. 2 | Page constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes May 13, 2013/Napa, California: A teen reaching for her alarm clock was bitten on the hand by a 3-foot boa constrictor that had found its way into her family’s ATTACKS apartment. It was unknown where the snake came from. The teen was treated at a Four babies sleeping in their hospital for a bite wound and panic attack. Animal control was called in and retrieved the snake from under her bed.1,2 cribs, as well as three other children have been squeezed to October 31, 2010/West Jordan, Utah: A 15-foot, 140-pound Burmese python death by large constrictor brought to a Halloween party to entertain children attacked a 10-year-old boy. The snakes. Youngsters have been child’s shirt was covered with blood and he suffered bite wounds to the face, chin, attacked while playing in their 3 and under the ear. yards, compressed to the point June 27, 2010/Hope, Indiana: A 1-year-old boy was bitten on the hand by a 4-foot of unconsciousness, nearly pet boa constrictor who escaped from a cage and was hiding in a dresser drawer. blinded when bitten in the 4 The snake had been on the loose for a few days. face, and suffered numerous other painful, traumatic, and July 1, 2009/Sumter County, Florida: A 2-year-old girl was killed in her crib by an disfiguring injuries. 8½-foot Burmese python who escaped from an enclosure in her home. Weighing only 13 pounds, the snake was determined to be severely underweight. The snake had been purchased seven years earlier at a flea market. The child’s mother and her boyfriend were convicted of third degree murder, manslaughter and child neglect and sentenced to 12 years in prison.5,6,7 January 21, 2009/Las Vegas, Nevada: A 3-year-old boy was bitten and squeezed to the point of unconsciousness by an 18-foot reticulated python that the family was taking care of for a friend. It took six police officers, an animal control officer and the mother, who stabbed the snake with a kitchen knife, to free the child. The child had “light brown stuff” coming from his mouth and his face turned blue. As the mother began CPR, the injured snake then wrapped around her waist. The toddler was hospitalized overnight. The snake had been in the home for four to six weeks and had somehow gotten loose. The snake was euthanized. The parents were charged with felony child abuse and ultimately entered a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge.8,9,10 August 30, 2008/Las Vegas, Nevada: A 13-year-old girl visiting her father was attacked by a pet Burmese python while she was sleeping in a bed. Responding to the commotion, her father and uncle were unable to uncoil the snake. They decapitated the approximately 15-foot snake with a butcher knife to rescue the girl. The teenager was hospitalized overnight with bruised ribs and a swollen abdomen. The snake reportedly escaped from a large tank with locks. The same day, a student zookeeper in Venezuela was crushed to death by a Burmese python.11,12 December 14, 2007/Gurnee, Illinois: A family filed a $50,000 lawsuit against Serpent Safari alleging their 2-year-old boy contracted salmonella after petting an albino Burmese python at the store. The child was hospitalized three days after being “allowed and encouraged” to handle the snake. A caregiver also became infected.13 3 | Page constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes April 3, 2007/Miami, Florida: A 3-year-old boy was bitten in the face by a 6-foot boa “The baby’s dead. constrictor when posing with the snake for a photograph at a theme park, and was taken to a hospital for treatment.14 Our stupid snake got January 12, 2007/Lynn, Massachusetts: A teenager making lemonade started out in the middle of screaming after he was bitten on the toe by a 2½-foot albino python who was hiding under the dishwasher in his kitchen. It is unknown where the snake came from. The the night and family called police who took the snake, described as a type of python that can 15 strangled the baby.” reach 10-feet in length, to a local animal hospital. Florida man in a frantic June 2006/Belmar, New Jersey: A 16-year-old high school student sustained 911 call after finding the puncture wounds and bruising after she was bitten on the forearm by a 5-foot boa constrictor kept in a classroom.