Well to start things out I must first start by saying that the reticulated pythons do not easily, frequently, or commonly reach 30 ft. To believe that the average length is dictated by the world record would mean one also believes that all humans will attain 7ft, because the world record for a human being is in excess of 8ft. Most often if you want to comprehend the average adult size, you can divide the record length in half and reach a good approximation. Most of the retics in captivity average between 14-18ft in length.
To grow a retic in excess of 20 ft, means a good deal of food, time, and caging to get it there. Even out of the numerous members here on the KS retic forum, there are not to many who own a retic over the 20ft mark.
In addressing the human consumption issue,,, Yes, it has happened but it is very rare and involved an adult person of small stature and build. There are falsified pictures abound on the internet, most of us(retic keepers) have seen them at some point. In order to comprehend the swallowing of a human, one must first understand key factors which allow the consumption of large prey items.
Phyisological structure plays heavily into what can be swallowed. Rats, rabbits, goats and pigs all have an elliptical shape which allows consumption. Narrow anterior tapering to the widest portion and then narrowing again. Legs that lay back naturally along the body cavity and do not rotate away. In effect the shape creates a funneled form allowing the snake to crawl "around" the prey, and the prey to be "funneled" down the snakes throat.
Humans in their upright design complicate matters with the broadness of the shoulders, centered on which is the head. Humans in effect become inverted triangles when the legs are held together. A very difficult object to get down head first. The head may go, but the shoulders loose & relaxed will be extremely hard to coordinate.
Snakes choose to swallow prey headfirst, using scent and thermal detection they make a choice to begin there, so to get them to take your feet would involve deliberate intent. Specimens become very accustomed to how and what food is by smell, so that as well must be figured into the equation of "being eaten". I have been mistakely bitten by hungry specimens only to be let go upon realization that I am not short,furry,hoppy or long eared.
So in order for a snake to eat an adult it would need to be very large, and either have to start at the feet (which would have to be held/bound together) or have the shoulders compressed tightly. Both of these options would involve deliberate action and as such make this "accidental mishap" a murder.
SO why do we keep these..... Beauty, intrigue, fascination. What drives a person to "keep" anything?.
For many it is simply the unsurpassed beauty of the retic amoung the reptile world. Pattern and irridescense is second to none amoung the large Boidae. They are very intelligent snakes, species with which one can actually feel as though a relationship has been established. Some of us breed them so as others do not have to deal with the Wild Caught specimens that contributed so heavily to this species stereotypes.
As always you have the showoff who thinks he/she is macho/cool by owning a large snake, but you have that with all groups of collectors and hobbyists. Dogs, cars, guns, etc...
Safety comes first through knowledge. Some people will never own retics, and that is fine. Retics are not a snake that fit everybody. A person owing a retic must be honest with him/herself and his/her capabilities.
Many of the pets we(society) own today no longer serve the purpose they were specifically bred for. Dogs, cats, horses, goats, etc... are owned for the same reasons people choose to own retics, anacondas, AFR's, etc....because the person chooses to like them. Not because there is any real justified need in doing so.
Horses kill more people annually in the US then constrictor snakes. Dogs severely injure more people on a monthly basis then do snakes nationally on an annual basis. Dogs can kill a person and not just the Pitts,Rotts, etc... Cats can detrimentally infect pregnant women and their unborn fetus. Not only that there have been cases of dogs and cats eating the owner after he or she has died and not been found quickly enough. The bond the person had to that mammal could not overide that animals need to survive.
More human on human bites occur nationally on a weekly basis in childcare than one might realize. These are bites which do break the skin barrier, though bleeding may not occur, by children. Children who could POTENTIALLY carry some communicable illness, capable of infecting others. Terrible potential when compared to the realively clean bite of a non-venomous snake, but I think the point is made. Oh, and I do not dislike children in any way.
ANYTHING WITH A MOUTH AND TEETH CAN BITE AND POTENTIAL FOR DEATH IS ALMOST ALWAYS A FACTOR WITH ANYTHING WE DO IF WE CHOOSE TO LOOK FOR IT.
Anyways, I hope in some manner I have helped to answer the questions presented here and not come off as condescending.
Notah
