Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First of all, I'm not out to offend anyone, or bother anyone. I'm sincerely curious, and would really like to know the answers to these questions.

Is there any recorded instance of anyone feeding a human body to a Burmese python, like a guy who killed someone and wanted rid of the body? Or even letting the snake kill and eat the person?

Second, I recently read about a large burmese dying from old age. What does one do with a snake that large once it is dead? My guess was bury it, but I really don't know.

Yes, strange questions but hey, nothing wrong with being curious. To my knowledge, there are no recordings of burmese pythons eating a human (although, I am sure it has happened in their natural geographic range where there are a number of tribal folks who live in some of the remote areas of S.E. Asia). There are plenty of recorded incidents of burms killing people; primarily irresponsible owners but few if any recordings of wild burms killing people. For the most part, even a 20' burm would have a hard time eating a small child much less an adult.

>>First of all, I'm not out to offend anyone, or bother anyone. I'm sincerely curious, and would really like to know the answers to these questions.
>>
>>Is there any recorded instance of anyone feeding a human body to a Burmese python, like a guy who killed someone and wanted rid of the body? Or even letting the snake kill and eat the person?
>>
>>Second, I recently read about a large burmese dying from old age. What does one do with a snake that large once it is dead? My guess was bury it, but I really don't know.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I posted this Q on the retic and anaconda boards, and what you said (that they probably couldn't eat an adult human) seems to be the consensus. I guess I got carried away after reading about large pythons eating gazelles, and anacondas pulling deer off the banks of rivers and so on. But thanks - I appreciate it.

Also to add would be that when any pet dies, large or small, your veterinary clinic will have it cremated or put you in contact with the crematorium they use. Even a large snake would fit in the oven, but can you imagine a horse? Occasionally even that's done but they (puke) have to cut it up and do it in peices.

I was tossing around the idea of taking my burm to a taxodermist(mispelled) to either have him skined or stuffed to pose around the house somewhere in the den or something. Once he dies of corse.
Is something that people do or...?
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

Taxidermists can mount snakes (gets pricey and be sure to get a highly skilled taxidermist) though generally (with reptiles) they prefer to get a very lifelike plastic model and paint it to order. Or simply tan and mount the hide flat for wall hanging. That gets into possible uses for snake skin which I'll avoid getting into right now...

Catch is, the taxidermied snake won't look like your pet. Even if done well.

There's also the possibility of donating the body to a museum for it to be mounted or preserved for education or reference. Which would require calling around, but it'd be worth it.

I don't know what I'd do. Aside from bawling my eyes out...
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0.2 chickens (Falcon & Condor)
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave, Lucy & Amy)
0.1 Halflinger horse (Crissy)
0.0 Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (coming soon)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

There was a thread a while back where I stated my opinion that it would be unlikely that a python could swallow an adult human (average size) because of the difficuly in getting past the shoulders and it was debated by a few others.

>>Yes, strange questions but hey, nothing wrong with being curious. To my knowledge, there are no recordings of burmese pythons eating a human (although, I am sure it has happened in their natural geographic range where there are a number of tribal folks who live in some of the remote areas of S.E. Asia). There are plenty of recorded incidents of burms killing people; primarily irresponsible owners but few if any recordings of wild burms killing people. For the most part, even a 20' burm would have a hard time eating a small child much less an adult.
>>
>>>>First of all, I'm not out to offend anyone, or bother anyone. I'm sincerely curious, and would really like to know the answers to these questions.
>>>>
>>>>Is there any recorded instance of anyone feeding a human body to a Burmese python, like a guy who killed someone and wanted rid of the body? Or even letting the snake kill and eat the person?
>>>>
>>>>Second, I recently read about a large burmese dying from old age. What does one do with a snake that large once it is dead? My guess was bury it, but I really don't know.
>>-----
>>Rob Carmichael, Curator
>>The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
>>Lake Forest, IL