EXPRESS-ADVOCATE (Gosford, Australia) 10 January 11 Scales meet scales as Atomic Betty the giant python snake weighs in (Alicia McCumstie)

Keepers at the Australian Reptile Park had their hands full when they attempted what can only be described as a whopper of a weigh-in.

Every year keepers at the popular tourist attraction take up the challenging task of weighing one of the park’s heaviest residents, Atomic Betty.

Atomic Betty is a 6.5m reticulated python, the longest snakes in the world and the only species capable of swallowing a human. When it comes to eating, the scaly lady doesn’t mind something she can wrap her jaws around, with the reptile regularly feasting on goats weighing up to 25kg.

“Atomic Betty is one of our most popular attractions at the park,” marketing manager Libby Bain said.

It took five keepers 30 minutes to complete the catch, bag and weigh the 12-year-old, who last year tipped the scales at 131kg, a full 11kg heavier than the previous year. After a few wrestles staff managed to complete the task, with the python weighing an impressive 135kg.

“Atomic Betty is fully grown now, so to only put on a few kilograms this year is perfectly normal,” Ms Bain said.

Atomic Betty was imported from the US in 2001 as a young adult and on top of being a park favourite with tourists, she has also enjoyed a few moments in the spotlight, featuring on the Channel 10 series Bondi Vet last year.
Scales meet scales as Atomic Betty the giant python snake weighs in

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