Defense Against Animals: 14 Foot Python in Backyard Oklahoma

Ammoland ^ | 25 June, 2016 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

A snake this large is a clear and present danger to pets and small children.  While most snakes can be dispatched with a shovel or hoe, I would not want to attempt that with this python.  It might take offense.

A firearm is a stand off weapon that allows you to apply deadly force at a distance.  A picture with the article shows the python was shot in the head, killing it quickly and humanely.

The snake was a surprise for the teen who discovered it. From kfor.com:

“I come outside, and the snake is literally slithering in our yard, and I’m like ‘Oh, no, this is a dream.’ So, I shut the door and open it back up, and it’s for sure not a dream. So, I go tell my dad,” Lara said.

It wasn’t just any snake either but a 14-foot-long python.

“My dad was like ‘Hey, just go get the shovel’ and I was like ‘No, we need the gun. Like, this is a huge snake.’ I didn’t know how long it was at the time, but I knew it was big enough to eat someone, you know,” Lara said.

Lara and his dad shot and buried the snake, something Lara said they felt they had to do with several small kids living in the area.

“This is why we built the fence, for creatures not to get in and for them to actually play safe, and seeing that here is just scary,” Lara said.

[marktwain]

A python will not survive an Oklahoma winter in the wild. It is a tropical animal.

[Vendome]

That what I was thinking.

Someone let this thing loose.

[mad_as_he$$]

Never underestimate reptile ability to find shelter that will allow them to survive.

[PUGACHEV]

A even a large snake’s brain is quite small. Simply shooting it in the head, unless you are using a shotgun, might miss the brain, simply enraging the snake who is now going to direct his full attention to you.

[umgud]

That thing would feed a lot of poor folks.

[Carriage Hill]

Always check your toilet before you sit down...

[Tax-chick]

Fiesta de culebra! Paco, buy more beer!

[PROCON]

:-)

[reg45]

And make a whole bunch of wallets, and boots.

[Rapscallion]

Still it should be open season in all states 24/7 with a bounty on any python.
Do your research on what has happened in the Florida Everglades. You will agree.

[mad_as_he$$]

lol..prime directive!

[oldasrocks]

In Missouri he would go to jail. It’s illegal to kill a snake.

[mad_as_he$$]

Interesting. So lawyers/politicians are “safe”?

[bert]

I camped in the Collier State park that is adjacent to the National wild life preserve that is adjacent to the Everglades National Park

I attended the evening ranger nature presentation that described the local flora and fauna.

After it was over and the ranger was packing her projector and stuff I asked about pythons in the park. She looked up and put her finger to her lips “sushssh..... we don’t talk about ‘em”

As you traverse the Tamiami trail on the south side, the vegetation is so intense a human can’t walk through it much less hunt and find pythons.

[GenXteacher]

Looks like a job for a Colt Python.

[CincyRichieRich]

Tastes like chicken?

[marktwain]

So I have heard.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Many years ago a gator escaped the gator pond at the Tulsa zoo and just disappeared.
Several years later he was found, fat and sassy feeding off ducks in a local pond. Cold weather did not stop him or even slow him down.

And the TULSA area can get really REALLY cold in winter! I believe a Python could find an area to survive in, possibly under someone’s floor in the crawl space.
Which is why, when I crawl under the house to work on plumbing I always shine a light looking for little beady eyes in the dark corners.

[jimbug]

It would feed a John Deere lawn and garden tractor real good.

[jimbug]

I always shine a light looking for little beady eyes in the dark corners.

I used to do that too until my mother-in-law died.