I don't think it was going after a human, just a human hand. It probably thought it was a rat. My local pet store always lays a pillow case over the heads of the large snakes so they can't see anything. Once they are picked up they usually behave.

I saw the interview on TV. The woman took all the blame. She said she probably had rat smell on her. The snake lost some teeth when they pried the mouth open.

a 12 foot berm probably wouldnt be able to eat a person. humans have big bulbous heads and broad square shoulders. these are really not conducive to whole swallowing. it would be easier to put down a deer 50% larger than a human than a human just because there arent as many places to get snagged. that doesnt mean a snake in feeding mode isnt going to try...... theres a vid on youtube of a large python regurging a young hippo.....

also I agree that it was going for the hand. which probably seemed much more managable.

__________________
0.0.1 - Jack, Ghost corn, never sexed, but its a He darnit
1.0.0 - Neo, Columbian Redtail Boa. Currently in time out for attitude problems!

I don't think I'd call the cop a hero necessarily. There are other ways of getting a snake to let go rather than prying it's mouth open. It's decent of the woman to take responsibility, though.

Maybe someone will read this and think twice about getting a burmese python. (we can hope, right?)

__________________
"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.