Cop Saves Woman in Python's Death Grip

Victim believed new pet's venom sacks had been removed

(NEWSER) - A New Jersey man who went shopping for pet snakes over the weekend ended up in critical condition after a snake bite. The 25-year-old reptile fan was hospitalized after a bite from an albino cobra, which he had bought along with a diamondback rattlesnake and a copperhead snake, MSNBC reports. More»

(NEWSER) - A gang of young British toughs armed with snakes used a python to bite a teen they pinned to a wall, reports the Guardian. The 14-year-old boy is recovering with two puncture wounds in his hand. He suffered breathing difficulties, but paramedics say that was due to panic and not to any venom from the snake, which they believe was a python, based on the boy's description and consultation with the Bristol zoo. Police are hunting for the gang. More»

(NEWSER) - A 2-year-old Florida girl was strangled to death yesterday by a pet python owned by her mother’s boyfriend, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Charles Darnell noticed that his 8-foot-long albino Burmese python had escaped from its aquarium when he awoke yesterday morning. He found it on top of the girl in her bedroom and immediately began stabbing it. More»

Doc used snake in bid to sway games

(NEWSER) - South African animal welfare officials have confiscated a "magic" snake that was being used with an eye toward swaying the outcome of World Cup matches. The 9-foot rock python was found in poor condition at the home of a traditional doctor, who had been accepting payment from people seeking to use the snake to contact their ancestors and urge them to help their chosen team. It's not clear which teams the snake was supporting, the BBC notes. More»

Cops pry animal from owner's neck

(NEWSER) - A suburban Omaha man was strangled by his pet boa constrictor in his home as he was showing off the snake to a friend. Cory Byrne, 34, died in a local hospital just hours after cops and paramedics pried the 9-foot snake from his neck. The snake is being held by the Nebraska Human Society and may be released to a zoo or sanctuary, reports AP . More»