Philadelphia Weirdness

Snakes On The Loose!

In March 2008 it was reported that two unusual creatures had been seen in Bristol, PA, causing alarm among locals who live in the neighborhood. The Delaware River town was seemingly overrun with large, out of place snakes, thought to be pythons. Police attempted to track down the beasts, commenting that one measured nine feet in length, and was an albino python, while the other was a twelve foot long animal, possibly a Burmese python, and that both might have escaped from a private collection or been released into the wild on purpose.

After several thorough searches, police unearthed the albino critter, but the Philadelphia Inquirer believed that the snake still on the loose had been responsible for the disappearance of several kittens in the town situated a few miles upstream from Philadelphia. Locals were in a panic, claiming to have seen a snake very dark in colour that was rumoured to have found residence under a house in the neighborhood, although searches proved fruitless. Cameras had been installed in the hope of tracking the monster.

A local man named Mr. Kile said he encountered the snake whilst searching his crawlspace for his missing cat, and then heard the hissing horror. It was spotted relaxing in a children's wading pool. Such reptiles can reach up to twenty-three feet in length and inhabit parts of Asia, and are also known as Indian pythons. Snakes are certainly one of the most commonly sighted exotic animals when it comes to appearing in places they shouldn't!

With regards to the US, it is believed that many such snakes established themselves in South Florida after an influx of collections which then outgrew their owners, who opted for the simple solution and released their pets into the wild. Bristol animal control officer Bill Kurko stated that this specific animal is not dangerous; such pythons will hiss and strike if threatened, but their bite is neither venomous or dangerous.

So, the next time you visit the toilet....!

Image Credit: Flickr user Jami Dwyer