Deadly Exotic Pets: African Rock Pythons Are More Dangerous Than the Burmese Python

"It got me by the nose, baby."

-Steve Masek on Animal Planet (as he tries to pry the African Rock Python off of his nose)

Exotic pets may be interesting to look at, but they don't make nice playmates.

On August 5, 2013, an African Rock Python escaped its enclosure from the Reptile Ocean exotic pet store. It slithered up through the ventilation system into the owner's apartment. Two young boys - ages 5 and 7 - were playing in the apartment, and were crushed to death by the snake during their sleepover. The town of Campbellton, New Brunswick (Canada) is devastated at the news.

Typical Diet of African Rock Pythons

African Rock Pythons typically feed on monkeys, antelopes, and warthogs. If in dire straits, they will resort to taking on crocodiles. Their diet in residential areas have been noted as dogs, goats, birds, and rats. They will also attack small children.

An Experts Says...

An expert herpetologist, Kenneth Krysko, commented on African Rock Pythons in a National Geographic article in 2009, pointing out that the African Rock Pythons are so vicious that they come right out of the egg striking at anything.

Even the store owner at the Reptile Ocean exotic pet store said the snake was vicious. He personally pinned and caged the snake, and said that no one typically handles this snake because of its aggressiveness.

In the Wild, Pythons are a Nuisance

Pythons may be nice to look at behind glass, but in the wild, they pose a threat to natural wildlife.

Florida has been battling pythons since they have invaded the Everglades. It is suspected that they were first introduced to the Florida Everglades when exotic pet owners released their pets into the wild, interrupting the natural ecosystem.

Police captured a 14 ft. Burmese python on August 05, 2013 in southern Florida, as a resident was cleaning out his shed.

Florida experts say that African Rock Pythons are even more dangerous than Burmese pythons, because of their aggressiveness.

The longest Burmese Python found on record in Florida was almost 19 ft. long.

Animal Plant Featured Man-Eating "Super Snake"

The week of May 20-27 2013, cable channel Animal Planet aired a special "Devoured: Man-Eating Super Snake Returns."

In this special, a snake expert from Florida - Steve Masek - was on the hunt for a 9 ft. Burmese python under the pretense that it had the taste of humans on its tongue.

Steve Masek captured the snake, but somehow the snake freed itself from its cage in transport back to the Calusa Nature Center. This snake was very aggressive, and even latched on to Steve Masek's face. This was all caught on film (see video below).

Steve Masek then had to pry the snakes mouth off of his face as it sunk its fangs into his nose.

It took another person to assist Steve from being choked to death. He was able to get his hands up to prevent the snake from constricting his throat, as the other person worked to loosen the snake's grip on Steve's body.

Watch a YouTube clip of this terrifying event below.