New pics of Bristol snake that ate cat
New photos show the sheer size and power of Squash, the 13ft, 80kg Burmese python that killed and ate a pet cat in a Bristol garden.
The 10-year-old snake swallowed four-year-old tabby Wilbur on June 25 after the cat ventured into its domain.
But Darren Bishop, who has had Squash since she was a six-week old baby, says he is a responsible owner.
A scan of the python confirmed that there was a micro-chipped animal inside, and an RSPCA inspector issued Mr Bishop with a verbal warning.
Now Wilbur's owners, Martin and Helen Wadey, are fighting for the law to be changed so that snakes are officially classified as dangerous animals and for owners to require a licence for them.
A petition they set up on the 10 Downing Street website has already attracted more than 3,700 signatures after the incident made headlines worldwide.
Mr Bishop, a 35-year-old excavator driver, keeps his huge pet in a large tank in his home in Upper Sandhurst Road, Brislington, and when he lets her out into his garden he keeps an eye on her every 10 minutes.
But his vigilance wasn't enough to stop Squash crushing, asphyxiating and eating Wilbur.
Mr and Mrs Wadey think the python could have been hunting their beloved pet. But Mr Bishop says the cat must have made the first move.
Whoever struck first, these photos clearly show that Wilbur never stood a chance.
The Burmese python, a constrictor, is one of the six largest snakes in the world and is native to the rainforests of South-East Asia.
At 13ft long Squash is an adult, and could continue to get bigger throughout her life. But she could still have a long way to go.
A Burmese python at a serpent safari park in America was measured at 27ft in 2005, weighing in at 183kg – more than twice the weight of an average man. Like all snakes Burmese pythons are carnivorous, with a diet consisting mainly of birds and mammals.
Exceptionally large pythons may require very large animals for their diet, such as pigs or goats. Some Burmese pythons in Florida have even been know to attack alligators.
Burmese pythons are typically afraid of humans and generally avoid them, but because of their large size could easily overpower and kill an adult.
In July, a two-year-old girl was crushed to death in Florida by an 8ft Burmese python.
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by darren, bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 11:36PM
“Vern- the one man walking advert for no age limit on abortion!
¿Louise, I cant speak for Xavier but personally I dont hang around many idiots in real life.¿
You¿re probably telling the truth, but, all of your friends hang around at least one!!
¿And as for your last comment. Someone compared Darren to a drink driver. He knows the risk to others. He knows it may not happen. yet he still goes ahead and does it.
Is this not the same?¿
No! The drink-drive risk is scientifically proven. My risk is all made up in your head.
¿he knows it can get out over the fence. He knows its basic instinct is to kill anything that would be the right size to eat.¿
1) SCENT is the most important factor, not size. She doesn¿t recognize humans, no matter what size, as prey.
2) A child is not even the right size and she knows she cannot eat one. Probably the reason she¿s never attacked one of the many young kids she¿s been handled by.
¿And he still lets it out only checking on it every 10 minutes. And it has escaped before.¿
She escaped from her vivarium and the house, while we were both out, 5 or 6 years ago. Within 1 hour of getting home and checking the house and OTHER PEOPLES GARDENS, the Police and RSPCA been informed as had 40-50 houses that had a garden in some way linked to ours. YOU SEEM TO THINK I WOULD JUST SHRUG MY SHOULDERS AND HOPE SHE RETURNS ONE DAY!!
¿Does your stupidity hold no bounds? Do you think a snake just has a nibble at the prey? They move fast. they have to to catch rabbits, pigs, goats, rats and indeed cats. very fast. it may lumber along to save energy but when it wants and it needs to it move and strikes fast.¿
Pythons do NOT move fast to ¿CATCH¿ prey. They are ambush-(look it up) predators. They wait for prey to come close enough to strike. The fastest moving snake is a Black Mamba because of its long slender body and light weight, most people can out-walk it. The bigger and heavier the snake, the slower it moves, unless in water. That¿s why the heaviest snake, the Green Anaconda, lives in water. IMBECILE!!
¿a child, indeed an adult could be bitten and crushed to death quickly.¿
A human has a big advantage over the prey of a Python. We have hands with opposable thumbs-(I know you¿re still waiting for you thumbs) though. We can unravel a snakes coils, certainly for long enough for help to arrive. The 2-3yr old killed in Florida was asleep and would not have fought back until too late. Also, an 8¿ Python could not eat that child, not even mine could so, would only have killed for food, if the strong scent of prey was in the room, in which case it would trust scent over size.
¿Even child know how a snake such as this kills. How come you dont?¿
YEAH, try n answer that one then!!!
¿Sam, of course there arent many stories of escaped snakes eating children.¿
THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED CASES OF EATING A CHILD!!!
¿snake owners have come on here saying how reckless he is for leaving a snake outside. Darren, the owner just ignores them.¿
Oh really, What snake owners? And do you think I can¿t spot a Faux ¿snake owner¿ a mile away?
¿If there were more stupid and anti-social snake owners like Darren then there would have been some stories I am sure!¿
You should get your facts straight, before being so sure of anything. I would say the apex of stupidity is being so sure of something you don¿t have any knowledge of.
¿Thank goodness people like Darren are few and far between!¿
Such a shame people like you aren¿t so few and far between.
¿So not only is it possible that a fair sized child could be killed it is perfectly possible that they could be eaten (based on it being a large snake- although they can get to 18')¿
Although no child has been eaten and no person outside of the Python¿s home has been killed¿EVER!
18 feet is not large for this snake and they can far exceed that. 30+ feet is closer to the mark.
Where do you get your facts from?
Vern, Oxford Dic”
by darren, bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:09PM
“I never realised all of these know-nothing, what I think must be true snake experts would still be giving their opinions on this story.
Mike (1 cat but 2 p-uss-y-s) Ford,
¿if that was my cat all hell would be unleashed.¿
Cool, bring it round and we¿ll find out!
¿Now I am not saying kill the snake (the owner maybe).¿
The cat will be enough thanks!
¿You literally CANNOT put any case for keeping it unsecured in public.¿
Public? You mean my garden! How about¿. Pest control!!
¿I'd love to punch 'Squeezer' up there or whatever it is called.¿
Let me know when. Don¿t forget to bring your cat, I¿ll look after it, honestly!
¿and tell that to Becca and Krystal who declared their love for me on here on Friday.¿
Becca and Krystal¿ More commonly known as¿ Left hand, Right hand!
Next time show some respect¿I was almost your Dad¿. Fortunately the guy stood behind me had the right change!
Mike (0 cats but still 1 p-uss-y Ford), a legend in his own Y-fronts!”
by Mark, Bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 3:47PM
“"Whoever struck first, these photos clearly show that Wilbur never stood a chance"
What a silly comment. The cat would have had every chance to get away, or, not even get involved!
I wouldn't stand a chance against a grizzly bear, so I wouldnt go and be near enough to one to endanger myself.
Curious cat was curious...”
by peter pan, Neverland
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:36AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973 you are something that sounds like hunt but starts with a capital C. you need to grow up you childish P**** and stop playing your imaginary games.”
by john, bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:35AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, mr pink is rite big man hid behind that pc t**.”
by Mr.Pink, Cafe
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:16AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973.. Big man over a PC i see, must be due to your very tiny Manhood!!!
Come read my fortune son, whilst your here we can measure you up for a coffin.... Just a thought
Cheers maggot c * * *”
by Rolf Harris, Animal hospital
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:10AM
“@Ambassador Londo Mollari, Babylon 5 ..Nobody likes a smartasss!!! Get a life Ambassador of c * * * more like.
@A mum, get off your fat behind, stop watching jeremy kyle and get a job.....”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 7:27AM
“I realise what a pleasure it must be for you to converse with a legend such as myself, something you would'nt get to do in your normal boring life, but, if you EVER speak to me like that again, I'll come round your house and read you your fortune. Do you understand, you maggot?
Good.”
by John, bristol
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 7:22AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973, YOU W*****”
by diane, bishopsworth
Monday, August 17 2009, 10:01PM
“Martin i think you are missing the whole point here. whether it killed a cat or not a 12ft python should not on any circumstances be allowed loose in a garden”