Video of reticulated python in India goes viral

A massive python has been spotted tied by its neck to a fence post in a shed in disturbing footage that has been uploaded on social media.

A massive python has been spotted tied by its neck to a fence post in a shed in disturbing footage that has been uploaded on social media.

A Reddit user shared the video writing that the snake had been spotted in India.

Associate professor Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland identified the species to news.com.au as a “reticulated python” describing it as “non-venomous”.

He said he was “saddened by the animal abuse”.

Reticulated pythons are one of the largest snakes found in India and among the largest in the world.

Director and principal ecologist of WILD Conservation Kane Durrant told news.com.au they can reach a total length of about 8m.

He noted they were “not entirely rare in South East Asia but have suffered decline due to anthropogenic pressures”.

“The interaction in the video is not an isolated incident in this part of the world as the snakes are frequently pursued for their skin and meat as well as destroyed out of fear that livestock or even people may disappear if the giant snake is let live.”

Mr Durrant speculated the python may have recently eaten a goat or cow.

The massive python was seen inside an enclosure. Picture: Reddit / u/Mael2830

The footage of the python was uploaded on social media. Picture: Reddit / u/Mael2830

He acknowledged that people generally associate size with fear, “the bigger something is, the more dangerous it may be” but cautioned against such an approach.

“Where toxins like venom are considered, size plays no part,” he said.

Mr Durrant said many eastern brown snakes and red bellied blacks found in Australia are about 1m to 1.5m in length and are as dangerously venomous as anything thought to be toxic.

The reticulated python is listed as of “least concern” on the IUCN Red List because of its wide distribution. The list is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological species.

Like all pythons, it is non-venomous. But adult humans have been killed, and in at least two reported cases, eaten, by reticulated pythons.

Reddit users were enthralled by the footage.

One person joked it was a “dinosaur” and described the video as “insane”.

“Probably has an entire crocodile in its stomach,” the person joked.

“Holy hell that’s a big unit,” another wrote.

Another noted that while “venomous animals are rather small” in Australia this isn’t the case in other countries”.

“The reason India has such a high volume of human population is related to why there are so many interesting species there as well.”

[e-mail]