The reticulated python, which could have been the longest snake in the world, has died. Just like other animals that had died under human care, mishandling could have caused the snake's demise.
The 26-foot-long snake died three days after laying an egg and being captured by Malaysian officials. Its mysterious death has spurred controversy, especially among animal lovers, who are asking if the snake was handled improperly of if it had a mysterious ailment?
Lost Battle
The snake apparently lost both its chances to be awarded the title and its life. The sudden death of the animal has been deemed to be caused by humans' excitement over discovering a one-of-a-kind animal.
This adds up to other recent animal deaths, including a dolphin that died after tourists snapped selfies with it by the shore.
Malaysia's Civil Defense Force public relations officer, Shazree Mustapha, said the snake died on its own, adding that the snake may have committed suicide or felt threatened so it killed itself.
Snakes Don't Kill Themselves
Experts, however, dropped the claim that the snake died on its own, especially after seeing photos and videos of the snake. The construction workers had their share of the snake's fame after they posed for a photo with a noose around its neck. It was also kept in an office for hours where it was fed and was given water.
In a video posted online, a person who was part of the team that captured the python was seen kicking it. The snake was carried by several men to showcase its length, but this may have caused stress to the animal, too.
Snakes do not kill themselves and a python that size could have died due to internal injuries, Raymond Hoser, who is an expert snake handler, and the one who gave reticulated pythons their scientific name, Broghammerus reticulatus, explained.
"Snakes don't just drop dead. If they die there is a reason," Hoser said.
All Points To Mishandling
The injuries obtained by the snake may have been sustained during the capture or after being caught since snakes are delicate and vulnerable animals. Nooses cause injuries to snakes because this can cause the reptiles to struggle resulting in broken bones and even internal bleeding.
Another reason that might have caused the snake's death is a blockage caused by a lodged egg. It's a little weird that the python had laid just one egg since a snake that size can easily lay 75 eggs at one time.
The snake could have one egg lodged inside the body during capture. Snakes have two oviducts or where the eggs pass, but when one egg is lodged, it might block the other eggs.
This results to various health problems including death, in some cases. An animal autopsy could provide the answer to these questions and would shed light on the real cause of its death.
Photo: Mohammed Alnaser | Flickr
