Boy attacked by 'rock python'

by **gaboon** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:02 pm

November 01 2006 at 03:02PM
An Eastern Cape boy is lucky to be alive after he was grabbed by what appears to have been a Lesser African rock python, Dispatch Online reported on Wednesday.

It quoted nine-year-old Luvo Gwedanaeal as saying on Tuesday he and two friends were rounding up cattle at Kubusie village near Stutterheim when the reptile struck.

"Everything just happened quickly. I kicked something in the veld that I thought was cow dung and seconds later felt heat all over my body," he said.

"It was coming from the biggest snake I've ever seen in my life."

'It was coming from the biggest snake I've ever seen in my life'
The snake coiled around his legs.

"I wanted to cry, but I was afraid that the snake might hurt me so I kept dead still. It seemed like it was wrapping around my body and coming towards my head," Luvo said.

"It was hot and heavy and I was sweating. I was afraid to even look at it, I just heard it breathing. I kept my arms up around my head to protect my face."

One of his friends, Athenkosi Ngalo, 14, began hitting the snake.

"I started beating the snake like crazy. I was afraid Luvo would be killed."

'I started beating the snake like crazy'
After what seemed like 30 minutes, the snake suddenly relaxed its grip and dropped to the ground with a loud hiss.

Luvo said: "I was left standing only in my underpants. I left my trousers and shoes behind, and we ran to the village. ."

King William's Town snake collector Morne Venter said the boy probably survived because of the beating the snake received from Athenkosi.

Herpetologist Ian du Plessis said the snake was either a Lesser African rock python or a constrictor from another continent that had possibly escaped from its owner. - Sapa

by **Bushviper** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:15 pm

Yeah right some herpetologist he is. An escaped retic in Kubusie village. Bulldust. Why not just call it a Natal Rock Python. Wonder where he got his degree in herpetology?

It sounds like the kid should have rather left his underpants and taken his shoes and clothes.

All the time the kid was standing up straight. For 30 minutes? Must be the beetroot and lemon diet.

by **Sean** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:18 pm

ya and they went back the next day to find someones kreepy krawly had escaped from the pool and tried 2 swallow the kid.

by **Mongoose** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:19 pm

ILuvo syrup! :-)

by **Dead_puppy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:45 pm

I wish we could see some pics, that would be hillarious!!!

by **Bushbaby** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:08 pm

Why did he only have his underpants on?? Why would it be an escaped constrictor?? Why in a village of all places. I agree with BV. Bulldust!! I would like to get hold of this Ian what's his face and ask him where he studied to become such a specialist in determining that a snake could have escaped in a village.

Atleast it seems that the snake is still alive and well.

by **Dead_puppy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:59 pm

"I could hear it breathing" HAHAHAHA LMAO
You guys must admit his story has potential!

by **phish** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:14 pm

I would like to get hold of this Ian what's his face and ask him where he studied to become such a specialist in determining that a snake could have escaped in a village.

hmmm, I guess because the species was considered extinct in the Eastern Cape. Although most reptile books will list the afrock as occurring there the last confirmed specimen from that area was in the 1930's or something?

Thats what i heard ... maybe someone can confirm/dispute that?

by **bugs** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:42 pm

I know Morne Venter and can tell u guys that he has caught Afrocks in that area. I personally have com across them in buffalo pass just outside East londen. why cant it be an escaped exotic. Been out on snake calls where I collcted various escapees that did not belong there.

by **Bushbaby** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:50 pm

What's the chances that it's going to be an escapee in a village?? Where there are sheep herders??? In town yes, in a built up are, possibly, but in a rural area, where it is least possible. I SERIOUSLY doubt it!!

by **Mongoose** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:06 pm

I get the feeling that some people have been smoking good stuffs! Maybe they were burning sugar caine or something like that and singing iLovo sugar..

by **bugs** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:08 pm

Snakes get around my friend. Oddest case I know of was when a friend was asked to iID a white snake killed on the N1 between Springfontein and Trompsburg in the Freestate that turned out to be a 2.5m albino burm. Straner things have happenend

by **Bushbaby** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:12 pm

I know snakes do get around, but the chances that it was an exotic is say.... 1 / 100. If it were in a built up area the chances would be bigger. That's all I'm saying.

by **bugs** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:15 pm

Hear what you are saying. unlikely but not impossible...

by **Irock** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:27 pm

It is interesting that a bite wasn't mentioned...big snake like that would've left quite a decent bite methinks... :?:

All contrictors I have ever seen latch onto their prey before they starting wrapping around it to constrict...I seriously doubt even a large snake would manage to wrap around squirming,struggling prey as large as a kid without latching onto it first....

Another thing, I don't think I would just calmly stand still if such a huge snake was slowly coiling around me... lol

Boy attacked by 'rock python'

Boy attacked by 'rock python'

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