Pythons and Boa Constrictors

[Some people actually LIKE snakes and even keep them as pets. Here are some little known factoids about them. You can see photos of our resident ball python (Indy) and boa constrictor (Harley) on the Paw Prints Photo pages.]

• Pythons (like boas) are constrictors. They squeeze their victims hard enough to stop the breathing.
• Just because you weigh 200 pounds doesn't mean you can't be swallowed by a python. Records show that a 200-pound black bear was swallowed by a regal python.
• Pythons eat leopards
• Each animal has a familiar name and a technical name. Both for its genus and its species. But only two animals have the same name to cover all these categories: the boa constrictor and the gorilla. (In fact, the mountain variety of what you and I call a gorilla is identified scientifically as a "gorilla gorilla gorilla.")
• Most snakes breathe in waltz time.
• No snake is a vegetarian.
• X-ray a live snake and you'll kill it.
• Snakes can't back up.