30.11.2007
by Sally Peck
 While
many children might wish to curl up with a dog or cat, a
young Cambodian boy prefers to spend his time with a 4.8-metre-long
python.
In the village of Sit Tbow, 50 kilometres east of Phnom
Penh, Sambath Uon, seven, reportedly refuses to go to sleep
without the company of his pet, Chamreun, or Lucky, in Khmer.
The snake slithered into town in 2000, when Sambath was
just a few months old.
While the boy's father tried to return the snake to the
forest three times, the Burmese python loyally returned
to her young master and has earned the acceptance of villagers,
who think she brings good fortune.
Young Sambath said of his faithful companion: "I love
the python like my sister."
The affection appears to be mutual, despite the fact that
pythons are typically afraid of people and avoid humans
if at all possible.
One of the world's largest snakes, the Burmese python, which
is found throughout Southeast Asia, can grow up to 8 metres
long and weigh up to 180 kg. Females like Lucky are typically
longer than males.
While its attractive skin patterns and colours have made
the Burmese python popular with the fashion industry and
reptile keepers, they make unpredictable pets.
The python's seemingly docile nature conceals the snake's
true power; Lucky would be capable of inflicting fierce
bites or easily killing a human by constriction.
Courtesy - SNNI |