It’s common for many people to fear snakes.
Even though scientists have proven that the fear of snakes is taught rather than inherent, it is still understandable. People fear what they don’t know.
Are pythons dangerous to humans? Most pythons are not dangerous to humans. There are a few exceptions with some of the larger species like reticulated pythons, but even then we see few reported fatalities. That being said, some risks to humans can be associated with pythons such as infection from bites, spread of disease and environmental concerns.
Pythons That Can Eat You Are The Most Dangerous
Contrary to popular belief, most species of pythons are way too small to eat a human. Even a baby human.
Many people think of monstrous 30 foot long snakes when they think of pythons. The truth is, most are under 10 feet in length and are not very dangerous.
There are a few species however, which really are big enough to eat you!
- Reticulated Python – As the worlds longest snake, the reticulated python has been known to grow to over 30 feet in length. More than long enough to eat a human! The biggest one we know of can be found in a zoo in Indonesia. It is reported to be nearly 49 feet long, and weigh an astounding 900 pounds!
- Rock Python – These snakes commonly grow to over 20 feet in length, and can weigh more than 200 pounds. A very powerful, thick bodied snake large enough to take on a human.
- Burmese Python – This is another very large python, often growing to lengths over 20 feet. Like the rock python, these snakes are heavy bodied and can weigh over 100 pounds.
- Indian Python – Though smaller than the previous three, the Indian python still grows large enough for humans to be potential prey. They have been known to grow up to 15 feet in length, and weigh over 100 pounds.
Dangers From Python Bites
The biggest potential risk to humans stems from python bites.
Constrictors kill their prey by squeezing them, but most still have a mouth full of razor sharp teeth in order to grab and hold onto their prey.
Two major risks stem from the bites of these snakes.
The first is that the teeth can penetrate the skin deeply enough to sever a vein or artery. While possible, this is unlikely. The number one cause of snake bites is from handling them however, and your wrist is an easy target.
Likewise, a strike to the face could end up hitting your neck and lacerating the jugular vein. Again, unlikely but possible.
The second, and more probable risk, is that a bite becomes infected. Infections from animal bites are caused by the bacteria in their mouth entering the blood stream when the skin is penetrated.
This can usually be prevented with antibiotics, but many people don’t seek medical attention for a bite that doesn’t require stitches, thus putting themselves at risk.
Additional Dangers From Pythons
The dangers listed above can be life threatening.
More often than not however, you are at risk of injury rather than death.
True Story
I knew a person who got a female red-tailed boa as his first snake. She was somewhere in the range of five to six feet in length.
Like many amateurs, he purchased the snake at a pet store, and it was wild caught. The snake was pretty calm and docile, and he’d never had any problem with it.
One day he let his 12 year old son hold it, and the snake bit the boy in the face. The bite was so bad and so deep that it required 22 stitches.
It turns out the snake had internal parasites, and was sick. Sick snakes can often times become aggressive.
Here’s my point: This was a pet snake which wasn’t even very large (relatively speaking). One bite was enough for a trip to the hospital and 22 stitches!
A python bite doesn’t have to be life threatening for it to be dangerous.
Poor Pet Husbandry Causes Python Risks
Pythons are the most widely kept snake in North America. Out of necessity, most pet owners keep their snake in a warm, wet environment.
Add to this the fact that the pet defecates in the enclosure, and either kills or eats pre-killed food in that same enclosure, and you have a recipe for health risks.
Spores from mold and fungi travel through the air. Besides being inhaled, they can also land on surfaces outside of the cage.
This exposes you to a wide range of health issues.
Of course this is easily preventable by maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. It is still a danger associated with pythons.
Cross Contamination From Pythons Can Be Dangerous
The definition of cross contamination is the process of transferring bacteria or microorganisms from one object to another.
When you handle a snake, you are basically putting your hands on everything that snake has touched.
Saliva gets in the water bowl as it drinks. It then lays in that water bowl, getting the bacteria and microorganisms on its skin. Snakes often times defecate in the water as well. And if they don’t, they are still coming in contact with their waste when they slither around their enclosure.
Anything that the prey had on its body when it was eaten by the snake, can also be transferred.
Every time you touch the snake, you are also transferring all of those things to your self.
Again this is easily preventable. However, keeping a clean cage isn’t enough.
You should also wash your hands and arms after handling any snake. If it was in contact with your clothes, you should change and wash them as well.
Dangers From Handling A Python
Another risk associated with pythons happens when you handle them.
Many people like to allow their snake to perch on their shoulders. Even a moderately sized snake of six feet or so, is more than capable of wrapping around your neck and strangling you.
Think it can’t happen?
Just as recently as October 2019, a woman in Indiana was found dead with her 8 foot long python wrapped around her neck. An autopsy report showed that she was strangled.
Pythons are almost entirely muscle.
If one wraps around your neck, cutting off not only your breathing, but also blood flow to your brain, you have somewhere around 1-2 minutes to free yourself before you pass out.
Clearly this does not happen often, or else you wouldn’t see people carrying snakes around on their shoulder, but the risk is still very real.
Are Pythons Venomous?
I actually see this question a lot from people. You don’t know until you ask, right?
Are pythons venomous? No, pythons are not venomous. Pythons are a group of snakes known as Pythonidae, which are from Africa, Asia and Australia. Some species, such as the green tree python, have large teeth and fangs, but this is to hold onto prey, not to inject venom. Pythons kill prey by constriction. They do not have venom glands.
The number one defense a python has is their bite, which they will definitely use if they feel threatened. And as I described earlier, the bite can be pretty painful. The bite itself is not intended to kill however.
Other Risks From Pythons
I’d say the number one risk posed by pythons isn’t to humans, it’s to their pets.
A dog or a cat looks like a perfect meal to a snake that feeds on mammals.
If a python were to wrap around one of your other pets, there is little chance that you would be able to get it off before the pet died.
The Risk Goes Beyond A Direct Danger To Humans.
Pythons are not native to North America. Unfortunately many irresponsible pet owners have released their snakes into the wild.
Places like Florida are having a very real problem with snakes like Burmese pythons overtaking local wildlife and disrupting the ecosystem. This is leading to a decline in many native animal species.
Non-native snakes disrupt the food chain.
Not only do they consume more animals than are naturally reproduced, but they also make it harder for local predators to find food.
Any risk to the local ecosystem is a risk to humans.
Summary
As you have seen, the potential for pythons to be dangerous to humans is very real.
Most of these dangers are also very easily preventable.
I have personally bred and raised reptiles, including pythons, for many years. I have never had a life threatening incident with any of my reptiles, nor have any other responsible keepers who I have personally known.
If you don’t own a pet python, the threat of danger is pretty much nonexistent.
If you do own one, good husbandry practices and responsible pet ownership will typically be enough to keep you and those around you safe.
To learn about raising captive snakes of your own, check out our care guide section!