Reader question: “I was wondering if pythons are poisonous snakes and therefore dangerous to humans? Anything you can tell me about this subject would be helpful. I am doing a school report on the different types of pythons, and whether or not they are dangerous is a big part of my report. Thanks in advance.”
In a hurry? Here’s the general idea of this article in 100 words or less. All pythons are non-venomous, and most of them pose no threat to humans. But a handful of species do grow large enough to constrict and kill their owners. These include the reticulated and Burmese pythons, along with a few other species. If you want to keep a member of the Pythonidae family as a pet, you might consider the more manageable ball python.
Burmese python captured in the Florida Everglades. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey (enlarge)
The first thing we need to do is distinguish between the terms “poisonous” and “venomous.” Technically, they are two different things (and pythons are neither).
- Poisonous — Something that harms you when you ingest it through eating or drinking. Poisonous mushrooms fall into this category, as do many household cleaners and insecticides. If you ingest them, you will become ill and possibly die.
- Venomous — Something that harms you when it bites or stings you (like a rattlesnake, a jellyfish, or a black widow spider).
Pythons are not poisonous or venomous. They do not meet either of these definitions.
Pythons Are Not Venomous
Pythons are members of the Pythonidae family of snakes. There are about 26 different species within this family. The ball python, one of the most popular snakes in the pet trade, is a member of this family. The world’s longest snake, the reticulated python, is also part of the Pythonidae family.
All of the species within this family are non-venomous. This means they do not possess any venom that is harmful to humans. They kill their prey through constriction, literally by squeezing the animal to death. Venomous snakes, on the other hand, kill their prey by biting and injecting venom through hollow fangs or teeth.
Interestingly enough, scientists have discovered that pythons (and many snakes for that matter) have the remnants of a venom delivery system. They all go back to a common ancestor species, supposedly. But no, pythons are not poisonous / venomous in any way that could harm humans. They kill their prey by slowly squeezing it to death. They are constrictors.
The Larger Pythons Can Be Dangerous to Humans
I’ve divided this article into two parts because you are asking two different questions:
- Are pythons venomous? We’ve answered this one. No, they are not.
- Are pythons dangerous to humans? They certainly can be!
Certain python species are potentially dangerous to humans. But it’s not because they are venomous. It’s because they are so large and powerful. They can quite literally squeeze a human to death, and there are plenty of documented cases to support this. Here are two examples:
In 2013, an African rock python (one of the largest snake species in the world) killed two young boys in Canada after escaping from its enclosure. Here is a link to the CNN story:
In 2009, in Florida, a two-year-old girl was constricted and killed by an eight-foot-long Burmese python while sleeping in her crib. This is another massive snake that could potentially be dangerous to humans, as shown by this tragic story. Here is a link to the story:
These are not the only instances of captive pythons attacking humans. A Google search on this subject will produce even more results. The bottom line is that the larger snakes within the Pythonidae family are potentially dangerous to humans. They are large enough to overpower and constrict their owners.
Potentially dangerous species within this family include:
- African rock pythons
- Amethystine Pythons
- Burmese pythons
- Indian pythons
- Reticulated pythons (arguably the most dangerous due to its size)
All of these powerful constrictors, and also the green anaconda, can grow larger enough to pose a serious threat to humans. So while they are not venomous, they are still potentially dangerous when kept as pets.
Consider Keeping One of the Smaller Species
If you would like to keep a member of the Pythonidae family as a pet, you might want to consider the following species:
- Ball python — These snakes are generally docile and easy to handle. They don’t get large enough to pose a threat of constriction. They rarely grow larger than 5 – 6 ft (152 – 182 cm). The average adult size is even smaller than that.
- Blood python — These snakes are not for beginners, but they are generally safe to keep as pets. They can deliver a nasty bite, like any other python, but they do not grow large enough to be dangerous to humans. They grow slightly larger than ball pythons and are thick, heavily built snakes. But they are not large enough to constrict an adult human.
- Children’s python — These snakes do not get their name because they are recommended for children. They are actually named after English zoologist John George Children. Adults grow to an average length of around 3 ft (1 m) and rarely exceed 5 ft (1.5 m). Due to their relatively small size (and the fact that they are non-venomous like all pythons), these snakes are not considered dangerous to humans.
Other Safety Considerations
Reptile can pose a health threat in other ways as well. Snakes, lizards and turtles can transfer salmonella and other harmful bacteria to their owners. This typically occurs when proper cleaning and handling procedures are neglected. The risk of bacterial transmission can be greatly reduced, if not completely eliminated, with common-sense cleaning and handling techniques.
Always wash your hands before and after handling a pet snake. Keep cages, water bowls and other cage “furniture” clean at all times. Keep pet reptiles away from kitchens and food-storage / food-preparation areas. Use caution when allowing children to handle a pet reptile, and make sure they wash their hands afterward. Common sense is the best defense.
Disclaimer: Large pythons can be dangerous to humans. The news stories cited above, and many like them, clearly show the risks associated with keeping and handling these powerful snakes. We generally do not recommend large constrictors as pets. The risks are too high, especially when children or infants are brought into the equation. This information has been provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute one-on-one advice.