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16-Foot Python Devours Family Pet In Front Of Horrified Kids

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It was a nightmare that happened right before the eyes of two crying and stunned children - they watched in horror as their beloved family pet was eaten whole by a 16-foot python.

The terrible incident happened in the city of Kuranda in Queensland state Monday, as experts claim the serpent apparently 'stalked' the creature for several days. The kids were at their home playing with their five-year-old terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed when the snake struck.

It slithered into view, opened its mouth and devoured the small creature whole as the 5 year-old boy and 7-year-old girl screamed for help. Experts were finally called but it was too late.

"The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it," explains Stuart Douglas of the Australian Venom Zoo. "They should have called me then, but (the snake) got away and three or four days later, I was called and went around and removed it" after the dog had been killed.

The family tried and failed to stop the horrible tragedy as it was happening. "The lady who was there threw some plastic chairs at the snake, but you've got to remember that this is about 50 kilograms of aggressive muscle," points out zoo manager Todd Rose.

Douglas notes snakes are common in the tropical region but generally subsist on wild animals such as wallabies. They do occasionally turn to small pets in urban areas and this kind of incident - while rare - has happened before.

By the time he arrived, all that could be seen of the poor animal was its hind legs and tail. Unlike other snakes, it's not a python's bite that's lethal. It literally squeezes its prey to death before swallowing it whole. Herpetologists claim the dog would have suffocated within a few minutes of being devoured.

The snake was still digesting its tragic meal on Wednesday, after authorities took it away from the scene. They expect to release it back into the wild soon.