Not all monsters exist only around Halloween. Some stalk humans when they least expect it. 🐍 In 2024 three separate women in Indonesia were k*lled by large pythons. Two were swallowed whole and one partially. Yes. Being atta*ked and consumed by an animal is a primal human fear. From the time we were swinging from branches to the time we stood up and looked around in the tall grass, humankind has contended with the fact that we are on the menu. Death by nonvenomous snake is uncommon and horrifying. No native US snake can swallow an adult human, but invasive Burmese pythons have established themselves in Florida thanks in part to escaped or released pets. Thank you Florida Man. Indonesia enters the chat. The stories: -7 June 2024 — Farida, 45. A mother of four disappeared. Villagers killed a 16-foot python with a swollen abdomen and found her body inside, still clothed. -3 July 2024 — Siriati, 36. A mother of five disappeared. Her husband found her belongings near a large python. Villagers killed it and discovered her body inside. -15 August 2024 — Maga, 74. Her daughter found her body after she disappeared. Villagers killed a 13–15-foot python nearby. According to local officials, it had partially swallowed her before regurgitating her. I recently wrote about humans versus lions, bears, sharks and now snakes. Snakes creep me out. It’s that old primal instinct that can return even when we live in places where sharks or giant snakes are nowhere to be found. I’ll stay out of the deep forests and jungles for now on. Internet photo of a reticulated python, around the size of the three discussed above. 🐍