Prony: The Largest Captive Reticulated Python in the Philippines
An Unusual Pet
Named after its owner "Sofronio", "Prony" is considered the largest captive reticulated python in the Philippines. She was captured on October 21, 1996 with a length of 5 feet at 5 kilos. As of 2005 she was measured at 23 feet with a 30-inch girth and weighing 200 kilograms. Experts claim that Prony's growth is abnormally fast since pythons in the wild with comparable size are already 40 to 50 years old. Prony is only 9 years old and, with proper care, possibly may even live up to 120 years.
Essentially in her natural environment, Prony is kept within a forested area in the town of Albur about 12 kilometers from the capital Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Her owner and caretakers contend that her abnormal growth was brought about by the loving way Prony is treated. They consider Prony as part of the family and even talk to her. She is given a bath 4 times a day and they even celebrate her birthday every year. Initially, they fed Prony live chickens.
Now she is fed a pig or a goat every month. Prony has an uncanny ability of being able to sense unsuitable food such as a sick pig. No matter how hungry she is, she won't eat it. She will only eat live prey and is very picky. She doesn't like dirty, spotted or dark pigs. She only likes clean white pigs weighing at least 40 to 50 kilos. Caretakers know that it is time to feed her when she becomes restless. Usually she just spends the day coiled up in a corner.
Prony's owners have opened their gates to the public because of the increasing number of curious local and foreign visitors who want to see her. Visiting Koreans once mistakenly named her the Philippine Anaconda. They are raising 5 more captured pythons and are slowly setting up their own mini zoo. They have added a black crow, a pair of owls, king fishers, herons and a wild cat to their growing collection. They charge 10 cents per head as entrance fee to help in the cost of feeding the animals specially Prony.
Published by Elise Easterbrook
A simple lady who still believes in happy endings. View profile
- Foraging: The World of Wild Edible FoodBackground information on foraging for wild edible plants, the varieties and uses in nature, and how we can use them in cooking and preservation.
- Wild Montana Outdoor Adventures for WomenWhile vacations in these wild areas of the state have traditionally been marketed to men, today, many women are experiencing the wild for themselves on their own terms.
Wild Animal Tips for CampersRespect is the keyword while camping - remember - you're in someone else's territory. Wild animals don't usually attack people, but they can and they will, if you don't follow c...- How to Plan a Wild Outdoor Honeymoon Near San Francisco, CaliforniaTips to help you plan an outdoor wild San Francisco honeymoon.
- The Difference Between Wild and Feral HorsesThere are quite a few wild populations of horses an burros still around in the western United States.
- Strange News of the Week: February 25, 2008
- 'Shrek the Third' Brings in $122 Million in Opening Weekend
- Belrad Universe: February 25, 2008 - Transcript
- What Happens when an Actor Dies While Shooting a Movie
- Girls Gone Wild: Creator Joe Francis Pled Guilty
- How to Plan a Wild Outdoor Summer Honeymoon Near Merced, California
- Wild World of Baseball's National League
16 Comments
Post a Commentwe visit prony last august this year but she looks small from the pictures...maybe the owner change the snake...pity for those live animals eaten by this snake the next victim will be human...
Someone please provide a photo of the snake
some said prony died last year...
Prony is never dead we visited her yesterday, Prony never ate her boss nor other tourist. I touched her with a picture.. I never believe that prony is dead and dangerous.
Jeff Corwin, you crazy brat you are just saying that prony is dead because you dont like her at all and you are like a supervisor keep telling any tourist false information
Bitchy you???
guys, sorry for the wrong image. i don't know why this photo appears on this article, it should be on my other article (about my grandpa's dog) . i also don't know what happened to the image of prony that's supposed to appear on this article.
c prony pala ay isang dog? :)
oh really? she's dead? then how come my officemate went to Bohol just this March and was still able to see Prony and have their picture taken with the python?
We visited Prony last week. She is still alive though hasn't eaten in 2 months. The owner said she is due to moult soon. She let us in the cage and while I petted Prony I couldn't get the film image of JLo in "Anaconda" and how quickly that big monster could move. Luckily Prony stayed calm.
BUT THE REAL SHOW is the Bakla (Gay) lip sync dancer who is related to Pronys owner. He dresses like a woman with a sarong and make up and will give a speech about the snake and then do a show for the audience if they seem like they are cool. We were treated to a rendition of "A Hero Lies in You" on the jungle stage next to Prony. He/she finished the performance by HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM THE RAFTERS while lip syncing. I laughed until I cried. My wife and I were so entertained we forgot all about the snake!
that snake is now dead, prony eats the owner. too bad!
puede butangan ug daghang pictures ni PRONY??gnhan lng mi makakita..mytag makabuhi bah,.heheheh