Kozhikode Locals, Forest Team Capture Python After It Swallows 1 Pet Cat in Coop

Q: If a chicken coop failed to stop a python, what common household feature might be its next open door?

The most likely next “open door” is any small ground-level gap into the house or garage, especially around doors, vents, pipes, or windows. The Koyilandy case shows that an Indian Rock Python does not need a dramatic opening; it exploits existing weaknesses while following prey. Experts note these snakes are drawn to places with rodents, poultry, pets, moisture, and cover. That means a home’s most vulnerable features are often ordinary ones: a worn garage-door seal, an uncovered dryer or HVAC vent, a gap under an exterior door, unsealed plumbing or cable entry points, a torn window screen, or even an uncapped chimney. In practical terms, the garage is often the easiest next target because it combines shelter, darkness, and frequent gaps at floor level. Utility rooms, basements, and crawl spaces are also common risk points if vents or pipe openings are not screened. If pet food, birdseed, or rodents are present, the attraction increases. The lesson from the coop incident is that barriers alone are not enough if they are not tightly sealed. Wildlife and snake-management guidance in Kerala stresses cutting grass, clearing debris, controlling rodents, and sealing cracks and crevices with mesh or durable fillers. If a large snake is spotted, residents should avoid handling it and contact trained rescuers or the Forest Department.

3 articles · Updated · Asianet Newsable · Jun 13

A giant python was captured in Koyilandy, Kozhikode, after swallowing a resident's pet cat whole inside a chicken coop and becoming too bloated to move.
Ajayakumar had shut the cat in the coop at night to protect it from stray dogs, but the snake got inside and attacked the animal instead of the chickens.
Neighbourhood residents and Forest Department staff then removed the motionless python, ending the unusual rescue operation in the coop.