Giant pythons being discovered in a small creek in Indiana’s Brown and Monroe Counties is fake news. There is no truth to a story claiming that giant pythons were discovered in an Indiana creek. Rather, the story originated on a “prank” web site.
Many Python species are popular to keep as pets due to their ease of care, docile temperament, and vibrant colors, with some rare mutations having been sold for several thousands of dollars.
Despite controversy that has arisen from media reports, with proper safety procedures pet pythons are relatively safe to own, and deaths associated with them are isolated compared to other domestic animals, such as dogs and horses.
Where did this fake news originate? Snopes noted that what was being shared on Facebook was a link to what social media users believed was a genuine news item reporting that giant pythons were discovered in Salt Creek, a tributary of the White River in Indiana, fooled many in July 2017.
However, the link leads to the web site BreakingNews247.net, which is a prank web site that allows users to easily create their own fake news stories.
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The web site carries a disclaimer stating that its content is fictional and meant to be humorous:
This website is an entertainment website, news are created by users. These are humourous news, fantasy, fictional, that should not be seriously taken or as a source of information.
In addition to the dubious source of this story, the attached photograph actually shows a 15-foot python on a nature reserve in Kenya, Africa — nowhere near Indiana.
What did you think of the fake news about giant pythons being found in Indiana? Did you believe it or see people sharing it falsely on social media? Let us know in the comments section.
Photo Credit: Source