27/11/2007
While many children might wish to curl up with a dog or cat, a young Cambodian boy prefers to spend his time with a 6-metre-long python.
In the village of Sit Tbow, 50 kilometres east of Phnom Penh, Sambath Uon, seven, reportedly refuses to go to sleep without the company of his pet, Chamreun, or Lucky, in Khmer.
Usually it's a cuddly teddy bear or a favourite action figure that kids need before they can get to bed. But not for Cambodian six-year-old Sambath Uon; he needs "Lucky", his trusty six-metre long python, before he can sleep.
The snake slithered into town in 2000, when Sambath was just a few months old.
While the boy's father tried to return the snake to the forest three times, the Burmese python loyally returned to her young master and has earned the acceptance of villagers, who think she brings good fortune.
"I love the python like my sister," Sambath said.
The affection appears to be mutual, despite the fact that pythons are typically afraid of people and avoid humans if at all possible.
One of the world's largest snakes, the Burmese python, which is found throughout Southeast Asia, can grow up to 8 metres long and weigh up to 180 kg. Females like Lucky are typically longer than males.
"All my friends are jealous of her."
Sambath first encountered the snake when he was three-months-old, and Lucky was only 50cm.
His parents didn't like to see Lucky with Sambath, and tried to take him back into the forest three times - to which Lucky would keep returning to his child owner.
Sambath's mother, Kim Kanara, said: "We would find it asleep next to Sambath. They have slept together every night for the past six years."
"She is a member of the family now. We shelter, feed, bathe and even pray to her."
The python is even considered to have magical healing powers.
"Some recovered from sickness after being blessed by her," Mrs Kanara added.
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While many children might wish to curl up with a dog or cat, a young Cambodian boy prefers to spend his time with a 6-metre-long python.
In the village of Sit Tbow, 50 kilometres east of Phnom Penh, Sambath Uon, seven, reportedly refuses to go to sleep without the company of his pet, Chamreun, or Lucky, in Khmer.
Usually it's a cuddly teddy bear or a favourite action figure that kids need before they can get to bed. But not for Cambodian six-year-old Sambath Uon; he needs "Lucky", his trusty six-metre long python, before he can sleep.
The snake slithered into town in 2000, when Sambath was just a few months old.
While the boy's father tried to return the snake to the forest three times, the Burmese python loyally returned to her young master and has earned the acceptance of villagers, who think she brings good fortune.
"I love the python like my sister," Sambath said.
The affection appears to be mutual, despite the fact that pythons are typically afraid of people and avoid humans if at all possible.
One of the world's largest snakes, the Burmese python, which is found throughout Southeast Asia, can grow up to 8 metres long and weigh up to 180 kg. Females like Lucky are typically longer than males.
"All my friends are jealous of her."
Sambath first encountered the snake when he was three-months-old, and Lucky was only 50cm.
His parents didn't like to see Lucky with Sambath, and tried to take him back into the forest three times - to which Lucky would keep returning to his child owner.
Sambath's mother, Kim Kanara, said: "We would find it asleep next to Sambath. They have slept together every night for the past six years."
"She is a member of the family now. We shelter, feed, bathe and even pray to her."
The python is even considered to have magical healing powers.
"Some recovered from sickness after being blessed by her," Mrs Kanara added.
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