Remembering PRONY! The Giant Python in Bohol, Philippines

CARE TO TOUCH THIS PYTHON? I bet you.. DO!!!

Her name is Prony. I saw her when she was small. I attended her “Quinceañera.” I also witnessed when she transferred to her new home in Baclayon, Philippines.

That’s how important this “woman” to me that I witnessed her life. But sad to say, she died last (August 14, 2013).

Yes, she’s Prony (Python reticulates), the world's largest and biggest python in captivity found in Bohol, Philippines. People called her “The Anaconda of Bohol.”

A visit to Bohol, Philippines is not complete without Prony which is considered as one of the most important tourist attractions in the province of Bohol.

It was on October 21, 1996 when Prony was found by Sofronio Salibay which measured 5 feet and 5 kilograms at that time. In 2012, Prony weighed 280 kilos and measured 27 feet long. Her waist line was 34 inches .

Animal and snake experts said that the growth of Prony is abnormal as pythons which live in the wild with the same sizes are already 50 years old comparing to Prony who is only 15 years old.

"Prony is a self-developed and trained Python found in the Philippines," shares JingJing Salibay, caretaker of Prony.

Prony is a very choosy snake! They fed Prony live chickens before but due to her large consumption and the cost of chickens, they fed her with virgin dogs. However, the animal rights activities protested the feeding of dogs. From then on, the Salibay decided to give her two goats or one white pig, and they must be live during feeding time or Prony will just snub them. After eating, Prony can sleep for the whole month!

Prony is a superstar as Filipino celebrities like Kris Aquino, Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid and Hollywood celebrities like coach Freddie Roach, Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields went to see her.

“Life must go on,” says JingJing. “She is like a daughter and I know her characteristic. She is the only snake which has human feelings.”

I will be missing Prony. She will be remembered forever as an important part of the magic web of life.