Wildlife influencer comes close to losing a wrestling match to a 19-foot reticulated python
Wildlife influencer Mike Holston, known online as The Real Tarzann, wrestled a 19-foot reticulated python and came close to being trapped by it. The encounter matters because the snake began wrapping around his arm and legs, and Holston said he was losing the fight.
Holston, who has a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, said it was his toughest battle with a snake and that his skills were no match for the python’s “black belt in the jungle”. He eventually flipped the snake over and freed himself, later saying he had come closer than he had in a long time to being fully wrapped up. The article does not say what safety measures or assistance were available.
- A 19-foot python wrapped around Mike Holston’s arm and legs.
- Holston said he was losing the fight.
- He flipped the snake over and escaped.
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Reticulated pythons are large snakes found in South-east Asia. They kill prey by coiling around it and squeezing, so being caught in a coil can put a person at serious risk.
Mike Holston, known online as The Real Tarzann, is a wildlife influencer who posts about animals. He has also trained in jiu-jitsu, a martial art that includes grappling, but experience in the sport does not remove the dangers of handling a powerful wild animal. The encounter highlights the risks involved when people interact closely with large snakes.