Local rescued after being bitten by python he was trying to catch

A foolhardy local was rescued after he was bitten by a reticulated python that he tried to catch on his own.

Nisit Chaipha, 51, had tried to wrangle the 10ft long beast on his own when he spotted it lurking inside a water pipe at his friend's house in Chonburi, Thailand, on June 29.

However, the large serpent retaliated and sank its fangs into his right wrist as he tried to grab it.

Medics later arrived to give the bleeding man first aid before taking him to a hospital.

Snake catchers also dragged the python out of the pipe and released it into its natural habitat.

Homeowner and Nisit's friend, Sudjai Bamrungjit, 50, said: 'Nisit had tried to catch the python using his bare hands. I tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen to me so he was bitten. He's lucky it wasn't a venomous snake.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.