Tremblay said the African rock python, about 4.3 meters (14f) long and 45kg (100lb) in weight, had been kept inside the second-floor apartment, not inside the pet store as authorities had previously stated. Tremblay said the snake was housed in a large glass enclosure that reached the ceiling of the apartment. It escaped through a small hole in the ceiling connected to the ventilation system. He said the snake made its way through the ventilation system and moved towards the living room, where the boys were sleeping. The pipe collapsed and the snake fell into the room.
Steve Benteau, a spokesman for the provincial natural resources department, said no permit was issued for an African rock python and provincial authorities had not been aware it was being kept at the apartment. The department said the species was generally only permitted in accredited zoos unless there was a special permit.
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Snake experts said it was possible that the python was spooked and simply clung to whatever it landed on through reflex. Others speculated that the snake picked up on scents that were on the boys from playing with other animals that day. Family spokesman Dave Rose, the boys' great-uncle, said the brothers had spent Monday at Savoie's family farm and played with different animals before staying over at the apartment.
Paul Goulet, founder and co-owner of Little Ray's Reptile Zoo in Ottawa, said snakes did not recognise humans as a source of food but if the children smelled like animals it could explain an attack.
"If a snake sees an animal moving, giving off heat and smells like a goat, what is it? It's a goat," said Ottawa reptile zoo owner Paul Goulet said. "The reasonable explanation of how this has happened is that they had been playing with farm animals, they did smell like their prey items and the snake sadly enough mistook them as a food item when they weren't."
