Snake wrangler Mike Kimmel thought he was a goner when he grabbed a 17-foot python by the tail and the huge serpent reared up ...

The python's head was as big as a garden spade, lunging at hunter once, twice, before sinking its recurved teeth into his arm.

A Des Moines resident reported seeing a large python slithering around her neighborhood last month. So far, searches for the reptile have not been successful.