Police hunt python thief identifiable by forearm puncture wounds

Police are warning the Melbourne public to be wary of a man selling cheap tropical pythons, whose stolen loot may have turned on him.

CCTV footage shows the man blundering around the pet shop, smashing glass cabinets and putting snakes in a hessian bag.

But he may have bitten off more than he can chew, with the recording showing a particularly vicious 1.8m olive python sinking its fangs into the robber's arm.

Staff at the pet store targeted are able to see the funny side.

Peter Jockovich said: "I was in hysterics, knowing the snake had bitten me before, it was pretty funny."

In total, 27 rare snakes worth $10,000 in total slipped away.