Herp Report: Things that make you go Hurm... Part 1

Sometimes you're just left shaking your head wondering what the hell some people are thinking. This week had a huge selection of those stories. I promise I did not make any of these stories up -- and none are from the Weekly World News. First up from nzherald.co.nz:

A Kiwi is facing a string of charges after allegedly threatening police with a large snake during a bizarre stand-off on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The man, reportedly from Masterton, was arrested after police claimed he threatened them with the 1.5 metre-long snake at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in Maroochydore on Saturday.

Yep, he threatened cops with a carpet python. Perhaps he was hoping they would be stunned by their beauty? Now, I understand more people list the fear of snakes than any other fear, but really, you need to aim a bit better. From the Daytona Beach News Journal:

Deputies were called out to the man's West Volusia home about 4 p.m. Thursday after receiving a report a man, later identified as Garrett Bauernschmidt, had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Susan Williams, the man's caretaker, told authorities she had arrived at the home and found a large water moccasin lying near the front door. Bauernschmidt retrieved his .38-caliber handgun and shot one round of birdshot at the snake, but missed, according to a report from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Williams told deputies the man was manipulating the safety to enable the second chamber when the gun discharged.

And the snake lived another day completely unharmed. Lastly, a toilet is no where for any animal let alone a Bearded Dragon. From the BBC:

The owner of a bearded dragon dumped in a white bag in the toilets of an Edinburgh supermarket is being sought by animal welfare officers. The adult male reptile was found in Morrisons on Pilton Drive in the men's toilets on Sunday. He is now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA's Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

There are places you can leave your animals, no matter what kind, if you can no longer care for them