Jun. 25 - A young Cambodian boy and a 6 metre long python have become inseperable friends.
Some forty kilometres outside of Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, the giant female python has more or less been adopted by a local family.
She has been living with the family for the past six years and 6-year-old Sambath Uon has become especially attached to her.
Since the snake's arrival, Sambath's mother has prayed for it to remain in their home as she believes it has brought luck to her family.
Symbolically, the python has been named Chomreun, which means lucky in Khmer. The family says it cannot imagine life without Chomreun.
They shelter, feed, bathe and even pray to it sometimes.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri reports
SOUNDBITE: Kim Kanara, Sambath's mother saying, (Khmer):
"Some people come here and ask for holy water from the python and some recovered from their sickness."
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