Meet Atomic Betty the 21stone python who is so big it takes SIX people to hold her for annual weigh in

Deadly: The reticulated python weighed in at more than 21 stone - an increase of 4.5lb from last year

It took at team of eight zookeepers to capture the 21-foot python

Slippery customer: Atomic Betty eats four or five dead goats weighing around 25kg each year

It took eight zookeepers to capture Betty for her annual health check at the attraction where she weighed in at 306lb - more than 21 stone.

And operations manager Tim Faulkner said she doesn't take too kindly to being put on the scales.

He said: 'Atomic Betty is probably hands down the most dangerous animal at the park.

'We've got 16.5ft crocodiles and the most venomous snakes in the world but she's the most dangerous.'

Smile: Carers said 14-year-old Atomic Betty is still showing 'steady growth'

Careful: The zookeepers do their best to avoid Atomic Betty's razor sharp teeth and vice-like grip

'In the wild they feed on large mammals so really it's the only snake in the world considered a true man-eater.

'She doesn’t like to be caught, and she’s an aggressive girl, so our keepers take extreme care.

'One day each year we capture her and have a bit of fun but the serious aspect is that we can give her a proper physical examination. It is the only way we can weigh her.'

Reptiles show very little outward sign of sickness so weighing them is essential for detecting any health problems.

The reticulated python, which is found in Southeast Asia and can grow up to 26ft, will take its prey by surprise with its sharp teeth before killing it by constricting and suffocating or bursting blood cells.

Mr Faulkner added: 'In the wild she would eat anything from alligators and monitor lizards through to anything warm blooded.

'She has quite a few really dangerous elements, one is that she is a constrictor so if she got a coil around one of the keepers she would squeeze really tight.

'Even though we’d be able to get her off she might crush ribs in the process.

'But what is more scary than that is her teeth. They’re made for gripping on and not coming off. They’re backward facing, serrated and incredibly sharp.'