Houdini, the Ketchum area's world-famous snake, will be the star of a program segment on The Learning Channel that is tentatively set to air in mid-February.
The six-part series is about unusual medical cases, both human and animal, said Maria Gavin, a segment producer for LMNO Productions in Los Angeles, the company that is producing the series for TLC.
Houdini, a 12-foot-long Burmese python, qualified for the series because last summer he had a queen-size electric blanket, which he'd swallowed, surgically removed from his stomach. Houdini came to the attention of LMNO Productions and TLC because of the worldwide media attention the blanket-eating incident created.
The story was first reported in the Idaho Mountain Express. After it was picked up by The Associated Press, it was reported by news outlets across the globe.
A film crew was in the Ketchum area on Oct. 25. Shooting was done at Houdini owner Karl Beznoska's home north of Ketchum, at St. Francis Pet Clinic in Ketchum, where veterinarians Karsten Fostvedt and Barry Rathfon removed the blanket from Houdini's stomach last summer, and at Pioneer Montessori School, where Houdini made his first public appearance following his unusual surgery.
Beznoska said Houdini, who has made previous appearances before groups of school children, was well behaved as usual at Pioneer Montessori, in Ketchum.
"He was just really mellow, and they could pet him on the head," said Beznoska. "The kids were really nice, and they just had so much fun that they hated to see me pack him up again."
In appreciation of the visit, 13 youngsters wrote letters and drew pictures of Houdini. The letters were mailed to "Karl and Houdini Beznoska."
"Dear Karl, thank you for bringing Houdini. I liked holding his tail," wrote 3-year-old Emma Desserault.
"Dear Karl, thank you for bringing your snake. We love Houdini," wrote 5-year-old Wil Hebert.
"Dear Karl, thank you for bringing Houdini. I liked it when he wrapped his tail around the light," wrote 4-year-old Tallula Gilberth.
Other letters and drawings were sent to Beznoska and Houdini by Bryn Downey, 5; Sam Fenn, 5; Georgia Weekes, 6; Shea Slanetz, 5; Luke Worst, 6; Zachary Deal, 5; Lara Gillingham, 6; Laine Whitter, 6; Teagan McAvoy, 5; and Makena Gove, 6.
Beznoska said he enjoys taking Houdini to school and library groups because it helps him teach children and adults about snakes in general and pythons in particular. Snakes have been a hobby of Beznoska's for a good part of this life. An experienced snake handler, he's previously owned boa constrictors and a reticulated python. But Houdini, who he's had for 16 years, is Beznoska's favorite.
Meanwhile, until warmer weather comes to the Wood River Valley, Houdini is spending most his time in the remodeled habitat Beznoska built for him. It includes a heated tile floor to help the tropical snake stay warm.
"No more blankets—I threw that out," Beznoska said.
Karl Beznoska and Houdini, the Ketchum area?s world-famous Burmese python, pose for a photograph in September at Beznoska?s home north of Ketchum. Houdini will be the star of a segment on The Learning Channel that is set to air in mid-February. Photo by David N. Seelig
