Snakes have a fearsome reputation but not for one young girl in the UK with a clear fondness for her family's huge 4.5-metre (15ft) reticulated python, Cher.

Emi, 8, was attempting to put the giant yellow-coloured reptile back in its vivarium after her father cleaned the tank out, but she struggled to lift it.

Fortunately, the heavy creature seemed to find its own way towards its home, so the 8-year-old could pat and stroke the pet as it did so.

Dad Ed Taoka said: "My daughter Emi was 4 when she started interacting with snakes and now she is 8 yrs old.

"Our pet snakes are called Sonny and Cher. Sonny is 7-years-old and about 15 foot. Cher is 6-years-old and around 16 foot

"My daughter and snakes have been together for most of their lives.

"Both snakes are very tame and gentle. They haven’t shown any defensive or aggressive behaviour towards us."

Been cleaning out the vivarium My daughter putting Cher our 155 ft long Reticulated Python back into her vivariumName Ed TaokaLocation United Kingdom

My daughter Emi was 4 when she started interacting with snakes and now she is 8 yrs old.

Our pet snakes are called Sonny and Cher. Sonny is 7 years old and about 15ft. Cher is 6 years old and around 16ft

My daughter and snakes have been together for most of their lives.

Both snakes are very tame and gentle. They haven’t shown any defensive or aggressive behaviour towards us.