A snake handler found dead next to his pet python was strangled, a post mortem has revealed.

Dan Brandon, 31, was discovered at his home in Church Crookham, Hampshire, where he lived with his parents and an array of exotic animals. 

One of his snakes was found slivering near his body, after seemingly escaping from its pen.

Post-mortem results found that he died as a result of 'asphyxia', Basingstoke coroner's court heard today. 

Non-venomous pythons constrict their prey, rather than attacking with a bite.

However, detectives are still investigating whether Mr Brandon was killed by his pet. 

An inquest into his mysterious death was opened this morning, with further hearings to be held on November 22.

His family asked to be left alone when approached by MailOnline this morning. 

Mr Brandon was a keen animal enthusiast and he posted photos of him with his pets, including a huge Burmese python draped over his body, to his social media accounts. 

While pythons have killed humans before, experts believe this would be the first ever case in Britain. A source told the sun 'It is under investigation whether the snake was involved. The death is in an investigation stage between natural causes and an inquest.

'Investigators are waiting for the full toxicology results and reports to come back from a post-mortem. Depending on the results, an inquest may be opened. A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'We were called to an address in Church Crookham. A 31-year-old man had suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. A file will be prepared for the coroner.' 

Despite being found nearby its owners body, a friend of Mr Brandon's believed the snake had nothing to do with his death. Pythons have been known to be deadly however. A man was killed by a python in Indonesia earlier in the year, while two boys died in Canada after one escaped from a pet shop in 2013.

A spokesperson for Surrey and Hampshire Reptile Rescue said last night: 'There's never been a case of a python killing someone in Britain before. They only kill what they eat.'

A JustGiving page for Dan is raising money for the charity World Wide Fund for Nature. 

It says in the bio:  'He was obsessed with snakes, spiders, birds and all wildlife. We will all miss you so much.