The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has already launched a criminal investigation for the death of the two boys who were strangled while sleeping by an African Rock Python in the province of New Brunswick in Canada on Monday. The two brothers were identified as Noah Barthe, 5, and Connor Barthe, 7.

According to RMCP Sergeant Alain Tremblay, they are going to "look at all avenues" and are also cooperating with a reptile expert from Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton, New Brunswick to help with the case.

"It's a criminal investigation because two young boys lost their lives," he said at a news conference. He also added that that they are now taking time to gather the necessary evidence to present to the prosecutor.

Jean-Claude Savoie, the exotic pet store owner who keeps the python, said that he was horrified after he discovered about what had happened to the children.

"I can't believe this is real," he said.

The two boys were his best friend's son who often visit their apartment located just above the pet store. He had been keeping the reptile for at least 10 years and was not handled by anyone.

RCMP Sergeant Tremblay said that the python was about 4.3 metres long. It has been killed by a veterinarian after the police captured it.

RCMP Constable Julie Rogers-Marsh believed that the snake escaped during the night and slithered through a ventilation system to the apartment.

John Kendrick, snake expert and manager at the Reptile Store in Hamilton, Ontario, said that pythons can sense heat.

"A snake that size that was just trying to hold on securely enough to make sure he felt like he wasn't falling or going anywhere; he has enough muscle power to cut off circulation," he said.

"Once they are in constricting mode, any part of their body that is touching something that moves, they'll wrap it. I've seen snakes with two different prey items at the same time, one with the back of the body and one with the front. It could have been an incident like that."

He also added that African rock pythons are quite "high-strung" and do not recognise human beings as food. "It's very odd that one would go out and seek out a person."

Meanwhile, the Reptile Ocean exotic pet store has posted a Facebook message saying: “Deepest sympathies go out to the family of the children. A terrible accident without a meaning.” The store has been receiving "demeaning comments" and would temporarily suspend their online account.

According to Deputy Mayor Ian Comeau, Reptile Ocean was licensed to operate and has met all requirements stated in the town's bylaws and provincial guidelines about keeping or selling exotic animals.

Dave Rose, the two boy's great uncle, gave a brief statement live on Canadian television asking for privacy to give the family time to mourn.

"They were two typical children. They enjoyed life to a maximum," he said.