I want to reiterate that large boids make magnificent pets. I can pull my burm out of her cage, and sit on the couch with her in my arms all day if I want. She's the closest thing to a cold-blooded puppy dog I've ever seen. I don't want to discourage ANYONE from buying a large snake. It is your right to own one just as it's my right. I am saying that one should research their purchase extensively before getting one. While that includes analyzing the feeding and housing requirements and their (sometimes) enormous cost, it also means having hands-on experience with them. In most cases it's probably better to start with smaller species (boas, carpets, balls) before making that leap to one of the giants. In the best case scenario, a prospective owner would have the opportunity to hold, feed, and care for a large snake to understand awesome nature of these animals.

If it were two years ago, I probably would have just read this thread and moved on without posting. But we are in an extremely precarious situation in regards to python ownership in America. We are embroiled in a battle in which much of the government wants to keep us from keeping our beloved pets. I don't know if a year from now, I'll be able to breed my snakes. I don't know if I'll be able to afford keeping my collection without being able to breed and sell offspring. If the snake-hating public gets their way, my only recourse will be to euthanizing my snakes since under past and current bills, there would be no selling or trading of pythons. We, as reptile keepers, have to stand up as a positive image for our hobby. Everything we do must be considered under the watchful eye of those that want our animals wrenched from our hands.

Imagine if someone saw the OP getting bitten on the face by a 6-foot retic. Imagine if someone saw her scrambling to catch the snake with a rubbermaid tub, clearly too afraid to touch it with her own hands. Imagine if the snake got loose and wasn't caught. Imagine if the loose snake managed to kill another 2-year old.

These are dire times for our hobby, and it's going to take a joint effort of all reptile keepers in order to keep our hobby legal. That includes educating the public, fighting current legislation, joining USARK (do it!), and being responsible reptile owners.

[ Show Entire Thread ]