Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There is a show on animal planet today at noon about python and the dangers of having them as pets. Just wanted to let everyone at home now to know
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2.2 Columbian common boas (Zeus, Athena, Aphodite, Hades)
1.1 Corn snakes (Appolo, Boreas)
0.1 King snake tri striped cal morph (Helios)

I guess a show like that might discourage novice snake owners from getting in over their head and purchasing a burmese, retic, or anaconda as their first pet. I know I was shocked to learn that a 3 ft retic is cheaper than the Dumeril's Boa. If I didn't know that the reticulated was a huge a snake while the Dumeril's boa usually doesn't exceed 6 ft (10ft is the largest I've heard about), then I could've just as easily bought the Retic. Some places will try their best to inform you about the snake's ultimate size, while some places don't mention how big the snakes get or their temperaments. They just describe what kind of morph they are and how lovely they would be as a pet.

I think that with fewer people getting in over their heads with regards to snakes, the better everything will be. I know I don't like to hear about a large python that was let loose because the snake lost its shock value to its owner. I'll probably never own a full size reticulated python because I know that I cannot safely maintain an animal like that. However, there are others who are willing to dedicate a room or basement to accommodate a snake like that. They know about the feeding requirements and the overzealous feed response. Most importantly, they know that reptiles have very long lifespans. Someone like me has no business with such a snake. The sad thing is that some people in my situation don't realize that, and they go out and get the snake. Then later on the snake ends up in the news because it was let loose, or worse it hurt or injured its owner.

This show may not necessarily be a bad thing.

...yes in one regard but most people cant distinguish a python from a ratsnake and all of sudden your harmless boas and ratsnakes become evil owner killing monsters and you have family members(not my family...my g/f's lol) calling you at 3 o'clock in the morning warning you that some one somewere had been killed by his 13' boa (actually a python)so i had better watch out for my 9 footer...it would be a good show if it presented the good side of keeping giant snakes as well as the bad...
...no these pets arent for everyone but these shows also make it harder on those of us who do keep these animals...

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0.1 c.b.97' 9' 60 lb. common boa "scarlet"
1.0 c.b.02' 6' 15 lb. "hi pink" common boa "maverick"
0.1 c.b.06' 17" firebelly x pastel boa "betty boa"
2 savannah monitors Ozzy & Uggy

1.0 everglades x yellow ratsnake c.b. 04' 4' "pooh"
1.0 c.b.06' redear slider "dweezil"
1.0 c.b.04' emorys ratsnake "zeus"

"...does it bite?"

Yeah, it can be a double-edged sword. Perhaps they'll have a program on TV that shows both sides of snake ownership. However, if they do that, then naturally they should do so for all animals too. Dogs aren't necessary harmless either, especially the bigger ones. However, we keep the company of dangerous animals in nearly every household. Dogs, cats, larger mammals (like horses), some forms of birds, and some reptiles all have the ability to kill their owners, but for the most part they don't. Just knowing that would make me curious as to why these animals rarely hurt or kill their masters. A program that probes deeper into that aspect of pet ownership would be worth watching.

...ive always thought a snake show like the ones they have for dogs would do wonders...have breeders bring in their best colored normal and morph reptiles for a competiton...

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0.1 c.b.97' 9' 60 lb. common boa "scarlet"
1.0 c.b.02' 6' 15 lb. "hi pink" common boa "maverick"
0.1 c.b.06' 17" firebelly x pastel boa "betty boa"
2 savannah monitors Ozzy & Uggy

1.0 everglades x yellow ratsnake c.b. 04' 4' "pooh"
1.0 c.b.06' redear slider "dweezil"
1.0 c.b.04' emorys ratsnake "zeus"

"...does it bite?"