Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sanitation before and after handling my ball python is a regular habit. Thing is, I have a kid who insists on kissing the snake from time to time. Don't ask me where he gets his love for reptiles.

I read somewhere that all egg-laying critters can carry salmonella. At least one herp-geek I've encountered has mentioned an unhappy episode with salmonella. This guy was more into wild-caught specimens, but I'm curious about folks who have kept captive-bred balls for a number of years.

Good husbandry, washing hands, and keeping a clean enclosure are probably the major factors, but in terms of salmonella risk I wonder often folks have experienced this.

Seems to me, it's really only an issue for the very young or the very old humans in our life.

Is the risk of salmonella really that high? Is it advisable to keep our pets away from our face?
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Seren
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"The universe is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering." (Chinese proverb)
Stormwraith Sidelines (blog including occasional tales about my ball python, Ella)

Well, I wouldn't suggest licking your snake...

Or its habitat...

Other than that, just the basic sanitary measures (Hand washing frequently) and you should be fine.
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www.HeathersHerps.com

-Ohh, what a Lady-

Balls for Life, Baby!

I am sure it is possible that they carry it. But that is mainly tactical warfare started by PETA and the HSUS. Basically, I wouldn't want my kids kissing snakes . But I wouldn't want them kissing the kitchen counter top either.....
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
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.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
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"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

...most reptiles do carry some form of salmonella and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of it. Good sanitary practices are the best defense against salmonella. If you approach every animal as if it is salmonella positive and take appropriate precautions you should have minimal risk. I would also recommend not allowing kids to have animals near their face as an extra precaution.

Rob

But I'd be far more worried about a bite to the face.

Cheryl

I agree. But the fact is that these organizations are trying to get everyone in a frenzy. I agree that anyone should practice sanitation. But how many people have you ever met that have gotten salmonella from a reptile? They are perpetuating the stereotype that reptiles are dangerous on a physical and bacterial level.
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko "The Crested Gecko"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

Obviously, washing hands is a good thing. But if you really want to lessen the risk, make sure your animal's habitat is clean! The big salmonella scare related to reptiles came from the old days when you could buy baby red eared slider turtles from your local five and dime. They were kept in unsanitary conditions, creating a breeding ground for salmonella. If you keep the enclosure clean, you will drastically reduce the risks of salmonella! Even still, wash hands after handling. I keep several bottles of sanitizer near my snakes and my rats.

Steve

I've had one of my balls sinc I was 5, and I know when I was younger someone at a reptile shop was kissing her snake and told me it was alright...so of course, I started doing it too.
I never got salmonella, much to my suprise now, knowing what I do about it, lol.

However, I HAVE gotten salmonella before from handling a reptile and forgetting to wash my hands before lunch.

If you keep your snake and its enclosure clean, you should be fine, BUT. You probably don't want your kid kissing it, just in case. My bout with it has left me super paranoid and trust me when I say your kid does not want to get it.

It might help to remind your child that the snake doesn't understand what kissing is (snakes don't kiss!) and that it's probably scary to the snake to have a giant human's head coming to close to it. To the snake, it might seem like that giant human is finally going to eat it!

I like the comparison made in a previous reply - "sure, I don't want my kids kissing the snakes...but I wouldn't want them to kiss the kitchen counter, either."

Hope this helps!

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

From what I read, samonella is in their waste. Sometimes they will get some on themselves. If you touch them, and then touch food (or you mouth,) then eat the food; you could catch salmonella. So you are right, keep it clean, and always clean your hands after handling. Hope this helps.

www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm

www.triciaswaterdragon.com/salmonella.htm

www.arav.org/SalmonellaOwner.htm
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

I think it is time, as a parent, that you insist on the child not kissing the snake. I have had snakes in the house since the day my first born child came home from the hospital. I have never had one ask to kiss a snake or anything of that matter. I have always tried to explain in kid's language how to properly care for our animals, and kissing is not included in our husbandry. I do agree with proper hand washing before and after handling animals, but there is no guarantee that 100% of germs are killed by hand washing.

The next thing that would worry me is the child taking a bite to the face. I have been bitten in the face twice. Once by a 6' boa my roomate got out of her cage without permission while she was in shed, and when I opened one the tubs on the top of my rack the other day to check on a snake in shed and did not use a step stool as I should have. I can tell you that you don't want this to happen to your child. I am lucky I didn't sustain an eye injury from the boa and the ball was just a baby that got me on the forehead. Your child's eyesight is much more important than giving a ball python a kiss.

I am not trying to insinuate that you don't care for your children or have bad husbandry practices in any way.
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

My snakes aren't fat, they're big boned.

I appreciate the helpful replies everyone has posted. This is such a great resource. Haven't followed-up on the links yet, but my favorite thing next to handling Ella (my b/p) is reading more about snake-related topics.

As for my son, I've gently urged him to refrain from kissing Ella. He being the contrarian he is, this simply doesn't matter. He's the sort who learns most lessons the hard way. Sigh.

If and when he gets bit in the face, I'll be sure to post pics.

Meanwhile, I'll continue reminding him about the valid concerns. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, Ella is so docile and human-friendly, the kids need constant reminders not to take this behavior for granted. We often have the discussion about how bizarre it is from a reptile's perspective to deal with stinky, creepy, huge, and threatening humans.

Bites may be uncommon, but they can happen. Perhaps I can scour the Internet for some bite photos (although the kids did see that recent CNN news story about the idiot who put the rattlesnake in his mouth...).

Thanks again and good luck to you all on yer herpin' projects!
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Seren
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"The universe is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering." (Chinese proverb)
Stormwraith Sidelines (blog including occasional tales about my ball python, Ella)

If my son is contrarion enough not to obey me, he knows the belt is the next form of pursuasion. Also, if he doesn't do as told, then he looses the privelage of taking part in reptile duties until he can learn to do as he is told. I am not too "gentle" about disobedience. That is how I was raised, and that is how my son is raised.

As far as that guy sticking the snake in his mouth, that was just plain stupid. I don't think in this case a child should be allowed to learn the hard way as you suggest. This is pretty disturbing if you ask me.
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Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

My snakes aren't fat, they're big boned.

I used to use nutribac for my iguana. Would this be of help to my B/p?I have never hears of snakes carrying salmonella. I have heard of Iguanas, and other lizzards carrying it due to improper lighting, and heat.
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Snakes can definitely carry salmonella and pass it on to humans.

The links posted above specifically mention that 16-92% of snakes may be infected carriers.

Washing hands is the best preventive measure. Take extra care with kids under 8, elderly, or folks with compromised immune systems.

Don't know about the impact of nutribac. I would think that would have little or no impact on the bacteria in an animal's stool.

When there's stool in my snake's living area, I immediately use a paper towel and remove it. That still doesn't mean the snake or the snake's furniture are bacteria-free.

I've learned a lot through this little discussion. Thanks again all.
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Seren
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"The universe is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering." (Chinese proverb)
Stormwraith Sidelines (blog including occasional tales about my ball python, Ella)