Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been wanting a ball python for quite awhile, I recently had the money, but got a crested gecko instead. When I asked my parents if they would disown me if I got a snake (my dad hates snakes), my husband-to-be had to say the word python. My mom freaked out saying that if we're thinking about kids soon, an escaped python could kill a baby. I understand the importance of secured enclosures, so I'm wondering how big of an issue this really is. Any input on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

lol... I dont see a ball python killng a baby any time soon unless the person is really not watching the baby or the snake...

Not a big deal... Think about it from an adult 4' snake's perspective: It has just escaped and has the entire house to hide in. It is going to hide anywhere except for where there are people, especially little people that will probably grab and pinch it or make loud noises if awoken at night.
A baby snake is going to be even MORE afraid of people, especially once escaped, and is going to avoid you.

So, an escaped snake is not a big threat to a baby, especially if not in the same room AND the baby is up in a crib.

Now, if you put the snake around the baby's neck and let it crawl around, there is a chance for something bad to happen. (snakes have strong muscles and I really don't recommend putting adults around the necks of small children) But, if you lay a new baby down the wrong way, something bad can happen then too. So, using a little common sense will prevent any serious accidents from happening.

When I was FIVE I got my first snake (a ball python) and I managed to grow up in spite of my choice of pet. I'm sure if you got a snake, any future children you have will survive it as well.

~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

J3nnay
i totally agree with what you said about hanging adults around the necks of small children, i tried to hang my cousin around my 6 yo sons neck and he just collapsed. luckily no one was hurt, tho my cousin did have a nasty bump on his head, i'm not sure what this has to do with snakes however, but it is good advice nevertheless.
mike

I had the same issue with my parents. I actually have a 17 month old boy and when I mentioned that I would be getting a ball python, my mom also freaked out and started sending me stories and videos of snakes hurting and killing people and dogs. Ignorance is bliss... if you have done your research and know what a ball python is capable of, then I think you're on the right track. I just got my first BP last night and I'm over joyed... Your family would benefit from some good readings and research before they pass judgment.

Good luck!!!!

My New Snake Oliver

I think that the uninformed mistakenly believe that the ball python will try to eat the baby/dog/cat. When I explained that the baby snake eats something the size of a mini dill pickle and that large rats are too big for average adult BPs to ingest, my family felt much more comfortable with the notion. Good luck!

If it helps any, my two boys have learned a tremendous amount from growing up around my snakes. Not too many 2nd graders can explain Mendelian genetics to his friends!

Maki
www.pacificcoastreptiles.com

You could keep the ball python in the crib with the baby and not have any problems! LOL People that don't know, don't know. It's our job as hobbist to teach them. It shouldn't take much to convince someone that a 4-5ft snake can't possible eat a newborn baby. Now an adult retic or burm........tht's another story.
Link

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when I lived in guam my condo was smack dab in the middle of the jungle, our house was full of little geckos. i had to hermetically seal the house and get a cat (which strangely had no interest in geckos) it only kills the northern short tailed shrew (one of the only venomous mammals in he world). we almost divorced over those darm geckos, seriously. but t least the cat kept her company when i worked nights. luckily my tour was cut short due to a hurricane (cyclone) whatever they call 'em in the pacific, blowing most of my base into the ocean. so that gives you an idea of the fear my wife has of reptiles. for my birthday this year i went for broke and asked for a ball python, we went to the store and i showed her one. she was still nervous, but agreed under some very strict terms. i.e.. a reptile sliding top cage with a lock, (and she kept the key) lol.
well after a couple of weeks, the snake became "cute" and she refers to it as "snakie" she still wont touch it but the minimum distance between her and the snake has decreased from 10 feet to about 2 feet. and when the snake is in the cage she will go right up to it. she will even, without a second thought, clan and disinfect the eating tub, rotten mouse tails and all. a job even i can barely do. so to make a long story short. Time , education and exposure will generally do a lot to ease the unreasonable fears some ppl have of snakes. and unless you are using gerbil scented baby lotion on your kid the snake will probably want nothing to do with it. another example, our neighbors are recent chinese immigrants (legally) they own a restaurant, and my wife babysits for them. besides the money we get great free chinese food. the mother and eldest daughter visited on feeding day and i got to show them my ball chowing down on a mouse. normally most ppl would be put off by this, but they thought it was pretty cool, especially the teenage daughter. so one by one a little education and and exposure goes a long way.
hope you can get your snake. and if you cant then a corn or milksnake are also good starter snakes imho.
good luck
mike

That is,with any reptile,samonella. As long as you don't let the child suck on your reptiles, and wash your hands after handling them, or any of their equipment, there is very little danger to infants (provided as other have pointed out you use common sense)
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"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

I have 2 kids--
My 2 year old boy has a rosy boa
my 1 year old girl has 2 beardies in her room (ran out of space...)

My son holds the snake while i clean the cage. Our bed time ritual includes changing the water and turning the light off. He comes and brings me the water cup when we're getting ready for bed-- he knows its time to fill the water.

My one year old has a heart defect and a brain tumor- and obviously a slightly compromised immune system. She has not held or touched the reptiles herself yet but she watches the beardies all the time-- especially when there are crickets involved.

I have had snakes and other reptiles since LONG before i had kids. I have people call me on a weekly basis: "i'm having a baby and the corn snake has to go...: -- then they come here and see my kids and are like "oh... other people have snakes and kids too-- what an idea" DUH!

I do not see a ball python killing or really even hurting a baby severely. they certainly cannot EAT a baby- thats silly.
I keep the big constrictors as well, burms, retics, husband wants a 'conda-- We converted our 2 car garage into a happily heated/cooled, escape proof, herp house-- thats where the iguanas and bigger snakes are at-- cages are locked-- door is locked- all the way down stairs from my kids rooms who have closed doors-- until burms grow thumbs-- i don't think i'll have a problem...

I have talked to the cardiologist many many times, as well as our neurosurgen, and primary care doctors about the risk of salmonella and our daughter (who turned 1 last december). They aren't big fans of snakes- but now our neurosugen is thinking about a ball python! They have gone out and done thier own medical research on salmonella and came back to me with answers-- they asked if she was in direct contact- and i said there are beardies in her room, there are snakes in the livingroom- and throughout the living space-- they said that if she is to be touching the reptiles, then to wash her hands-- as well as mine.

Shes 1 1/2 and hasn't had salmonella yet-- so i'd say we're just fine.

I say get the snake-- if anything it'll keep your parents and inlaws out of the house (works for me anyway)

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Great point. My snakes keep my overbearing grandmother and mother in law away from our house. So it's pretty much a win/win situation. Happy herping!!!

Ah the woes of the uneducated.........
My family actually DEMANDED we get rid of our snakes when our due date was getting closer. Never mind the fact that dogs and cats attack babies all the time and cause serious damage and sometimes fatalities. We have a creamscicle corn, a 2ft 700g male pastel ball but our "evil monster" is our 5 1/2ft 2600g female normal BP. Our son is 9 weeks old and obviously we don't walk around with the snakes around the babies neck (we have taken a few closely supervised posed photos though with the littlt pastel in his lap) and if I'm handling them then my wife will hold our son or vice versa. Other than adjusting to cleaning tanks, bowls etc....and feeding while he is sleeping we have had no problems. A BP is not going to eat a baby however they are solid muscle and if it was around the babies neck I have no doubt it could strangle it. Not out of anger or hunger it's just a reaction to being startled. My wife has had to help me get our big female off my neck when she tensed up while I was washing her bowl out a few times and I am amazed at how strong she is. But, if you leaving you baby unnatended with ANY pet your a bad parent and asking for trouble. I agree with the other reply that if you were getting a retic or a burm that would be the only time I would tell you "bad idea". If you really want a BP then get one. Hell, get 2 or 3 if you have the room. They will become just as much part of your family as anything else and you will enjoy them for years. My first I inherited when my uncle passed away when I was 9yo. He got it when he was 15 and he died at 42. I had the BP for another 4 years before it died. Educate your family and get your snake. I find them more fun and easier and less expensive to maintain than a gecko or any lizard anyway. And in my opinion it would be the best pet to have around a baby than anything else. And how cool is your kid going to be when friends come over and they get to see your snakes!

well if you research the subject you can see that some cribs or baby toys have killed many more babies than any python especially a ball, i have a 13 month old daughter, i dont let her handle them or anything, but thats more the safety of the snake, not the baby. also they are a constricting snake but ive never seen a ball constrict it didnt intend to eat. but it is a tough situation, because you say ball python to most people and they hear radioactive t-rex.

LMAO

I've done research on ball pythons, but didn't find much on how they may act towards a child. I know the common sense part of it, I know about salmonella, we already have a Chinese water dragon, two leopard geckos, and a crested gecko. I just haven't had as much experience with babies, we figure we won't have any until I'm out of college. I figured it would be fine with the proper precautions.
(Unfortunately, I don't think his dad and brother are bothered by snakes...)