Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just kidding.

I'm not much of a snake keeper (I have a corn) but I find these stories of giant reptiles on the loose lately fascinating. They're replacing the pet tigers in apartments stories from last year.

Enjoy.
Kevin

http://www.local6.com/news/3773397/detail.html

Cineplex Closed After Janitor Spots Python
Theaters To Reopen Once Snake-Catchers Certify Serpent Has Left

POSTED: 1:01 pm EDT September 30, 2004
UPDATED: 1:39 pm EDT September 30, 2004

HOUSTON -- In a case of life imitating art, a Houston movie theater has shut down while workers hunt for an 8-foot snake spotted by a maintenance worker.

Among the movies playing at the 16-screen Tinseltown theater is the horror-thriller "Anacondas."

The Tinseltown plex in northwest Houston has been closed for more than a week after the janitor spotted what appeared to be a Burmese python slithering in front of one of the screens.

Apparently the snake was as startled by the janitor as he was of the snake, and it hasn't been seen since. But the owner -- Cinemark USA -- says it won't reopen the theaters until a professional snake-catcher certifies the serpent has left the building.

Cinemark spokeswoman Terrell Falk said three separate crews of professional snake-catchers have been brought in to look for the snake, but nothing's been found so far.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

every time some idiot/irresponsible owner lets his pet burm loose in his/her home, lets it crawl on his/her front lawn or at the park, or, keeps his/her burm in a cage that is not suitable for an animal with incredible strength, they are literally ruining the hobby for everyone; even those like you who have a corn snake (which, by the way, is a FAR better choice for about 99% of the people who are considering a burm....sorry gang, but that's just the way it is).

our facility alone rescues over 50 burms each year from owners in the Chicago/Milwaukee area; most were not kept properly and it is no wonder why many communities are considering an all out ban on the keeping of any reptile....its happening folks! I don't have a solution because the blame can be placed on the breeders, prospecitive buyers who are misinformed, unscrupulous dealers and reptile swap operators/vendors, and on and on. Bottom line is that while burms are magnificent creatures and snakes I love keeping and enjoying, they are not a good choice for MOST people considering keeping reptiles. There are many better choices; many small to medium sized pythons that would be far better. I always tell people that if you want a big python w/out the lenght of a burm, get a nice, c.b. borneo or red blood python; awesome beasts.

I dont see why people are even breeding albino's and regular burms....i mean, i dont condemn anyone for doing it, but seriously, all you breeders...when your clutch of burms are born, think to yourself how many of these are going to go to a responsible owner and live a good life......VERY FEW. I just cant see why people keep wanting to breed them, its not like there is a ton of money in it, go adopt a burm if you wanna buy one, dont create new lives so they can live in horrible conditions, or die.

I very much agree against people casually breeding burms. It just adds to the unwanted pet list. I wouldnt breed a burm, green iguana, dog, cat, and others without good reason because theres just so many out there that need a good home.
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0.1.0 Columbian boa constrictor
1.0.0 Albino burmese python
1.0.0 Pine/bull snake hybrid
0.1.0 Ball python
3.0.0 Cornsnake (anerythristic, snow, normal)
0.0.1 Cali kingsnake
0.0.1 Rainwater albino leopard gecko
1.0.0 Tokay gecko
1.0.0 Bahama anole
0.0.1 Red eared slider
1.4.0 Cat
4.3.0 Bird
1.0.0 Dog

On the flip side you could say, How many of the Burms, iggies, etc. people adopt, still end up with a irresponsible owner? Yes, im sure some do, but atleast some do get a good home, and its not another life created to ruin....I dont think animals such as dogs, cats, Burms, retics, iguanas, etc. should be bred for those reasons...hell, if you adopt one you get it cheaper than the petshop, or in some cases free.

Most of the places Ive seen that adopt out reptiles only adopt to people they feel are experianced and responsible. Most of my pets are adopted. All the reptiles I adopted (including the albino burm, boa, albino leopard gecko and many others) have an adoption fee of $5
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0.1.0 Columbian boa constrictor
1.0.0 Albino burmese python
1.0.0 Pine/bull snake hybrid
0.1.0 Ball python
3.0.0 Cornsnake (anerythristic, snow, normal)
0.0.1 Cali kingsnake
0.0.1 Rainwater albino leopard gecko
1.0.0 Tokay gecko
1.0.0 Bahama anole
0.0.1 Red eared slider
1.4.0 Cat
4.3.0 Bird
1.0.0 Dog

I can think of a few GOOD reasons to breed burms!!

The main one, if there was no-one breeding burms then when that 17' snake gets out, it will be a wild cought one that more then likely, has a hate for people. At least now most burm are CBB.If no one were breeding them where do think the pet trade would get them from?

Another reason is burmese are on the endangered species list. Not the US list but on another one, I'll have to look up witch one.

Now I know thier are alot of people with burms that shouldn't have them, but thier are a lot more who have them and care for them the right way.

My first snake was a burm, and though it is not the best snake for your first time, I will always have burms. They have a place in my heart, and I would jump though any hoop, get any permit, do what ever I had to to make sure I can keep them.

What we need is better, and more education, for every one, keepers, and the public.

I'll leave it at that for now, Have a good day!
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2.3 burms
2.4 balls
1.1 Kenyan sand boa
0.1 coastal carpet
0.0.1 nile
0.0.1 savanna
0.0.1 water monitor

It all depends on whos buying them. A lot of the burms in the pet trade are being sold to people who usually dont know how to care for it. Im not saying that eveyone who breeds and sell burms should stop, but I know of places that sells baby burms to 10 year old kids without thinking twice about it. I believe the best thing we can do is continue educating the pubic about reptiles, especially children.
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0.1.0 Columbian boa constrictor
1.0.0 Albino burmese python
1.0.0 Pine/bull snake hybrid
0.1.0 Ball python
3.0.0 Cornsnake (anerythristic, snow, normal)
0.0.1 Cali kingsnake
0.0.1 Rainwater albino leopard gecko
1.0.0 Tokay gecko
1.0.0 Bahama anole
0.0.1 Red eared slider
1.4.0 Cat
4.3.0 Bird
1.0.0 Dog

I usually post in the blood forum,However I lurk around in this forum because I absoulutely LOVE INDIAN PYTHONS.They just happen to be one of the three snakes that I love next to bloods and boa's.I own nine boa's and bloods but you don't see me going out and buying a burm.I know these animals reach massive sizes and I know that I can't provide that kind of care to a giant python.So for now I just have to dream and admire from afar.Thanks for letting me post.

N/P

This may sound way off but hear me out. In DC you may not even have a gun, yet DC is one of the most crime ridden cesspools (sp) around. Why, because they don't enforce the laws, they just make new ones that they won't enforce. You speak of adoption places that only allow responsible people to adopt. That's only works if EVERY employee is with the program. "We Card!" Very few people who work in convenience stores care about carding youngsters for cigarettes. Where am I going with this?

People who recklessly own pets (doesn't matter which kind) should be dealt with. "17' python escapes!" That's scary! This animal could kill many children if it wanted so many people left their homes. Was the owner held responsible for this? I bet not if at all. We as a people do not take responsibility for our actions across the board. If we held each other accountable, even if it was a mistake since mistakes can kill people, we would be much more careful. Burm owners would ensure they have locks on the cages and close all doors to the snake room in case one got out. I'm rambling but we have the power to change this. It's just most people are to d--- lazy!

DZ

I know many of us have had or have read about inexperienced people and their bad experiences with burms, especially you intempestanox. I don't know about your friend, I.nox, but I do know that we can't stop people from doing what they want to do. You and I both learned that from him. As for selling to inexperienced or younger people be careful how you classify everyone. I'm 20 years old and have an extensive list of reptiles including large, dangerous, and/or venomous. And I've never had a mishap (knock on wood). Experience counts but so does willingness to learn and everyone here's willingness to teach. So everyone, in closing don't judge on age or experience but on willingness to do the maximum to ensure a good home and safe keeping to the reptile. Also lets everyone just agree that, if a person has to ask how big a snake gets or what it eats or some other question they should know the answer to before buying, we send them home with a care sheet and the name of good book and your number for questions and then make an agreement to sell later. Good luck everyone,
Sera
S and M Reptiles

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5.7 ball pythons (7 normal, 3 het albino, 2 het axanthic)
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.1 striped albino gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus
0.1 salcotta tortoise
1.2 mice
1.1 rats
0.0.1 human on the way

I'm not sure why you addressed age. When I stated everyone I meant everyone. You may be the exception as to whom I'm speaking of. If so then you are one who is a part of the solution.

The point I was trying to make is our society as a whole, not every single person, has gotten away from responsibility. These people ruin it for those that really try to do the right thing. I'm talking about the inconsiderates. (Is that a word?)
Such as those who: keep animals in less than acceptable conditions; throw trash out of their vehicles (ie. smokers); teach their kids inappropriate ways to act because it's cute when they're young; motorcyclists who weave through traffic or stunt ride on the highway; letting your dog crap in someone else's lawn; driving drunk because we think we can handle it etc.

We do things every day that affect other people. We are guilty when we fail to consider this and age is not a deciding factor. The younger generations are less mature by default and may have more excuse than an older person because they may not know. It just sucks to see so many inconsiderate terds allowed to breathe air just the same as people who try do the right thing. It's only going to get worse because not enough people care....

There have been many posts recently regarding should someone get a burm. Like your post and the one below state... If you have to ask, you obviously have not done your homework and therefore are probably not ready.

DZ

Sorry maybe I misunderstood the original post but alot of herpers get on an "age matters" kick. Like h*ll it does. They probably went out and picked up snakes in the woods when they were seven same as I did. Its a matter of education. I'm glad we agree on that, now if only everyone else did. As for the 'inconsiderates' I don't get around much. I know people like that are out there but I haven't had the pleasure of meeting them and I hate to think that one person can ruin it for everyone. I prefer to point out that communities such as ours get more attention from a string of incidents such as occured recently when we begin to look 'out of control'. Hence why I think education not age is the main factor and why I fight to prove that. I don't want to see my 17 year old friends not be allowed to have snakes because you need a license and have to be 18 or something stupid. I'm not here to get on anyone's case, just to stress education before making a sale or purchasing any animal.
Sera
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5.7 ball pythons (7 normal, 3 het albino, 2 het axanthic)
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.1 striped albino gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus
0.1 salcotta tortoise
1.2 mice
1.1 rats
0.0.1 human on the way

I live just outside of S.E. DC. The people here SUCK! Not all of course but this is a miserable place to live. I retire from the AF in 2 years (I'll be 37) and we're moving back to Michigan to some forgotten piece of land to build our house and pee off the back porch whenever we want! Oops, did that come out?

DZ

This is a perfect instance of why responsable keepers have locks on their cages which are inside secure, snakeproof rooms. You cannot have to many redundant safety features.
1000 "that a boys" dont equal 1 "uh oh"
In the reptile industry good publicity is rare and bad publicity is common place. If we want to continue to keep large snakes we have to get our act together. I say we because when a ban is passed it dosnt just affect idiots. It affects responsable and irresponsable keepers alike. Since there is no prejudice in a ban everyone must keep responsably or EVERYONE WILL LOSE THEIR RIGHTS. With the issue of money aside, I enjoy my burms and retics. I dont want to have to enjoy the secretly.
Breeders and sellers must be carefull when selling and I know its difficult, especially when we do so much buissness on the web. You cant hook up every potential customer to a polygraph machine but, when we are doing buissness face to face weve got to be willing to draw the line and say, "This guy is a liability, NO SALE".

Darrell Armstrong
reticulus@yahoo.com