Does anybody know anything about snakes? I don’t want a response from my African blog mates unless you know about house trained snakes – I’m not talking Black Mambas or Boomerangs….I’m talking suburban domestic pet.
My daughter has always loved snakes and is desperate for one for her birthday. I don’t have a problem with her having one – I certainly find it a far more appealing option than having a dog because I won’t have to pick up it’s poo. However, I have consistently said no on the basis that I think it’s cruel to keep a snake in a tank, in a house. Especially when there are two cats about.
But. I want to know whether snakes grow to the size of their surroundings or not – or is that a ridiculous question? She’s found a snake she likes in a local pet shop:-
“mum, it’s just the cuuutest little thing you’ve ever seen – it’s pink and teeny and it wrapped itself round and round my finger”
“I think you’re talking about a worm”
“No. It’s a Coral Snake but the problem is it grows to six foot”.
SIX FOOT? Does it really grow to that size? Am I going to have a worm one day and then come back home another day to find that a giant Anaconda sized snake has eaten all three of my children in one sitting?
Is it cruel to keep a snake in a tank?
Do snakes want to be loved?
Am I mad to even be contemplating the mere thought?
Every time I come to my computer at the moment I find another animal staring out at me. I think she’s going for the two pronged attack: subliminal advertising mixed with relentless badgering. She’s very enamoured with all the new miniature animals that are popular at the moment – teeny weeny pigs and monkeys. I’m not sure I’m happy about all that weird breeding…she showed me a picture of a cow that has been bred to have huge muscles – it’s revolting. The poor thing can hardly walk let alone lift it’s head – and all for a bit more meat.
Still. I have to admit to thinking her latest object of desire is pretty damn cute:-
Do you think if I buy her one of those furry toys that you stick on your pencil, she’ll be fooled?
October 24th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Laughing my head off at 'the two pronged attack' sublominal advertising
.
A snake? *Shudder* There will never ever be one of thise here…..yikes!
The monkey is very cute but I bet they're a bit rascaly!
Get her one of those Nintendo Eye Toy pets, far easier to look after
October 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
They don't grow to the size of their surroundings but some of them get quite big and heavy. And they're not like some pets that become affectionate towards you. There are quite a lot of tales over here about "domestic" snakes that suddenly start squeezing their owners or biting them.
What about an inch worm?
October 24th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Well the photo thing does look cute…but are you sure it is not already one of those pencil things?
Snakes: Have you ever visited a reptile house at a Zoo; there is an all pervading earthy, cold almost 'decaying' smell. Snakes smell -don't let anybody tell you different!
October 24th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I have two memories of my ex husbands younger brothers snake; seeing it swimming in their family bath and his bedroom stinking as the tank lamp heating up the snake droppings!
He went on to swap it for a play station!
October 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I'm a scared of snakes so the thought of having one living in my house would mean sleep was probably totally impossible. I think I've seen too many films where they are suddenly missing from their tank and lurking under the bed. Not sure if I'm completely correct but I think Coral Snakes are actually pretty venomous and when they bite tend to hang on rather than letting go, although they are supposed to be non aggressive. I would find picking up dog poo much more appealing!
October 24th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Very cute!! Obediently not talking about scary, deadly African snakes…
October 24th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Awww. Go for the little fluffy thing. At least you'll only be picking up tiny poo.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
J's friend has a snake it's not a poisonous one …they carry on growing and they live a good 20-30 years so what happens when Alice goes off to Uni don't think it would be allowed. You have to feed them animals you buy from the petshop, it started on mice now has rats. You will have to keep frozen rats in your fridge!!
Also they are not pack animals so has no bonding with owner…what about holidays?? You have to keep buying new big tanks and lights to keep it warm!
Do I need to sat more?
October 24th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
OOh yeah they do poo, and shed their skin !! Could be a pait of shoes for you !!
October 24th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Oh I love snakes and had many as pets. I don't know about coral snakes tho – I'm sure you can find something that doesn't get quite as big! Hard thing with keeping a snake is you have to feed it live mice – as long as she's aware of that! And not cruel to keep them in a tank, think they have an even shorter memory than goldfish!
October 25th, 2009 at 1:00 am
OK a collective group of comments that are enough to put me off. They're smelly, antisocial and potentially dangerous. Lets leave them where they're meant to be….although I have to say I think that teeny weeny marmoset stuck on that finger looks like it has an evil streak Lx
October 25th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I am clearly out of touch – what's a Nintendo Eye toy pet and Expat Mum – love the idea of an inch worm – where can I buy one of those?
Thanks 'm' – forgot about rotting flesh smell associated with snakes and also about the mice/rats in the freezer.
Yuk, Jaz, another smelly snake story
I didn't know that Coral snakes did that – aussie friend…forget that one then. Worm it is then.
sorry Karen….didn't mean to sound so bossy – and anyway would love to hear all about your scary African snake stories!
Tiny poo Di is definitiely better
Imo – 20 or 30 years? Do they? Maybe a hamster then – they're only 18 months I think. Or a butterfly – 1 day.
thanks Miranda for coming in with the only positive comment – however, I'm not sure I want mice in my freezer. In fact I definitely don't need to be responsible for other animals dying to feed the one I've got. It's bad enough when the cats catch something in our garden, but at least I only have to feed them dry food. Lx
October 25th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Get a tortoise. They are great fun, eat their own poo and if you have a garden, can be outside during the summer.
October 25th, 2009 at 4:47 am
She won't be fooled. But better a disappointed daughter than a life worrying about becoming the next tasty snake snack, that's all I'm saying.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:06 am
"I certainly find it a far more appealing option than having a dog because I won't have to pick up it's poo."
Snakes "poo" too and it's NOT a pretty sight. It stinks, it's messy, and depending on the size of the snake it can be LARGE
"I have consistently said no on the basis that I think it's cruel to keep a snake in a tank, in a house. Especially when there are two cats about."
Snake's aren't generally roaming animals except when they are hunting or looking for warmth. Otherwise they generally stay in one spot and don't move around. So a cage isn't really cruel. One of the cruelest things people do is give them cages that are too large and then they get stressed out.
As for cats they won't be a problem as long as you keep the snake secure and be sure to wash your hands before handling the snake after petting the cat. You don't want to trigger a feeding response in your snake.
"It's a Coral Snake but the problem is it grows to six foot"
Me thinks your daughter is either pulling your leg or getting some bad information herself… The problem isn't the size, they only get to be about 2.5 feet. The real issue is that they are one of the most venomous snakes in the world. They rarely bite because they are very docile but certainly not a good candidate for a pet.
Now having said all that are you sure she didn't mean a corn snake? Because those make great pets. They grow to be 3 to 5 feet and live 15+ years if taken care of properly. Younger snakes are generally nippy and likely to bite but with consistent handling they'll calm down. Corn snakes are considered beginner snakes because they are so easy to take care of and tolerate children very well.
"Do snakes want to be loved?"
Actually they generally prefer to be left alone. If they seem to be getting cozy with you and wanting attention it's because of your body heat.
"Am I mad to even be contemplating the mere thought?"
Not at all. Just be aware after she gets a snake either she'll decide she loves them or hates them and you could end up with a lot more than one.
October 25th, 2009 at 11:15 am
My friend had snakes of the large variety for some time, she never had any problems with them but apparently they aren't affectionate, don't get attached to the owner and don't really move much either. She also said because they don't move much its hard to tell if they are alive. She also said that hers got a few mouth infections which actually managed to kill the snakes so she never had hers for more than 2-3 years. Dunno if this helps
October 25th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Thanks Zed – maybe a tortoise is the answer – eats their own poo? Brilliant x
A proper snake expert response from "pet snakes" – thank you whoever you are – most appreciated – I had no idea they did big smelly poos
Thanks Claire, another negative then…mouth infections? They just get more and more appealing…a pet snake with smelly poo and a mouth infection. Hmmm. Lx
October 25th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Sorry about the negativity – not a big fan of things that move without legs and things that move with more limbs than me! Having said that, I only know this stuff cos I was really curious after I found out she had kept snakes a while ago. The mouth infection thing was really weird – had no idea they could even get such a thing! Although when I said large snakes these things were huge – one was so big and strong if it was underneath a 3 person sofa it could lift it up even with people sitting on it! she did also say that the stories about constrictors squeezing their owners to death was a myth. Couldn't you daughter try having a smaller slightly more interesting reptile like a lizard of some sort?
October 25th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
No prob with negativity Claire – looking for all the ammunition I can get….although maybe that's a good idea to think about a lizard like thing – at least doesn't grow so big….or swallow you whole, or poison you or constrict you or freak you out generally to the same degree….they're still dry and clammy and don't want to be loved though….Lx
October 25th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
OK. Sorted I would say!!!