Snake In Ma Hoouse

[chalksoperations]

It's been a daily event with snakes lately. The gator/python encounter happened here a couple days ago. Story is they were equally matched and it is presumed from marks that the gator was previously injured to some degree.
Up in Coral Springs 2 days ago a family found an African Rock Python on their property. They mentioned to the police that they had not seen fluffy in a couple days either. The big lump in the snakes gut answered that question.
Here's the thing with the snakes that is screwing up the Everglades Restoration. They are now known to be at equal with the Gators at the top of the food chain, which will obviously throw off the natural food supply and put an unnecessary burden on both of them to seek out other food sources (i.e. backyards). Not to mention declining numbers of other already protected species in the Glades.

Small snakes turn into big snakes. It is a fact of life. Unless you are prepared to keep a non-native species in captivity, don't let it get that far. The worst thing possible is to release it into the wild. By letting the snake live, you are killing off a number of native animals that are already here. It is bad enought with the iguanas and aquarium fish that get released into the waterways.

[sonofabeach]

dude, I would have loaned you my special snake killing umbrella

[3/4 Time]

Here's the thing with the snakes that is screwing up the Everglades Restoration. They are now known to be at equal with the Gators at the top of the food chain, which will obviously throw off the natural food supply and put an unnecessary burden on both of them to seek out other food sources (i.e. backyards). Not to mention declining numbers of other already protected species in the Glades.

Small snakes turn into big snakes. It is a fact of life. Unless you are prepared to keep a non-native species in captivity, don't let it get that far. The worst thing possible is to release it into the wild. By letting the snake live, you are killing off a number of native animals that are already here. It is bad enought with the iguanas and aquarium fish that get released into the waterways.

I saw a fishing show where they were catching Oscars (South American tropical fish kept in aquariums) in the canals there in FLA. 2-3 pounds at least and they are a very aggressive fish capable of wiping out some of the native species.
Just ask Hawaiian's about the mongoose and wild hogs wiping out native birds and vegetation.

My good friend growing up had 2 boas and a python. He also had a caiman that he bought in the pet department at Lazarus (a department store chain). (Try to find one these days in a (Macys) He kept the caiman in a baby pool and had the snakes in aquariums. We handled the snakes often and took the caiman walking on a leash in the yard until he got too big. The kid worked at Petland to pay for his "addiction" and became a vet! These animals kept us from getting into drugs and other trouble (at least until we got older)

Pets are great for people who understand the species and it's needs. They teach kids responsibility and are a godsend to the lonely. I do however feel that certain pets are not fitted for most people and should be left to zoo keepers. Most snakes now are born in captivity so taking them out of the wild is not an issue. I do feel that measures will have to be taken to keep more of these exotic animals from being released into areas where they can survive the climate and become a major problem. A couple of high profile cases: Asian/silver (jumping) carp in the Mississippi and the zebra mussel in the great lakes.

[Sam]

They make good pets, but get big!! Feeding consists of large insects and small rodents at that size probably.

If you're up to the task, it would be a good pet. I'd get it checked for disease by a vet first.

This is one of the few times that I will disagree with BB. IMHO, snakes are not pets. They are wild animals and can never be domesticated. Not only that, it is not right to keep an 8 foot snake in a 125 gallon fish tank.

They do make good pets most Boas and pythons are captive born in the states and adapt very well to leaving in aquariums.

If I had no choice and had to live in my bedroom for the rest of my life, I could adapt as well but I would not like it or be comfortable.

Snakes are not neccessarily wild animals..... many are bred in captivity... and sold.
Their brain capacity may not be large, then again neither is the brain of left wing socialists/extremists.......at least snakes are far easier to deal with and take care of, and far more predictable in their behavior.

As far as living in a glass "cage" most snakes don't really seem to care. Afterall what else would they know is out there? If all you knew was your room, you might dream of something else but you would not know for sure. The snake I keep seems quite content in his living space and I handle him/her from time to time. It has never once tried to bite me or act aggressive in anyway. I do not think snakes brains are anywhere near close to the level of humans, so I leave it up to individuals to think as they will, of what snakes must think about....after all do the same individuals think about what fish or anemonies or corals think about, while they spend thier entire life inside an aquarium???

I do not recommend snakes as pets for everyone, anymore than I would recommend that everyone should own anything else,....unless they are knowlegable and self reliant.......well perhaps other than some much suggested knowledge...( That may well be something different that I would/could recommend........)

Snakes may be considered wild animals by some.......but then again so were dogs...at one time.... is it possible to domesticate a reptile?? Perhaps not, and perhaps it depends on who one asks....... I don't really know....nor have I asked anyone about it as the answer and the question never really bothered me. I have other more important things to think of and to consider.

I know of many species of snakes ( and other critters) to be beneficial to maintaining a healthy enviroment and sustainable ecosystem.

As to releasing non native speicies into the wild.... I am totally against it nor do I approve such. I forget where it was, but some bozo released Vietnamese Hissing Cockroahes into the wild when told he had to get rid of them... (Someone wants to keep cockroaches for pets??? )
One can look at Austrailia and rabbits and cane toads and see just what can happen..... Flathead catfish are becoming a concern in the local area here......I could give numerous other examples if needed. Personally I feel, people that release such "exotic critters" should be eliminated from the gene pool as soon as possible.

As for snakes, there is an indigo snake ( Look it up yourself, if you are interested....) that stays nearby. I think it is the longest snake native to North America, I could be wrong on that..... It is a highly protected and endangered speicies. I do not bother it.....It does not bother me, nor any of the other critters..........anyone caught messing with it will be prosecuted as best as I can push the issue, with prosecutor and the goverment and endangering a federally and state protected species.

Want to keep a snake? Fine do so............that is your choice...
But I will HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you found "that baby" in your apartment or yard.... to "Be On the Look Out" ( BOLO ) for others. Either it escaped or someone lost or released a breeding pair or a bred female escaped into the wild.


If you deside to keep the snake...........go to a pet store an ask them for some "pinkies"... tell them what you have... ALSO put a shallow dish or pan with water in it for the snake into the "cage" and ask them about it's needs..... you might want to take the snake with you...put it in a pillow case...and see what they can tell you.

I dunno what else I can tell you but PM and I will see what we can figure out or if I can help you, if you want........

[NYCPORT]

Can you post a clearer picture of the snake. From what I could see it looked like a corn snake to me.
As far as keeping it I'll give you two pieces of advice. First get it to eat dead mice. Live mice can harm the snake while stuggling or running around the snakes tank. It also make it much easier to store them in the freezer when it's feeding time.
Second make sure you get something to cover the tank and then have clips or somesort of other device to keep the lid in place or someone else might 'find' your new friend in thier apartment!

[rednekkPH]

First get it to eat dead mice.

Forget mice, train it to eat the neighbor's cats.

[buffettbride]

First get it to eat dead mice.

Forget mice, train it to eat the neighbor's cats.

That's what hubby wants to do with our snake. And we have lots of bunnies in the neighborhood.

Our snake currently gets two large rats every 3 weeks. Matt buys them live and bangs them on the head and then feeds them to the snake dead, so they won't hurt the snake.

Once a rat got into the enclosure before it was smacked upside the head and scratched our snake's head and he got an infection. Applying antibiotic creme to a boa constrictor is an adventure.

Oh yeah...and our snake was bred to be a pet, not born in the wild, so it's never known anything other than an aquarium.