Snakes as 'Pets'
from
Thomas Eimermacher (Nightflight99)
on
September 1, 2000
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As the keeping of reptiles in general becomes increasingly popular, people frequently inquire about keeping snakes as pets. Often either a media presentation such as a television show or a friend who is keeping snakes wakes the interest of the non-herper. Unfortunately, most people do not know much about reptiles, and simply believe what they are told by the media and pet stores. The result has been a drastic increase in impulse purchases, in which the buyer is excited by the sole view or presence of the animal, without having the necessary knowledge and experience that many snakes require to be kept responsibly. While in the past many boids have suffered from being acquired by the general public, with the increasing popularity of venomous snakes, impulse purchases have become a valid threat to the venomous community as well, as the common misconception of snakes as 'pets' by the general public continues.
The generally accepted definition of a pet is, an animal kept for companionship, interest, or amusement. While the interest towards reptiles surely feeds the herper's addiction to this great hobby, many people see in a pet more of a companion, similar to that of a man's best friend. This is easily illustrated, since this is part of the very reason that many others cannot even imagine keeping a reptile, as the pseudo-emotional bond that is sought appears to be absent. All of us have heard the question before, So what do you do with those snakes? The traditional view of a pet is therefore much more one that views the animal as companion, friend, and entertainer. Domesticated animals such as dogs, cats, and even some birds fit therefore perfectly in this common picture. These animals can become truly tame, and are able to distinguish their owner from other people in a way that makes them quite perfect as companions.
Snakes do not fit into this scheme of a perfectly suitable `pet'. Although there are some species that apparently are able to distinguish their owners, most snakes are not able to do so, or, if they are, appear to have no interest in doing so. They are also not social, and apart from the exercise do not appreciate being handled. The idea that snakes can be tamed in a way that would make them suitable to roam around freely is not uncommon, and has resulted in a number of accidents in the last few years. In addition, along with the personification of these animals comes the danger of letting down one's sense of safety and security manners when handling the snakes or doing maintenance in or around the enclosures. Especially keepers of large boids and venomous species can unintentionally place themselves in harm's way by getting too relaxed around their `pets'. Most experienced keepers know that the true danger lies not in the knowingly aggressive snake, but in the `almost tame' specimen, that is just having a bad-scale day. There is absolutely no room for error in these cases, and it just takes a split-second of not being concentrated for what can be a bitter price to pay. It is absolutely crucial for novices and entry-level keepers to understand that snakes are still wild animals, as precious and beautiful as they may be. Snakes are truly instinctive creatures, and never really lose this trait even after years in captivity. Although these facts are widely understood by the herping community, every once in a while the odds catch up, and someone is harmed or even killed by a so-called `pet' snake for this exact reason.
Unfortunately, every accident has potentially severe consequences, not only for the harmed individual, but also for the entire snake keeping community through legal bans and restrictions that are passed as a result of negative publicity. We must therefore be sure to help especially novice keepers, and promote a better understanding of snakes and reptiles in general. As much as we need the public's appreciation of these animals, it should be clear that this appreciation has to be based on knowledge as much as it is based on the simple fascination induced by their sole appearance to so many people.
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by therealbirddog on September 11, 2000
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A very well-written article. Has this been pblished? These thoughts need to be read by the general public. Responsibility and clear, comprehensive thinking are two important keys to successful snake keeping and care.
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Snakes as 'Pets'
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by CASCABELLADONNA on January 27, 2001
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I COULDN'T POSSIBLY AGREE MORE WITH THIS ARTICLE. WHEN ASKED THE "WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THOSE SNAKES..." QUESTION I CAREFULLY EXPLAIN MY DEFINITION OF PET. MY PERSONAL DEFINITION OF A PET IS AN ANIMAL THAT IS INTERESTING AND CAN BE LEARNED FROM. NOW ON THE SUBJECT OF DOGS AND CATS: THOSE ARE "FRIENDS", NOT ENTIRELY FITTING MY OWN DEFINITION OF "PET". THIS SEEMS TO PERPLEX SOME PEOPLE; SO WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I BASICALLY JUST TELL THEM THAT THE HOTS ARE NOT TOYS--NO NEED TO TOUCH AS THEY NEED NO LOVE.DOGS AND CATS MAKE BETTER TOYS:) ON IMPULSE BUYS---NOT MUCH TO BE SAID FOR THE PERSON WHO JUST JUMPS ON IN, BUT THEN AGAIN--THAT'S A LARGE PORTION OF FOLKS WHO VISIT THIS SITE. LOTS OF US "JUST JUMPED INTO" HOTS AND LEARNED AS WE WENT ALONG. WHEN IT COMES TO LEARNING HOTS, I THINK 2 THINGS COME INTO PLAY THE HEAVIEST: WRITTEN REFERENCE AND COMMON SENSE! I'M NOT DISCOUNTING THE IMPORTANCE AT ALL OF A MENTOR---JUST SAYING THAT THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MOST OF THE BEGINNERS.
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by vettesherps on February 4, 2001
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I strongly with the article written. My snakes are not truely pets in the sense believed by the public. When asked why I have them I explain that the future of them is in the hands of all of those who keep them. With thousands of acres of natual habitat being destroyed daily these animals will soon become extinct or at the very least endangered and some day their childrens only chance to see these magnificnet animals is through keepers like us. I explain that wouldn't it have been great if someone had thought enough of the passenger pidgeon to have kept some as pets. Maybe they would still exist today. I hope in my heart that the same thing doesn't happen to these animals that I love and am fasinated by but one can never know what the future holds. The other question I hear most often is do they bite. I tell them yes they do not all the time but they are wild animals and can bite at any time. I tell them I am not afraid of them but I do respect them and try not to do things to aggitate them. Once again Your article should be mandatory reading for not just the public but many keepers and for sure all pet stores.
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Snakes as 'Pets'
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by nosnakes on February 15, 2001
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This was an excellent article. Snakes fascinate me, but I won't get within 100 feet of one, knowingly. Isn't that strange? Anyway, I am so glad someone wrote such a good article about keeping snakes, hot or otherwise. I wish the PETA people would get as riled up about mistreated herps as they do cows and chickens.
Even though I am not a snake-lover, I hate to see any animal mistreated, or mishandled due to ignorance. One of the most glaring examples of this is a gentleman who lives about 30 miles from my town. He is in the business of rescuing herps no one wants. Mostly, he saves large boids, most notably a 22-foot reticulated python found in a rural part of a nearby county. Someone had obviously decided the animal was too much for them and turned it loose. A local newspaper did an article about him, and he discussed the need for ample space for such large animals. Like a living-room sized enclosure.
There have been some 9 and 10-foot boids escape in my state in the past couple of years. Fortunately, they were found before anyone was injured.
Nevertheless, it highlights the complete ignorance of some people who think they can keep an animal that size in a fish tank! One person lost his 9-foot albino python, and when it was found, the paper did an article. Hw showed the reporter a 100-gallon tank where he kept the animal. The poor thing hardly had enough room to turn around in, much less be comfortable. I'd leave, too.
In conclusion, I think that the responsible herp keepers are a great group of people. I don't understand why they would want to keep snakes (hot or otherwise), but they do a terrific job of emphasizing the absolute necessity for giving these creatures the best care possible. They emphasize that the creatures' well-being and public safety comes first.
These guys aren't pets and it is a mistake to think of them as such.
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RE: Snakes as 'Pets'
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by 91C2 on April 30, 2004
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This article is rather old, yet still, the question remains: Are they truly pets???
I think they can be pets in every sense of the word. Pet are kept for companionship, entertainment, or amusement. They are kept for all of the above reasons.
I have a boa that I have had for 11 years. The snake has entertained and amused me. But, it has also been a companion. I do not take it every where I go. In fact, it has only had one road trip in its life. But, it does not try to escape from me, or its cage.
I have a tree in my yard that is sournded by no other. I put the snake in the tree while I do my yard work or piddle with my truck or motorcycle. That snake has spent many days in that tree. I check on it many time throughout the day and it is always there.
Venomous snakes are obviously different. They cannot be pets, as they cannot be trusted to not bite.
But, a long term captive boa or python can be regarded as a pet and even develope a working relationship with the keeper. It is a matter of trust, time, and mutual respect.
My retic was a fantastic pet, all 22 ft of her. Never bit, never tried. She loved going to the park for excercise. People would come and pet her. She was a pet, not a captive wild animal. She broke all the rules of a retic's behaviour, gentle and docile. Even the staff at Dr. Rossi's office were amazed by her gentle demeanor.
What made the difference???? I was holding her egg when she hatched, I spent time, alot of time, with her. Before, and after, she ate, I spent time with her. She knew I was no threat to her and I knew she posed none to me. A mutual trust was established early and followed through with. When she died, at 9 years old, I was there, holding her head in my hand and she stared at me until her last breath was drawn. I loved her from the begining to the end, and she trusted me.
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RE: Snakes as 'Pets'
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by gnomeman316 on June 21, 2004
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I have a brooksi kingsnake. I purchessed him at a reptile show two years ago. I belive that he is a good pet. when I open his cage he comes to me and dosen't try to get away. He is never agressive, unless you are a rat, and likes everyone. He will even put up with my 5 year old brother holding him. If you ask me, this is a pet.
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Snakes as 'Pets'
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by Gentlemantw0 on November 20, 2004
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I almost entirely agree with this article. The only thing I do not agree with is the part about snakes not liking being handled. I agree that there are many snakes that prefer not to be handled but there are some that seem not to mind. In fact, I have kept a few snakes that I would call sociable. My best example would be of a reticulated python I had several years ago. The male wanted nothing to do with people but the female on the other hand almost seemed friendly. She was about 14' at the time so I would take her out so she could exercise a little several times a week. I would allow her to explore whatever room I was in and nearly every time she would wind up by me or on me. Many times she would come and coil and the edge of the couch by my feet and sit for hours. Is this truly signs of enjoying my company? I suppose that's up to you, but if you ask me, it certainly was.
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RE: Snakes as Pets
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by RedrumRattle on January 30, 2005
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I couldn't agree more with this statement. I own a 5' Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake that I almost didn't live long enough to find out the hard way. One day while cleaning out "Klauth's" pen I thought he was asleep inside his box. In a rush I did not relocate him to his secondary pen as normal and went about cleaning his pen. Only to have him strike at my hand. Now I have observed Klauth before and realized that he either has a problem with his glands, or is just mean because he often injects everything he has much like a baby. Had he been successful in striking me and giving me al he had. Not even a person of my size and number of bites from other specimens would have survived it. Luckily I at least had remembered to wear my kevlar glove. (Designed for use in cleaning meat and sandwhich slicers) While he did not get through the glove he left a sizeable stream of venom on its exterior.
This was the same snake that I had often handled in much the same way one does a ball python. To say the least I do not do that anymore. I have gone so far as to design and build a new pen which allows to me to feed him, water him, and even clean his cage while keeping both of us isolated from each other.
It involves a trapdoor system for feeding and watering, and has a "security lockdown" to keep him contained while I clean up his cage. Because I do not intend to give him the chance to kill me the next time he is having a bad day.
While I cannot do it for free because of the cost involved, I would be glad to discuss the building of one of these pens for anyone who thinks they need one, I will do so as cheaply as possible simply so we do not lose any owners to snakes. And any snakes to authorities who put the "dangerously aggressive" animal down.
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by MoccasinMan on February 12, 2005
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Snakes as pets? I would be very careful in dealing with the general public refering to snakes as pets. Due to the influence of pop culture and historical stereotypes, (based in almost complete ignorance)it is irresponsable to refer to these magnificent, somtimes dangerous creatures in such a casual way.
That said, some of the snakes I keep are "PETS" to me. I have had both Boas and Pythons that were so 'dog tame' I would trust them around my small children (closely supervised at all times of course). Great respect and unwaivering vigelance is the rule especially when dealing with large serpents in the enclosure. My "PET" snakes once they are out and being handled are fine and interesting companions.
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by longtooth on November 9, 2005
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great artical really should be required reading.My name is coy and i have read alot of stuff from you guys and you are all pretty well schooled.I myself have been keeping hots for 25 yrs but i had a great teacher my dad, he taught me the most important word when dealing with venomous snakes is respect for what and as he said and who you are dealing with.I try to talk young folks out of keeping these animals no experiance turns into a bad first lesson.I have been bitten only once by a cane and guess what one moment of getting lax cost a lot so newbies listen up not preaching just telling you if ya got to do it, please find someone to teach you right again great artical later guys coy longtooth
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by Crotalusssp on October 24, 2006
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There has been numerous occasions I have tried to relate the very facts you state in your article. Nice work.
Charles B. (Crotalusssp)
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by MeToo on July 24, 2007
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I don't know why anyone would think that this should be "required reading" for the general public-WE'RE not the ones who desire to keep venomous snakes, and WE'RE not the ones who would, in the main, consider them as "pets". To the contrary, I would say. The general public does NOT consider venomous snakes (spiders, scorpions, etc) or large constricters as "pets". You may recall that many hot snake keepers often have disdain for the "general public" asking why anyone would even want to keep such animals, much less consider them "pets".
Why do some venomous snake keepers, especially those who keep exotic (non-native) venomous snakes-as the ones introducing the snake (and the danger) into the community, think that the onus is on the public to "understand"? I like to read and learn about snakes, I find them quite interesting-from a distance. I can't say that I especially like them, but I find them interesting. I have no desire to seek them out to harm them-I don't want any interaction with them at all, if I can help it--and I would have to go a good bit out of way to ever even see most of these animals, much less have any interaction with them ( I don't expect to ever see a cobra or mamba in my yard, but with the rise of "hot" snake keeping, I'm starting to wonder!!!) I'm sure if the snakes could know this, they would thank me for not wanting to ever interfere with them in any way.
So just what is it that the general public needs to know about venomous snakes, especially exotic ones, other than to leave them alone? YOU'RE the ones owning them, importing them, etc-YOU'RE the ones who need to know-that they're not pets, that you need to make sure they can't endanger the general public, and how to take care of them. After that, if the general public chooses to learn more, it's a choice, not a requirement. The requirement is on you, as the ones who love snakes and want to keep.
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by agibail009 on September 22, 2007
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Venomous snakes can definitely not be kept as pets. However, non-venomous snakes can definietly be kept as pets. I've owned many snakes in the past and none of them have ever even threatened to attack me as long as I treated them with the respect they deserve as animals.
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by RTC on January 23, 2009
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I totally agree with you that many people out there are under educated about how to responsibly keep a snake. Many people out there think that it is very easy to care for a snake, but they do not realize that it takes time and responsibility to properly care for a snake; especially the kind that can pose a threat to your life if not taken seriously and responsibly. Being a responsible and respectful owner of any snake can save your life or anyone elses when taking care of a snake. Yes, snakes can be bought at almost every pet store, you should seriously consider where you live and how big of a snake you want to get. You also need to consider how big the snake is going to get before you buy one so that it will not outgrow its cage or the room it is in. Yes some people may see that snakes are not good pets because if they escape, they can be harmful to smaller pets, that is really the only threat, the snake getting out of its cage. But I still think that snakes make great pets if the owner is responsible, and well educated about the snake they want to buy.
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snakes as pets
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by atrox56 on July 2, 2009
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I have read your article with great interest and I think it was very well written. I have to comment on it from a different point of view though. First I am sure that some people will have a field day with my comment but I ask that you remain calm until I have finished my study and then you can scoff at the results.
In mid 1998 I read an article about the late Grace Olive Whiley who tamed a vast number of venomous snakes. I was intrigued and wanted to find out more because I believed they were either venomoids or drugged. I read all I could get my hands on and called several friends who had knowledge of her and soon found out that all of her animals were in fact "Hot"! How could this be possible? On October 16th 1998 I decided to write a paper on "Why venomous snakes bite"! I have been studying snakes and various reptiles since 1973 and have always had a passion for these misunderstood marvels of nature. I (like most) would never think of touching a non restrained venomous snake as over the years I have had a total of 37 bites and they are not fun. How did Grace do it? Did she have an atmosphere about her the snakes could see or smell and this calmed them? There were so many questions and too few answers. I have the usual variety of snakes in my Lab. EDB's, Cobras, tree vipers, copperheads and the like. On June 18, 2002 I picked a male copperhead (named Felix) to be my test animal. This snake was given a life that I would like to live. His every need was taken care of, A spotless habitat, food every seven days like clock work, fresh water twice a day, Temperature variants and several other comforts. I was with this snake constantly, I talked with him for hours a day. I have well over 2.000 pages of text for this experiment alone that lasted a year. On January 04, 2003 I decided to test Felix and see if my kindness and extra attention and care had in fact rendered him not fearful of me. I gritted my teeth, reached in and picked him up. Now you have to understand that I have always been a staunch supporter of the "Don't touch that snake club" ! and here, I was doing what I had preached to people for years, not to do. The snake was calm, placid and never once flinched as I moved about for 73 minutes. My wife came, saw what I waas holding, and I had to calm her down. I might have carried that snake all day if my wife had not entered the room.
Now! One snake does not a scientific break through make. Maybe the snake was tired, maybe it was sick, maybe it just had a soar jaw and did not want to bite at that time? I don't know but it did not bite me and I had to find out if Grace was realy onto something that might just be normal and no one but she, had realized it?
I picked two other species, a White lipped tree viper (Anna) and another copperhead (Toni). To make a long story short, I now have 18 venomous species of snakes that I am able to freely pick up, place on a table and clean their habitat and replace them with out the use of a hook. My wife Janice is my biggest critic and no one can say to me, what I have not heard from her, but she still admits that it is a mystery. I contend that it is not a mystery at all and I have the notes and the animals to prove it.
The last part of my experiment has not begun yet as I am still on the accepting phase of the project. I have no idea as to how my animals would respond if someone other then myself were to pick them up? I have yet to figure out how to accomplish this task, but that is in the future. As I said earlier, I have always been against wannabes gaining attention by ending up in an ICU ward after playing with a venomous snake. My experiment went horribly array when Felix accepted me, I had intended on proving exactly what I had always believed and that was snakes can not be tamed. Please hold back on the insults, we are supposed to be professionals here. I have been handling reptiles since 1973 and there has never been 48 hours since then that have passed without my hands being placed upon a snake. I have contributed several papers on the subject of snakes to the Herp community and have always given others the benefit of the doubt, when I was not sure of their results on an unusual experiment. My findings are just am much a surprise to me as they might be to you people but facts do not lie. Now I do not allow venomous animals run around my home, I do not carry them in public, nor are they appearing on "those amazing animals". This was a well defined study with unusual as well as unexpected results. I am willing to prove all of my statements at any time, to anyone who matters, that includes people of this club as well as the general scientific community.
Venomous snakes are not the wan ten, dangerous animals that most would want us to believe they are. Dangerous in the wrong hands? YES!! will they defends their lives? YES do they want to bite humans? NO.
All I ask is that you look at my study with an open mind, as it is far from complete and you only have my findins to date.
Thank you
Joel T. La Rocque
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by MeToo on July 3, 2009
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"Dangerous in the wrong hands"? Are you serious? Any hands are the "wrong" hands for free-handling a venomous snake. Do you know how Grace Olive Whiley died? From a snakebite.
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