Friday Photo: Snake in the House

Posted By Joshua Keating Friday, November 6, 2009 - 7:07 PM Share

George Horne, Deputy Executive Director of Operations & Maintenance Resources, rolls out a preserved Burmese Python which was captured in Miami-Dade County, Florida, during a hearing before the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill November 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. The hearing was focused on H.R. 2811, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

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GRANT

5:44 PM ET

November 8, 2009

Wow, spammers have even less

Wow, spammers have even less shame these days.
To the point, I wonder how many jokes that got afterwards.

 

MXCM428

2:38 AM ET

November 27, 2009

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DAVID ACAI

3:21 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Now That's a Big Snake

It is really scary to think that snake was running around loose. I live in Texas and don't see big snakes like that, but we certainly have our share of poisonous snakes. Not sure which is worse.

Dave
My Blog

 

DAVID ACAI

3:22 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Now That's a Big Snake

It is really scary to think that snake was running around loose. I live in Texas and don't see big snakes like that, but we certainly have our share of poisonous snakes. Not sure which is worse.

Dave
My Blog

 

WINGHAND

8:04 PM ET

December 3, 2009

Re: That's a Big Snake

Burmese Pythons aren't small, but as Burmese go, they get much bigger than that. I have several snakes, including two pythons (although not Burmese--I prefer to keep pets that can't kill me). Snakeskin stretches about 30% and is not an accurate judge of a living snake's size.

What's really sad about this story is that not only are the reptiles being released where they don't belong (and thriving to the detriment of the locals), but it's human stupidity that led to the situation, and it makes those of us who ARE responsible reptile owners look bad. People should always, always, ALWAYS research an animal's natural history and needs before acquiring one.

I'm all for private ownership of exotics as long as the owner/potential owner can display knowledge of proper husbandry and (if necessary) responsible safety protocols in case of emergency. How many people at a reptile show going home with the cute little snake with a head the size of their finger actually know it will grow up to be longer than their SUV and be able to eat the neighbor's Akita?

This bill worries me as a reptile owner because it does not make a distinction between Burmese Pythons (the ones causing the most trouble in Florida) and the many other species of pythons/boids in the pet trade, several of which make excellent, SAFE pets. (I've kept ball pythons for decades with absolutely NO harm done whatsoever.) It attempts to circumvent the public opinion process and scientific study involved with a US Fish & Wildlife environmental assessment, instead going for the fear tactic. "THIS snake is doing all this damage to the ecosystem, so thusly ALL snakes are bad." It's faulty reasoning, same as the misinformation spouted by HSUS and PETA. I wish PIJAC the best in combating it.

 

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