One of my students has a 5'9" python, which she allows to run loose in her one-bedroom apartment. The snake has broken the leg of a maintenance man in her apartment. How important is it, in general, that a big snake be kept in a cage? Could the snake turn on its owner at any second? Or might the snake really form a bond with the owner, as dogs do?
2007-01-20 15:46:05 · 18 answers · asked by Laurie H 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
A cage is VERY important. Not due to the fact that the snake has harmed a person before but because they require specific temperatures and humidity that can not be acquired from being loose. They need a warm side and a cool side. So unless she keeps her apartment at a minimum of 80 degrees F with a heat source of around 90+ degrees F this is not healthy for the snake. Not to mention the fact that most snakes need a minimum humidity level of around 50%.
As for the question on do they form a bond with the owners. The answer is no. Snakes do not have the higher brain capacity to think in terms of love, trust, friendship, etc. They merely tolerate us handling them. Their brains are very primal. As long as we don't hurt them then we are not a threat and we are not small enough to be food. So therefore they don't really care that we exist.
Also as others have pointed out a 5'9" python isn't a large snake.
2007-01-22 03:05:43 · answer #1 · answered by T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is wrong on so many levels. Here's why snakes should be kept caged the vast majority of the time.....
Any animal that can cause harm to a person should be restrained from doing so at all times. If a person decides they want to keep a potentially dangerous animal, it is their responsibility to assure that if anyone is harmed by it, it is their own dumb selves.
Snakes are reknowned escape artists, back in the day, we had a 13 foot burmese python, had at least 6 other tanks stacked on top of hers, and she would STILL get out. (nearly killed a few other snakes in the process, too...) If it gets out of the apartment, THEN WHAT?
Depending on where this is, the snake gets OUTSIDE and can do great (especially here in FL.) Then it becomes a threat not only to NATIVE wildlife, but to people's pets. This also leads to people having absolute **** conniptions, trust me, I've seen it.
Snakes are NOT domesticated animals, and DO NOT form a bond with their owners. Yes, your snake might be most comfortable with you, but if you startle it or accidently hurt it, it WILL let you know in a painful manner. The only reason your snake reacts to you in a positive manner is because you are the one who feeds it.
Edited to add......
It was late last night when I posted, and there was something else I wanted to bring up. There's another question further down the line that some guy's lost his 10 foot python in his apartment, if it's this easy for one THAT large to get lost, think how much easier for a 5 1/2 footer, and I agree, this snake is not big enough to break someone's leg UNLESS they were so scared of it that they fell and broke it on something else. Another reason to keep it caged.
Crushing injuries are common on loose reptiles as well, got a recliner? What if the snake's up in it when you go to recline? What if you step on it late at night on your way to the bathroom? Oh, this goes on and on. Get or make a cage for your snake, I don't care what kind or size the snake is, it should have a secure enclosure for the safety of itself and others.....
2007-01-20 16:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me turn this question around- the snake has caused someone to be injured, and you want to know if that was okay? Does anyone (other than me) sense LAWSUIT here???
If your student owned this home, then she could claim the right to let her snake run (crawl?) free. But the fact than there was an injury involved, brings in more issues.
1) Is there a pet policy at your school/city (it's not clear if this took place on school property)? Some schools restrict pets to nothing that can't be kept in a 10 gallon-sized aquarium. There are dog laws that require animals to be leashed (or in the case of hunting dogs) UNDER THE CONTROL OF THEIR OWNERS AT ALL TIMES! This clearly wasn't the case here. Some municipalities do not allow certain reptiles to be kept because of past problems with irresponsible pet owners.
2) Whether the snake "bonds" with it's owner is irrelevant. She clearly can't control it's actions around others. And yes, snakes are unpredictable.
3) What happens if she's in class and someone has to let a utility person into the apartment? Not everyone likes snakes (especially with free run of the house). If no one knows that the snake is loose, and someone sees or injures it, will she/her parents sue the apartment owner?
If local laws/rules allow her to keep a snake of that size, it should be under lock and key in a cage, unless she is in the apartment with the doors and windows closed!
btw: Before everyone brands me as a snake-hater, I currently own 7, including an 8 foot red-tailed boa, but I do so RESPONSIBLY.
2007-01-20 16:08:39 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've had my ball python since it was a hatchling. I feel rather confident saying it's well bonded to me after 6 years. He has never struck at anyone and my 2 year old has handled him fairly rough at times. However different types of snakes have different tempers.
I did have a 9 1/2 ft burmese at one time who wasn't as lovable. Most people who have larger snakes do allow them to roam more freely. Typically confined to one room. I wouldn't recommend a large snake to have full freedom anywhere in the home. Especially while I was sleeping. Even dogs have instinct that can take over at any time. I personally would prefer to be awake if that was to ever happen.
2007-01-20 19:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by ambrat419 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only is it hazardous to her it is also bad for the snake, the snake needs a heat source and it shouldn't be loose because it could get out and hurt someone else. It could also kill her in her slept, it's a natural instint to constrict if it feels a pulse. We had a very sweet 10 ft burmese python who never bit anyone but if she got around your neck it was bad.
2007-01-21 18:06:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that snakes for bonds but they do feel more comfortable around their owners. I think that the snake should be kept caged at all times.
2007-01-20 16:08:46 · answer #6 · answered by Tasha 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! A snake needs a secure, locked enclosure for it's safety. And I seriously doubt it broke anyone's leg, especially that small of a snake (yes, he is a small snake). Snakes don't 'turn on' people, despite what the media reports. People that get 'attacked' by snakes are being careless, probably during feeding.
I think your student is telling you stories, frankly.
2007-01-20 16:12:45 · answer #7 · answered by neo_maxi_zoon_dweeby 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
it is not safe to let snakes free in an apartment i saw a show about people who owned snakes and they let them free in their homes and the snakes did some damage and snakes also will turn on their owners that happens a lot of the time some breeds of dogs will do that to.
2007-01-20 15:54:38 · answer #8 · answered by skylar_18878 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Snakes are not smart. They are instinctive. They will bite anything they think is food or bite anything they think will hurt them. Even their owner if they make a bad move.
They do need to be in tanks for their safety and the safety of others. She is being cruel to them if she lets them roam around their apt. She is very lucky she has not lost everything she has when they caused the maintenance man to get hurt.
2007-01-20 15:58:41 · answer #9 · answered by Trollkepr 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have 2 pythons i keep them in cages cuz they can turn on you its not good for her to let it loose because if it bites someone and they report it then some people like animal control officers or something can come out and take it
2007-01-20 22:20:41 · answer #10 · answered by basketballrules420 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋