The giant snake debate
Giant snakes have been kept as pets for centuries, but the market for them has been relatively small until recently. Reticulated Pythons are the world’s longest snake species, and they’ve been growing in popularity over the last few years. The species can easily reach 15 feet long, with the largest ever recorded being over 25 feet long. But why are they becoming popular, and should they be kept as pets? Reptile retail expert Tony Jones explains why these beautiful and interesting creatures are coming to a store near you.
The Big Four
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
Burmese Python (Python molurus sub sp)
African Rock Python (Python sebae)
There’s no denying that giant snakes are impressive, but their sheer size and husbandry requirements has meant that few pet owners have considered keeping them. However, that was before the growing trend in designer snakes began, attracting a whole new breed of customer to be interested in one giant snake in particular – the Reticulated Python.
It began in the early 1990s with the first ever breeding of an albino Burmese Python by American herpetologist Bob Clarke. Some of the babies from Clarke’s first clutch of albino Burms came to the UK and were bred by the late greats of UK reptile keeping, Dave Lester and John Foden. The injection of these snakes worth many thousands of pounds into an already growing reptile hobby market created a huge buzz and the race was on to find the next new thing. That next new thing happened in the early parts of the new millennium and turned out to be the biggest and most lucrative boost the reptile pet trade has ever seen. Designer Royal Pythons became available in a bewildering array of colour and pattern mutations and a lot of people made a lot of money by breeding beautiful versions of what is an otherwise very boring snake. Reaching lengths of around 5-6 feet, Royals are not the most active of reptiles and spend much of their time hiding. Nevertheless, the newly available morphs were being sold for many thousands of pounds to people who wanted to keep and breed these spectacular examples of ‘living art’.
The Royal Python boom has largely abated and many of the varieties that would formerly have cost big bucks are now available for a fraction of the price. However, the market for designer snakes has spread beyond the moderately sized Royal Python, making mutations of other species desirable too. Enter the designer Reticulated Python.
The Rise of the Reticulated Python
There’s a big difference between a Royal Python and a Reticulated Python, most notably their size. While a Royal will reach around 5 or 6 feet, a Retic will typically reach 15 feet or more. The designer colour morphs of Reticulated Pythons are equally as beautiful as those created for Royal Pythons, so it is easy to see why they’re becoming popular. But we should not lose sight of the fact that the Reticulated Python is a giant snake capable of causing significant problems for an unwary or untrained keeper. Although most generic pet shops are unlikely to stock Retics, it is important that, as an industry, the pet trade is aware and considerate of the risks involved with keeping giant snakes and that we are giving appropriate advice to customers.
Reptiles are one of the safest pets to keep, coming in just slightly higher than aquarium fish in terms of risk. Accident and Emergency statistics showed just 74 instances of reptile related injury logged in 2011-2012. During the same period there were 6,640 hospital admissions for dog bites and 2,738 bites from other mammals. With there being around as many reptile pets as dogs in the UK, it's reassuring proof that reptiles are statistically safe and injuries are highly unlikely compared with other pet animals.
In the real world, these low statistics are largely due to self-regulation within the industry and the sensible approach to risk shown by keepers. Keeping giant snakes requires no licence or regulation, proving that self-regulation is the sole reason for the low incidence of injuries. The risks inherent in keeping large pythons are minimal and easily negated by safe husbandry practices. Most of those who keep large constrictors are experienced hobbyists with the requisite expertise as the size, expense and inconvenience of owning a large snake is enough to discourage those without the necessary skills. Specialist stores are well positioned to cater for this market sector and are well versed in vetting potential customers to ensure they have what it takes to keep them safely and responsibly. Generic retailers can be expected to display a similar level of consideration when selling these animals.
Conditioned feeding responses
One common reason why some keepers are bitten by their pet snake is due to a husbandry error known as ‘conditioned feeding response’. This occurs when the keeper conditions the snake to expect food when the door of the enclosure is opened. With large snakes this issue is particularly problematic and particularly dangerous, and all efforts to avoid this conditioning should be employed.
The problem usually occurs when keepers reduce the amount of time they spend handling their animal, while at the same time only entering the enclosure to feed their snake. Soon the snake begins to associate the opening of the enclosure door with mealtime. This is OK, until the day when the keeper wishes to handle or move the snake. The door is opened, the snake expects food, but instead, the keepers hand enters the enclosure. This is how bites occur through conditioned feeding response.
Avoiding this conditioned response is easy. Many keepers will not feed their snake inside the enclosure in which they are kept, thereby removing the inclination to feed in that environment. It is also useful to handle the snake regularly, thereby conditioning the snake to understand that there are many reasons why the door of the enclosure might be opened. It is also a good idea to alert the snake to your presence before entering the enclosure. Touching the snake with a hook, stick or other implement will let the snake know you’re there and to expect interaction of some type.
Negating the risks
Many things in this world are dangerous, from driving a car to climbing a ladder. Common sense, courtesy and a few easy to follow rules seem to negate most of the risks inherent in the vast majority of activities. Keeping giant snakes is no different. These guidelines from the Federation of British Herpetologists provide retailers and prospective owners with a sensible code of practice.
1. Start small
Buying a young snake is recommended, particularly for those new to keeping large constrictors. Understanding the temperament of your particular animal is an important part of keeping large snakes and this learning process is easier to manage whilst snake is still small.
2. Always keep large constrictors in secure, lockable vivariums
A locked vivarium will stop children, other pets and unauthorised adults from getting in, and will stop your large snake from getting out. Make sure that the enclosure is also suitably robust as large snakes are exceptionally strong.
3. Never interact with large constrictors when reactions are impaired
Most of the recorded accidents with large snakes occurred when the handler is under the influence of alcohol or otherwise impaired. Prescription drugs, recreational drugs, tiredness and illness can also impair your ability to safely handle your animal.
4. Never feed large constrictors without another adult present
Problems are unlikely if handlers apply good husbandry procedures, but in the unlikely event of a bite and/or a constriction, the assistance of another person will stop the problem from escalating.
5. Never allow unsupervised minors to handle large constrictors
Children love snakes, but it is sensible to never allow unsupervised contact with large constrictors.
Expert comment
Chris Newman
Chairman – Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association
“The risk of death or injury from large constrictors is negligible. However, the recent trend in colour morphs has increased the size of the market for Reticulated Pythons. Historically, retailers and breeders have employed an admirable level of self-regulation when discerning to whom they will sell these animals. We urge them to continue to vet potential customers to ensure that they have sufficient experience and expertise to safely care for and keep large constrictors.”
Got a credit card? use our Credit Card & Finance Calculators
Thanks to johnstevens77,Bhoddhisatva,scotia,Anonymous,Cornytiv34, for Donating to support the site
Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
-
- 2 Lemon pips
- Posts: 113
- Joined: November 6th, 2016, 6:07 pm
- Has thanked: 58 times
- Been thanked: 227 times
-
- Lemon Half
- Posts: 5769
- Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:22 am
- Has thanked: 4098 times
- Been thanked: 2560 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
I remember one of these big chaps appeared - with owner - at a local Agricultural Show. I stroked it, and couldn't help exclaiming 'oooh, it feels just like a handbag'.
The owner looked a little peeved. I refrained from improving the situation by telling him what it tasted like.
V8
The owner looked a little peeved. I refrained from improving the situation by telling him what it tasted like.
V8
-
- 2 Lemon pips
- Posts: 113
- Joined: November 6th, 2016, 6:07 pm
- Has thanked: 58 times
- Been thanked: 227 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
This is probably why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT55RpM23Bw
It's an emotive subject, with no practical answer. Rural people in developing countries using their natural resources is nothing new. Those same people using the natural resources to provide for the west's greed is unsustainable and unpalatable. Especially as it is the west that has made the lifestyles of said rural people unsustainable too.
What to do?
Who knows.
TR
It's an emotive subject, with no practical answer. Rural people in developing countries using their natural resources is nothing new. Those same people using the natural resources to provide for the west's greed is unsustainable and unpalatable. Especially as it is the west that has made the lifestyles of said rural people unsustainable too.
What to do?
Who knows.
TR
-
- Lemon Half
- Posts: 5769
- Joined: November 4th, 2016, 11:22 am
- Has thanked: 4098 times
- Been thanked: 2560 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
Quite.
Reading a John Grisham - The Testament - where unexpectedly we find ourselves in the Pantanal lamenting the destruction of the native tribes and their habitats.
We read.
We tuttut.
We look away and go on pretending we can have more of everything. Starting with population. And 'raising people out of poverty' . The Indians don't know they are living in poverty. They are trying to live harmoniously with nature as they have always done. Shame Attenborough can't make a programme showing how we have trashed the world with our excessive numbers and greed for 'stuff' including animal parts.
Snake tastes OK. Bit dry, perhaps. Finest piece of meat I ever ate was whale. Didn't approve but I still ate it. And chips.
In the year 1492 Columbus ..... brought back potatoes, to eat with katsup and whale.
Or was that Raleigh. Bicycles. If only progress had stopped at bicycles.
V8.
All a bit o/t. No one keeps pet whales. Just as well.
Reading a John Grisham - The Testament - where unexpectedly we find ourselves in the Pantanal lamenting the destruction of the native tribes and their habitats.
We read.
We tuttut.
We look away and go on pretending we can have more of everything. Starting with population. And 'raising people out of poverty' . The Indians don't know they are living in poverty. They are trying to live harmoniously with nature as they have always done. Shame Attenborough can't make a programme showing how we have trashed the world with our excessive numbers and greed for 'stuff' including animal parts.
Snake tastes OK. Bit dry, perhaps. Finest piece of meat I ever ate was whale. Didn't approve but I still ate it. And chips.
In the year 1492 Columbus ..... brought back potatoes, to eat with katsup and whale.
Or was that Raleigh. Bicycles. If only progress had stopped at bicycles.
V8.
All a bit o/t. No one keeps pet whales. Just as well.
-
- Lemon Quarter
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: November 4th, 2016, 1:25 pm
- Has thanked: 101 times
- Been thanked: 374 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
Used to live with a couple of reticulated pythons, 30 years ago. They lived in a highly unsuitable old glass fronted shop cabinet, from which they would regularly escape. They were quite fun to be around and enormously amusing from time to time when introducing them to potential new housemates. Their owner used to take them to the vet on the Tube in an old duvet cover, she particularly enjoyed watching the faces of her fellow passengers when her bag of "laundry" started to move...
I have two or three excellent python related stories on which I frequently dine out even today, but which are unfortunately not really suitable for a family audience.
DM
I have two or three excellent python related stories on which I frequently dine out even today, but which are unfortunately not really suitable for a family audience.
DM
animals in general
Can we widen this topic, I am not a fan of snakes, small or large, but I love other reptiles and animals. I have 3 tortoises, just about to hibernate for the winter. I love to hear about other people's animals, so what about horses, dogs, cats, ferrets, donkeys, dormice, etc, etc?
I am quite knowledgeable about tortoises so am willing to give advice to tips - and to receive advice and tips
I am quite knowledgeable about tortoises so am willing to give advice to tips - and to receive advice and tips
-
- 2 Lemon pips
- Posts: 113
- Joined: November 6th, 2016, 6:07 pm
- Has thanked: 58 times
- Been thanked: 227 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
I'm sure this Pets and Vets board is intended for discussion on all types of pet animals. I just thought I'd get the ball rolling with a post about my specialist subject. As per TMF, I'd start a new thread for any discussion on other animals.
Although...I suppose the discussion about giant snakes COULD include a chat about rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and even piglets, but maybe not in the manner you intended?
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
TR
Although...I suppose the discussion about giant snakes COULD include a chat about rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and even piglets, but maybe not in the manner you intended?
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
TR
-
- Lemon Quarter
- Posts: 1095
- Joined: November 4th, 2016, 1:25 pm
- Has thanked: 101 times
- Been thanked: 374 times
Re: Giant snakes info, to get the party started.
The snake household had a couple of cockatiels and a revolving population of rats. The cockatiels kept well out of the way of the snakes. On the whole I liked the rats best of all.
We did briefly have some guinea pigs too...
DM
We did briefly have some guinea pigs too...
DM
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests