Reply #15: Coolness! A gift!!!! [View All]

Pythons are constrictors. If I found one in a box (especially at that size) I'd probably have a second of being startled, but then would be OK with it. I might have to see if I could scare up a pinky or two to make sure the cat was safe, however.

Now, if I found a REALLY big python I'd be yelling for an expert to come get it. The really big boys scare hell out of me because I know how dangerous they can be. I've workd to teach my kid about snakes (all reptiles, atually) so that she'll not be afraid of them but still respect them later.

My seven year old helped hold a giant gold Burmese python a few years ago at a zoo in Naples Florida. It was a lovely snake--and it was huge at about 12 or 13 feet. Here it is with adults holding it:



Now,imagine watching a bunch of little kids holding it... The zoo made sure that an adult had control of the head and tail so nobody could get squeezed, but it was still kind of unnerving to see my "baby" (about 4 years old) anywhere near a snake that big.

I want her to not be afraid of reptiles, which involves contact and education. Reptiles are pretty cool creature, but you really have got to know what you are doing. You also need to know how to identify the ones that are safe to handle. I also want her to understand just what they can do, and holding something THAT big probably drove the point home.


Laura