Having a python as a pet, a reptile that can grow excessively, entails a great responsibility towards oneself, your family, the neighbors and the pet itself.
No kidding, Python as a pet is a latent danger that should not be ignored.
You want to know more? Keep reading this article on our site to learn everything about pet pythons.
Why do you want a pet python?
This is a very serious question that you must ask yourself without reference If one wanted to buy a pistol, a grenade or any weapon that puts it him and his environment in potential danger, the answer: Because I like pythons! It is extremely immature if the reactions and idiosyncrasies of these large snakes are not well known.
In addition, any weapon can be kept locked, in a drawer or in a cupboard out of the reach of children. A python does not support this type of confinement, it is alive and they acquire enormous strength.
If the answer to this essential question is that you need to have said snake to work as a male or female striper, or you are a herpetologist who commonly works with different kinds of snakes, go ahead: get the corresponding license and adopt the python
Reasons why it is not convenient to have a python at home
Having an animal that can squeeze you you, or any member of your family, to gobble it down, does not seem a priori the best of decisions. But when we are adults some of us become very peculiar, and certainly living with such a dangerous being is a spectacular peculiarity.
The space that an adult python needs - a terrarium of at least 3x1x2 meters, and with constant temperature and humidity - is another dissuasive reason, unless in this way you prevent it from coming to live with you some undesirable family member.
The feeding: first mice, then frozen or live rats and later live rabbits, it's a show that doesn't seduce me; but I understand that there are very peculiar people who can be fascinated by the thing.
Reptile lovers
It is scientifically recognized that under our mammalian brain there is an ancestral reptiloid brain that is in charge of the most atavistic and primary functions.
Perhaps for this reason and also because in my Chinese horoscope I am a snake, I consider that these animals have a natural beauty and charm Having small colorful snakes as a token of your appreciation for said pets is great. As for tastes, there are no colors and there are small and tame snakes whose greatest danger is that they may accidentally bite you because your fingers smell like chicken.
But deciding to adopt a reticulated python, a dangerous Burmese python or any other species of them without previous experience or without having adequate space is to opt for an announced failure, almost with total security.
Incidents with pythons and other constrictors
The network is full of incidents, accidents and catastrophes horrific happenings between people and large constrictor snakes. Examples:
Snake whose coexistence with the family lasted 10 years. Its owner was a professional with a reptile store and suddenly one fateful day the python escaped from its terrarium whose glass walls reached the ceiling. The python escaped through a hole in the ceiling, moved through some ventilation ducts and reached the room where the children slept. He fell from the roof and killed two children. A terrible catastrophe. This happened on August 7, 2013 in Canada. The snake was an African red python about 5 meters long.
Accidents occurred when the caretaker was feeding his python or boa and the animal, after biting him, tried to embrace him to death, causing him serious injuries and terrifying experiences. This has happened hundreds of times.
A nicely macabre incident happened during a telephone consultation at a radio station. The radio listener commented to the guest specialist that his snake, which he had loose on her floor, would find every morning meekly lying on his side of the bed and stretched out to the maximum. The herpetologist's response was brutal: the meek python measured itself against its owner, patiently waiting to grow big enough to eat him whole.
The character of animals
All animal species have characteristic features common to each species. But then there is the particular idiosyncrasy of each specimen A tame animal can have a bad day because it feels sick, uncomfortable, hungry, in heat… Just like it happens with the animal rational human. Even like humans, there are animals with permanent bad temper.
But, the truth is, I'd rather face a sullen parakeet a thousand times that ungratefully tries to peck my fingers through the bars of its cage, than a meek, well-fed five-meter python that has just one bad day. Size always matters
The final decision: I absolutely want a python
If you finally decide to adopt a python, despite not having to dedicate yourself to striptease or be a specialized herpetologist, researcher of the great constrictors; that is, that your peculiar personality is "cool" to have a huge potentially terrifying being for company… go ahead.
Finding your python is not going to be very difficult and you have two options: the first is to go to a reptile shelterThere are many people who abandon it after a month or two of having the snake, for this reason, you can take charge and decide to adopt.
You can also go to an accredited animal center and better if it is specialized in reptiles with the corresponding homologation. Heed the questions, advice and recommendations of the expert if you sense that he is a responsible professional. If you see the guy just trying to sell you the python…run away.
Don't fool the professional by lying to him about the great flat you have, the enormous amount of time available and the amount of money you have to maintain the python for about 30 years, day after day.
Grandma's room is not an ideal place despite your love for pythons, Half an hour a week to feed the python is not enough. Having grandma clean your python's terrarium is not a good idea. Carrying an irresponsible "abuelicide" on your record is not in your best interest.
Apart from the price of the snake, you will need to pay the special dangerous animal license Then buy or build a terrarium with a temperature between 27º-35º and adjustable humidity. A box containing cartons of tobacco and a Chinese basin for water is not worth it.
Buy a freezer to store frozen rats. Putting them next to bags of panga, patatas bravas, ice cream or pizza is not convenient.
Finally, acquire a good civil liability insurance that covers the excesses that the beast may cause if it escapes and appears at someone's house the neighbors - a classic and recurring case. Also take out life insurance for yourself and another for your grandmother, just in case.
Conclusions
I hope my humorous comments have put off hopeful but uninformed potential buyers of pythons or boas. I hope that these comments have not bothered snake fans who are serious, responsible, informed, careful and who take perfect care of their pet.
I have tried to emphasize that a python is not a toy, just like any other pet, and that it requires care rigorous and specialized. They know this better than anyone, and despite all the complex and costly circumstances, they pursue their lawful hobby with great passion.
