I want everyone's opinion on this

[Jrich]

This video appeared on my local news channel. Watch the video. Tell me what you think. I've already made up my mind about it but I also want insight from everyone on both sides. Here is the YouTube link:

http://youtu.be/q3qc-y24Fd4

[Mikoh4792]

I personally wouldn't do it...just incase anything happened. Toddlers are delicate.

[SnoopySnake]

I agree with Mikoh. That's too large of a snake to have freely climbing around a child so small.

[Zoo Nanny]

I didn't finish watching it or listen to the idiots. The parents should be hauled off to jail for child endangerment and the baby removed from them.

[trailblazer295]

While I'll agree with his goal of making his children not afraid of snakes he could use smaller ones to teach them then that when they are small and as they grow the snakes they deal with can. But a snake that large and that powerful who could easily hurt a child that small and fragile isn't a good idea. Even without trying to intentionally the snake possess a strength so far beyond what would be needed to kill the kid. A snake a fraction that size could kill an adult if placed in the right position. Obviously the child is growing and hasn't been harmed but personally that is a risk that isn't worth it.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

Absolutely not!!! Those parents should be arrested for endangerment of a child. All snakes can be unpredictable at any time, even if they are tame.

[dave himself]

Not the smartest thing I've ever seen, it only takes a second for things to go horribly wrong

[Jim Smith]

Like others, I didn't bother watching the entire video. While I believe the man's intensions are good, I also think he is a fool to do what he did and to think any snake is a "loving" pet. In a split second, that snake could have latched onto that babies face and left it scared for life or if it coiled and constricted, seriously injured or dead. Instead of sending the message that people don't need to fear snakes, he sent the message that people who keep snakes are irresponsible.

[FWK]

I agree with y'all, this is far to risky. He could hold the animal and let the child pet it or use a much smaller snake, an animal that large is just to strong and heavy to allow a child to play with freely. He means well but his trust is clearly misplaced. I think calling for child endangerment charges may be a bit drastic though. I watched the whole video as well as a few more from his channel because I believe in gathering as much information as possible before passing judgment. He works for BHB Reptiles and has a large personal collection. He and his oldest daughter have dozens of videos on his channel working with a variety of animals both captive and in the field. The videos are well shot and edited with lots of good information. He has a lot of enthusiasm for his cause and frankly we could use more people like him in the hobby giving snakes positive exposure. But like I said I do agree this particular video is just to dangerous and in very bad taste.

[pdomensis]

Snakes cannot be "a loving pet" so his whole premise is false. Of course most times nothing bad will happen, but there are two definite possibilities when children are around snakes-the child could get hurt or the snake could get hurt.

I like the idea of helping people understand that snakes aren't evil, mean etc. But I also think it's very important to make sure people are responsible around snakes or any other potentially dangerous object. They are not stuffed toys.

[SoPhilly]

"loving" pet - facepalm. Ok, when my son was a baby/toddler, I wouldn't let him just roll on the floor grabbing at even my dog or cats, because guess what? Toddlers really have no concept of "don't grab the dogs tail and yank on it" or "the kitty doesn't like his stomach tickled". If the snake is well fed, it's not gonna randomly try to eat the baby, but ANY animal will potentially strike at a toddler who accidentally pokes it in the eye. If that python were to strike and coil at that kid out of fear/injury, I don't care how close by you are, damage is gonna be done. And babies smack animals sometimes, just out of curiosity.

I'm 100% for raising kids to not fear snakes, and I'm doing that by letting my son, starting when he was 6, hold and pet my 2 foot CRB. Because even if he scares her and she tags him, her bite is a pinprick.

[reptiledude987]

I get the point behind the video but not a good idea at all. I expose my kids to my animals around toddler age but things like baby ball pythons. I wont even take my 9 foot jcp out if my daughters in the room. Sheila (the jcp) is a big sweatheart and has never shown a sign of aggression in or out of tank. Despite that I would never take the chance because I wouldnt be able to live with myself if my daughter got bit.... or worse.

[Rattlehead]

Not smart at all. Worse thing is that this was broadcasted and may encourage other people to do it :/

[millertime89]

Do I want to watch this? No, I probably don't...

[SSSSnakes]

Poor judgement. Snake and children, only in a controlled environment were the children are in no danger. I will have to say that people will react negatively because it is a snake and not a dog or cat. I have seen many videos of children in dangerous scenarios with dogs and cats, and the public thinks it cute.