Should giant pythons be kept in captivity?

[BoidKeeper]

Nope,

Your opinions of him or his parents do not give you the grounds to use him/his name so openly as an example to illustrate your point. That sort of singling out is what brings bad blood and negativity to these types of sites. May I suggest that in the future you find a more articulate means of illustrating your points with out bleatingly signalling out the forums members.
Trevor

[The_Snake_King]

I do not appreciate my posts being deleted.

I did not say anything that was offensive at all. I stated the fact plain and simple. I don't know how you do it in Canada, but here in America we have freedom of speech. We are allowed to voice our opinions freely and openly without fear of reciprication.

I was asked a question and I answered it. No need to delte my post and not the post of the person asking the question. THe question was more a flame than my answer.

[marisa]

Actually bringing up a personal issue about someone and including their handle is a violation of many terms of service on the internet, and while it may not be on this forum it is on plenty of AMERICAN sites. And its usually reserved for posting on sites such as a BOI. So its generally assumed that its rude and uncalled for all aorund the internet.

It has nothing to do with being in Canada...although making assumptions like that probably has much to do with being American.

Marisa
p.s. I am American BTW before anyone jumps on me for "bashing" the states. LOL

[marisa]

[ReptiZone]

all I can say is that jeff just finished ASKING politly that any old disagreaments fron other sites should not be braught in to the snakes forum and as I see it you have 27 posts you havent ben hear verry long snakeman87 has well over 500 he has ben here a wile needles to go into how he got 500 but he has it and it dosent hapen over night you informend him the best you could and he did other wis cant cry over spild milk. The hole post thing was just to say the he was here first WITH his burm so you did not give him advice wile you were on snakes.com it was done some where but not here so lets abide by jeffs wishes plz and keep othere sites with other sites

[Corey Woods]

Marisa,

Just to clarify something you said.........I can go out tomorrow and buy a lion, tiger or any other large cat and I do not need to get a permit to do so. Some of the larger cats are appendix 1, however, some are appendix 2. I'm sure if I tried to import an appendix 2 large cat I could do it without getting any type of import/possession permit and all I would need is the CITES appendix 2 export permit from the USA.

Corey

[Pixie]

Granted Corey you're right, you can probably get a large cat fairly easily. But how long would you be able to keep it without the proper permits? Not very long as it wouldn't take long at all for neighbors or anyone to find out and report you.

The ownership of giant snakes... such a controversial subject, in my opinion anyways. I definitely feel there should be some control as to who can own such animals via permit or something of the likes.

You can't always blame people because they are young or uninformed for making a bad choice. Very often, pet stores have a big play in these situations. I've seen burms tagged as great beginner snakes, and other unbelievable stuff! It makes my blood boil!!!! ARGG! So can you blame someone who doesn't know about snakes being mislead into thinking that owning a burm is a cool thing and a fine species to have?

My biggest issue with giant snakes is that the sale of them should be somewhat controlled. You shouldn't be able to sell them to just anyone that walks off the street and has some $$$. But here's where the problem is, stores and breeders will continue to sell them without checking to see if the buyer has any clue to what they're getting into. Do they not have a responsibility as to where the animals go and to whom they go home with. Should there be a least some effort?

My reptile shop is very well reputed and has quality animals and service. They take great care of everything in their store, housing and other and give great advice and help to their customers. Of course, they sell giant snakes too so one day I did a test. When an employe was there that didn't know me, I played dumb and looked interested in the retics they had. I purposely asked 3 dumb questions to see if they would correct my knowledge and how they would deal with an ignorant customer that wanted an inapropriate snake. Of course, I could have walked out of there in 3 min. with the snake. As soon as I mentionned I might be interested in taking it, I was offered a special!!! I was shocked and quite upset but it didn't completely surprise me either. $$$ does come first now... The worst part is that I'm a really small person, 4'9" 95lbs, can you imagine me with a retic or a burm??? I would be a meal in a few years!!!

Anyways, all this to say that I feel that the people who sell giant snakes should have a responsibility in knowing where their animals are going. They know the situation with giant snakes and that most don't make it to adulthood but they still breed and sell these snakes just for money...

I'm in no way targeting anyone in particular, just stating my opinion. This is not a subject or "situation" that can be easily remedied.

My 2 cents,
Pixie

[marisa]

I agree. Getting a lion or tiger would take little when it comes to the purchase. But you'd be lucky to keep it for a week without someone reporting you for not having the proper permits for housing it. Esentially, even burmese pythons could just require this permit. At LEAST then some sort of verification could be made as to the owners care level even if its just a skin deep one.

Marisa

[Linds]

Aquiring a large cat is not as simple as aquiring many other animals, unless they are smuggled WC's, even still. The zoos and private breeders that produce these animals are not so quick to sell there animals to the highest bidder, and often there are handling and care courses involved before an animal is allowed to be placed. Large cats, as well as all monkeys/apes, do require permits to legally keep in Ontario (I'm sure probably all of Canada). If it was as easy as just tracking down an animal and buying it, this would be in the press frequently, as there would be alot of accidents involving them.

Zoe,
Anopther thing to take into consideration when purchasing a laerge snake, though a young person may have the means and experience at the time, their life is still relatively unstable. Someone shouldn't take on the responsibility of a large snake/lizard until they are more secure, as it may not be easy to find a place to live with such animal, or if they intend to go to school, that could interfere as well. These aren't temporary pets, you can't just get them with the intent of selling them when they are no longer convenient. As for permits, I think that if permits were put into effect, though it would weed out a lot of keepers that perhaps shouldn't keep them, a lot of people would be unfairly ruled out, based on a generalized system of approval. If you wanted to use any of that my info is as follows: Lindsay Garneau, 18 years exp.

[Xetox]

I agree with the snake king on this one, I have been dealing with reptiles for about 16 years now, I own a burm but I dont suggest anyone go buy one.....its alot different taking care a large snake than it is taking care of a ball....but people will do what people will do and people like me will rescue snakes that can no longer be handled by the owner.

You would not believe how many calls I get a year wanting me to take burm or retic cause the person that bought it can no longer care for it! All I am saying is just do ur research before you buy any exotic pet!

My name is Troy and I dont care if u use anything I say.

[Zoe]

Linds, I agree!
THAT is the main reason I think young people in general should avoid large snakes. Not because they are young and therefore stupid and irresposible, but because their lives could and will change and take any direction in the next few years.

Thanks for the input everyone! It is unfortunate it had to get a little personal, but hey, stuff happens.

Thanks again!
Zoe

Oh, The_Snake_King... if you want to make friends here I suggest you be a little more respectful to other's and their opinions, and not so quick to be offended by what people say. This is, for the most part, a very pleasent online community to be a part of. Don't change that with ignorant comments. Good luck with your posts, hope you become a good full time member!

Zoe

[ballpython5000]

my god this is an absession here at ssnakess. sorry to sound rude but the bulk of you are always condescending torwards young herpers saying that there is no way they should own a burm. i think they can and the truth is they do. some say they arent mature enough others say they dont know where they are gonna be. any of you thats over 30 make a plan for 6 months of all the things you expect to happen to you. then lets see if it worked out. many many things are gonna happen to you that you wont expect, and it does not only happen to teenagers. it happens to everyone.
i think if there is enough love for the snake then there is no way it will end up as an adoption or be thrown out. it is because people dont love their burm enough to stick through their problem and keep it. they obviously did not love it enough if they will drop it at any given moment. and im positive that adults do also do that. a burm gets too big so they dump it. they get kids so they dump it. they need room so they dump it.
you people need to cut that whole age thing out, and admit it has nothing to do with age at all. it has to do with the person.

[ballpython5000]

sorry a pet peeve that got me going

[Xetox]

Its ok, I just think that think that anyone no matter what age needs to do alot of thinking and alot of research before going and buying a large snake like a burm or for even that matter like a large lizard like a nile monitor......just think about what you are doing before you do it!@!!

[ballpython5000]

yes exactly! and it is normally people who are trying to be cool that get large boids with no idea about the snake. not people like snakemann, i think it is people like snakemann who have a passion for herping who continue to own those boids all their life.