Who has kids!?!

[cmont9595]

I have a 5ft 2in BCI. I also have a 2 year old and one more on the way. Everyone gives me grief about having a snake in the house with kids. My wife allows it because she knows I do my research and am a responsible owner and father and she trusts me not to put our children in danger. Who of you have to go through this with your animals??

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[acephantom903]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I haven't had children. With any animals, you should always be supervising the children around them because children will always do something dumb because they are kids. In my opinion, your kids will be more likely to hurt your snakes than your snakes hurting your kids, but you shouldn't take any risks. Teach them to love and respect animals. Make sure they have a habit of washing their hands before and after handling to negate chances of salmonella so people don't have ammunition to say "I told you so" because people think reptiles carry salmonella when all animals do.

Most people will criticize you because people don't understand snakes when average non-venomous snakes -- including most large constrictors-- are less dangerous than a dog or cat of equal size. Many young humans have a habit of putting their fingers where they shouldn't, so just be cautious about a defensive bite which will pretty much always have a baby's face in range. Nobody needs to lose an eye. Other than that, teach them to respect the power of a snake and that they shouldn't let any snakes get a full coil around a neck. I feel that is the same of letting a dog wrap it's jaws around someone's throat. Chances are nothing bad is going to happen. Is it worth the risk?

[walla2GSP]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I have two children, 3yr old boy and 5yr old daughter. My daughter loves snakes, and I let her help me with maintenance and minor handling of my smaller boas. I agree, there is a good chance of them hurting a snake if they are not supervised. I also take extra precautions with all my enclosures to ensure they are secure. I'm still using a particle board enclosure, but each bay has a secondary latch to prevent the snake from forcing the door open. I'm looking at AP or Boaphile enclosures over the next two years and They will all have locks and third latches.
Funny story on my daughter, I had three cornsnakes up until a year ago, and she had taken possession of my candy corn, Jason. When I sold the cornsnakes to make room for boas I didn't really advertise the fact to her or my wife, who HATES snakes. A month ago, my wife asked about the cornsnakes and I told her I had finally sold all three. My daughter overheard us and balled for like an hour over the fact that I sold Jason without asking her permission.

[Noelle7206]

Re: Who has kids!?!

All my "kids" have tails too...the other posts covered it pretty well. I'd only add that your cages should LOCK, so that your curious children cannot find their way into the cage without supervision.

And children's dirty hands could be a health risk to your snake too, or might smell like prey (!) so hand washing before & after contact with snakes is a good idea for both snakes and children. Salmonella
is mostly a risk from turtles, but hand washing is a good habit anyway. Young children can easily hurt a snake...& you need to make sure they never pull on a snake (like if the snake is getting away from
them) and children are easily distracted so don't let them sit on a couch with a snake. (-even adults have trouble keeping snakes out of the couch cushions, LOL!)

[cmont9595]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I haven't had children. With any animals, you should always be supervising the children around them because children will always do something dumb because they are kids. In my opinion, your kids will be more likely to hurt your snakes than your snakes hurting your kids, but you shouldn't take any risks. Teach them to love and respect animals. Make sure they have a habit of washing their hands before and after handling to negate chances of salmonella so people don't have ammunition to say "I told you so" because people think reptiles carry salmonella when all animals do.

Most people will criticize you because people don't understand snakes when average non-venomous snakes -- including most large constrictors-- are less dangerous than a dog or cat of equal size. Many young humans have a habit of putting their fingers where they shouldn't, so just be cautious about a defensive bite which will pretty much always have a baby's face in range. Nobody needs to lose an eye. Other than that, teach them to respect the power of a snake and that they shouldn't let any snakes get a full coil around a neck. I feel that is the same of letting a dog wrap it's jaws around someone's throat. Chances are nothing bad is going to happen. Is it worth the risk?

I totally agree. I teach my daughter how to handle the snake with caution, not to touch the face, I am ALWAYS holding her hear away from my daughter and if not I keep a tight grip on her head when she wants to see the tongue come out. ALSO I NEVER EVER leave her alone with my snake. I tell people all the time that if something happens it's all on my because as both a father and a keeper it's my responsibility to keep my daughter and snake safe.

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[cmont9595]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I have two children, 3yr old boy and 5yr old daughter. My daughter loves snakes, and I let her help me with maintenance and minor handling of my smaller boas. I agree, there is a good chance of them hurting a snake if they are not supervised. I also take extra precautions with all my enclosures to ensure they are secure. I'm still using a particle board enclosure, but each bay has a secondary latch to prevent the snake from forcing the door open. I'm looking at AP or Boaphile enclosures over the next two years and They will all have locks and third latches.
Funny story on my daughter, I had three cornsnakes up until a year ago, and she had taken possession of my candy corn, Jason. When I sold the cornsnakes to make room for boas I didn't really advertise the fact to her or my wife, who HATES snakes. A month ago, my wife asked about the cornsnakes and I told her I had finally sold all three. My daughter overheard us and balled for like an hour over the fact that I sold Jason without asking her permission.

Lol that's a funny story. My snake is locked up with a slide bolt lock and a key. I'm going to add a third lock eventually so that people who come over can keep there mouths zipped.

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[cmont9595]

Re: Who has kids!?!

All my "kids" have tails too...the other posts covered it pretty well. I'd only add that your cages should LOCK, so that your curious children cannot find their way into the cage without supervision.

And children's dirty hands could be a health risk to your snake too, or might smell like prey (!) so hand washing before & after contact with snakes is a good idea for both snakes and children. Salmonella
is mostly a risk from turtles, but hand washing is a good habit anyway. Young children can easily hurt a snake...& you need to make sure they never pull on a snake (like if the snake is getting away from
them) and children are easily distracted so don't let them sit on a couch with a snake. (-even adults have trouble keeping snakes out of the couch cushions, LOL!)

Agreed. I have 2 locks on my cage right now (one is a keyed lock) and will be adding a third for added assurance to my visitors.

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[Jonathan Brady]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I have two kids, but ended up selling all of my boas before the second arrived. It wasn't because I was scared of anything, I just found that I'd rather spend time with my family than with my snakes. I always knew that would be the case, but I didn't think it would be as extreme as it was. I literally had no desire to do anything boa-related once my daughter arrived and the entire hobby became a chore - one which stole time from my daughter. So... out they went! I haven't regretted it in the least - not even a little bit. 13 years of keeping and breeding boas ended, just like *that*.

[cmont9595]

Re: Who has kids!?!

I have two kids, but ended up selling all of my boas before the second arrived. It wasn't because I was scared of anything, I just found that I'd rather spend time with my family than with my snakes. I always knew that would be the case, but I didn't think it would be as extreme as it was. I literally had no desire to do anything boa-related once my daughter arrived and the entire hobby became a chore - one which stole time from my daughter. So... out they went! I haven't regretted it in the least - not even a little bit. 13 years of keeping and breeding boas ended, just like *that*.

I totally get what you mean. After my daughter I just want as into my lizards. She was 8 months when I got my snake. She didn't touch her until she was 12 months. Now she doesn't even bother looking at my tanks until I'm cleaning and feeding. But when feeding she goes in her high chair and watches or just watches the tv. I definitely understand where you are coming from Jonathan.

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