| Ripshit |
08-30-2007 03:59 AM |
Just to answer the question,snakes do not fit into this scheme of a perfectly suitable `pet'. Although there are some species that apparently are able to distinguish their owners, most snakes are not able to do so, or, if they are, appear to have no interest in doing so. They are also not social, and apart from the exercise do not appreciate being handled. The idea that snakes can be tamed in a way that would make them suitable to roam around freely is not uncommon, and has resulted in a number of accidents in the last few years. In addition, along with the personification of these animals comes the danger of letting down one's sense of safety and security manners when handling the snakes or doing maintenance in or around the enclosures. Especially keepers of large boids and venomous species can unintentionally place themselves in harm's way by getting too relaxed around their `pets'. Most experienced keepers know that the true danger lies not in the knowingly aggressive snake, but in the `almost tame' specimen, that is just having a bad-scale day. There is absolutely no room for error in these cases, and it just takes a split-second of not being concentrated for what can be a bitter price to pay. It is absolutely crucial for novices and entry-level keepers to understand that snakes are still wild animals, as precious and beautiful as they may be. Snakes are truly instinctive creatures, and never really lose this trait even after years in captivity. Although these facts are widely understood by the herping community, every once in a while the odds catch up, and someone is harmed or even killed by a so-called `pet' snake for this exact reason.
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libr...kingfemale.jpg |
