Oh the anger...

Does anybody find this INCORRECT.

I gave my corn snake to my homeroom teacher and he has had him in his room for a week or so before he takes him home for Christmas break and such. I told him that he had to eat so he goes to the pet store and brings back a live rat hopper. It had hair and was moving and everything. I specifically told him that he eats frozen fuzzy mice because he is barely a year old. So we get into a fight and he's saying that my snake can eat this rat baby because snakes are supposed to eat things 3 times the size of their own body. I flipped out because I have read so many things on snakes over the past year of owning them and never have I seen this. I'm so angry right now. Then he says that he feeds his Ball Python every month and a half. He tries to tell me that he's owned snakes longer than me and that his snakes are healthy bla bla bla. For one, my corn doesn't eat live and I cannot even imagine him being able to kill something that large when it was alive. I'm very disturbed about this and am taking Icelos home today.

Does anyone else think this is wrong?

I don't think you taking him back is wrong - if that is what you mean.

You could explain to him the relative wealth of information NOW available regarding good herp husbandry - maybe gently pointing out thsi info was not available when he became set in his myth-laden ways (3x body girth, huh?).

Maybe you could even point him to the site and let him have an epiphany here. A lot of time folks are more resistant to change when they perceive it as comign from outside themselves, as if to admit being influenced by someone else is a weakness or something.; If we feel more personally responsible for those changes we are less resistant to them.

There - that's all the huggy-schmuggy holiday-bear caca you're going to get out of me. I'd have a hard time giving any of our heprs away before being assured the homes they were going to had a clue what they were doing.

I thought he was going to be a good home, but I know otherwise now. I tried asking him specifically where he got this information from but he didn't even say. He's a young egotistical football star freak. I feel bad for his ball python.

I would take him back if he won't listen to and follow your instructions for your snake.

i'm glad to hear you took your snake back... it's so important to give them proper care and if your teacher's feeding habits are inappropriate...who knows what else may be inappropriate with his care.

good for you, having the courage to stand up for your snake.

I would say he's definately illinformed. I wouldn't mind educating him (irony) but if he doesn't listen than that's rediculous I would take ghim back too. How funny is ity that your teacher is being so hard headed to learn.


NEways wild snakes are opportunistic feeders and might not have the luxury of passing up a larger meal. Just because they "can" eat something much wider than them doesn't mean they should. I'm sure this puts a lot of stress on the snake and it's digestive system, and like a lot of people won't change their ways until their snake gets chewed up by a rat and it's too late.

I took Icelos back yesterday and he is SAFE at home. If he could even kill the rat without it hurting him, I'm sure he could've ate it but I still didn't think it would be healthy. Than of course my teacher said I baby the snake and whatever. Yeah I care for the snake enough to know better. This subject still angers me but thanks for all the support. I'm printing this thread out and pasting it on his muscle bound forehead.

The thing that gets me is this: it's your snake. Out of respect for you, your teacher should have done what you told him to. It's completely disrespectful to take someone else's property (yeah, sorry, but it's true) and do whatever you want with it, especially against their wishes.

Glad you got him home safe and sound.

I think it's very mature of you to stand up for the snake when you felt it was not being appropriately cared for, no matter who the person is. I would caution you though to not let this affect your relationship to your homeroom teacher as you've gotten the snake back and made your point, so call it good (sorry the mom speaking here).


It is very unfortunate and sad that an educator is closing his mind to being educated and not showing respect for his student's own knowledge base. I know as a parent of 4, I have had to go to bat for my own kids when issues like this arose over the years (not specifically reptile related). As in any profession, there are those that excel and those that don't.

I applaud you for doing what was right for this snake and standing by what you know to be the proper husbandry....good for you!


~~Jo~~

good for you man!!!


ps. not that agree with the teacher but listen to this... if someone came to you and asked u to take care of there herp the wrong way would u listen? its just interesting to think about