Myths or Facts?

I've spent a lot of time reading info. on all sorts of snakes, and from time to time I see the same statements made about snakes but have yet find actual facts to back up those statements. A couple that come to mind are:

1. A ball python has been known to eat another ball python when housed together. I have seen pictures of a BCI eating a smaller ball, but never a ball eating ball. Does anyone know of someone that this has happened to, and please to tell me you've heard it from your Uncle's neighbor's friend's sister. :)

2. Salmonella. Yep, we all know that most if not all reptiles are carriers for salmonella, and many people get sick from salmonella every year. However, from all the info. I've seen, they all seem to originate from turtles. I know that reptile salmonella strains are different from say, poultry. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of a case of salmonella being transmitted from a ball python or any snake to a human? That's not to say it can't happen, but perhaps it's not as easily transmitted. The reason I'm wondering is that I've seen the infamous Steve Irwin kissing his BCI on the head on more than one occasion. Of course I'm not quite ready to pucker up to my balls, but it did make me wonder about the risks. (Gotta wonder if that last sentence will make it past the censors?) :bounce:

I'd appreciate any feedback on these queries or any additional ones that come to mind.

1. I know of nocase of a ball eating another ball, but I know so little.

2. I have read documentd cases of somenalla coming from Iggys, snake and other herps. Somenalla is mostly dangerous to small children and the elderly from what I read. I will resist making a comment about me kissing my snakes.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

1. A ball python has been known to eat another ball python when housed together. I have seen pictures of a BCI eating a smaller ball, but never a ball eating ball. Does anyone know of someone that this has happened to, and please to tell me you've heard it from your Uncle's neighbor's friend's sister. :)

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I've seen it happen ... Years ago, one of my close friends owned a
"reptile" pet store ... he lost several ball pythons to cannibalism. I did not actually see the animals get eaten, but I helped clean up the regurges.

If you can get your hands on an old copy of "Reptiles & Amphibians Magazine", the Nov/Dec 1995 issue has an excellent article (complete with all kinds of groovy pictures) titled "Cannibalism in Ball Pythons" ... It is an excellent read! .... I miss the old R&A magazine! It was an awesome publication!

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

kinds of groovy pictures) titled "Cannibalism in Ball Pythons" ... It is an excellent read! .... I miss the old R&A magazine! It was an awesome publication!

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Sounds like a good mag. Well, I guess that's one myth busted. :rolleyes: Did the article mention anything about cannibalism in the wild, or strictly captive animals? BTW, what do you think led to the cannibalism that you witnessed besides cohabitation? Were they imports? The reason I ask is that Lampropeltis are obviously known for cannibalism, but moreso with wild specimens. If they were raised in captivity, they seem to lose their cannibalistic tendencies when they mature.

And speaking of herp magazines, are there any other Reptile magazines besides "Reptiles"?

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Originally Posted by xdeus

And speaking of herp magazines, are there any other Reptile magazines besides "Reptiles"?

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Eh...you're better off scavenging old copies of Vivarium & Reptile & Amphibian. Look on ebay & on kingsnake's classifieds...they really are worth collecting. Most mags these days are just watered down with ads instead of great articles.

My $.02

K~

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Originally Posted by KLG

Eh...you're better off scavenging old copies of Vivarium & Reptile & Amphibian. Look on ebay & on kingsnake's classifieds...they really are worth collecting. Most mags these days are just watered down with ads instead of great articles.

My $.02

K~

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I agree...In my zeal of BP ownership I subscribed to Reptiles magazine...Can we say it SUX!