Pregnancy and Pythons

This may have been covered before, and if it has pleeease link me to it :)

My friend has just got himself a corn snake, he's really getting into reptiles and has seen a pair of BPs, male and female, and he's seriously thinking about putting a deposit down on them. He's doing his research but his girlfriend has just found out she's pregnant. Now he already has a corn snake like I said, and she also has a Brooks king snake... and she's really against getting them. I thought, due to the fact she likes snakes and seems knowledgable and has a snake of her own plus her boyfriends snake, it was a money issue. Its not a money issue at all.

Apparently she's only worried about BPs (not other snakes), about the baby dying, them escaping and also said that breeding them would be cruel.

I'm running out of things to say really, I've got a bit of a temper too and I don't want to go off on one at my friends girlfriend who is also my friend... I understand she's worried about the baby. I do. But I've never heard of anyone else that's had problems with pregnancy and snakes, and have friends that have had littluns that grew up around snakes...

I guess I'm just asking for some advice to give my male friend, who it seems is giving up because nothing he can do is right :/

Fankshoooo :sweeet:

Tell him to do everything he can to make the mother of his children happy. :)

Logical argument is not going to get him anything apart from a permanent bed on the couch. :rofl:


dr del

Sometimes during pregnancy women go into "mother mode" and logic just doesn't pierce through the brain. All they can think of is baby, baby, baby. :p
I guess it is between the friend and the girlfriend because there's nothing you can do; if she doesn't listen to reason, won't listen to reason, then it won't work to get the snakes. Arguing will not help either. I think this one has to be waited out.

Thanks guys :) :)

I'm not getting involved, they've been together less than four months, so just attempting to give advice to attempt to maybe make her see BPs aren't bad little salmonella monsters and the only snake that could bear a risk to her unborn child...

Any comments on the "breeding is cruel" thing? I wasn't sure what to make of that...

A ball python isn't really what I would consider more dangerous than a corn snake, at least when it comes to a human. These aren't burmese we're talking about, and even then, c'mon! But, you can't talk common sense into some people. And they have been together for 4 months and are already reproducing themselves? To me that says a lot about them right there.

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Originally Posted by CherryPython

Thanks guys :) :)

I'm not getting involved, they've been together less than four months, so just attempting to give advice to attempt to maybe make her see BPs aren't bad little salmonella monsters and the only snake that could bear a risk to her unborn child...

Any comments on the "breeding is cruel" thing? I wasn't sure what to make of that...

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Tell him to get the snakes... If this is what they are going through 4 months in... He's doomed anyways haha

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Originally Posted by AK907

A ball python isn't really what I would consider more dangerous than a corn snake, at least when it comes to a human. These aren't burmese we're talking about, and even then, c'mon! But, you can't talk common sense into some people. And they have been together for 4 months and are already reproducing themselves? To me that says a lot about them right there.

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Exactly...
I thought that (shhhh) but I'm keeping my mouth shut on that particular point lol...

There's a strange common mental image in the general public when breeding comes up. It's either viewed as a dog showing thing (breeding animals for show) or puppy mills, it's rare I come across someone who doesn't think of those things when they hear about breeding. The "breeding is cruel" seems to be a PETA/H$U$ encouraged image that if you breed animals they WILL end up in a bad home, and you're a bad person for bringing innocent animals into the world. One of my favorite things is when I'm able to talk about how captive breeding helps wild populations, encourages education, etc. with people who wouldn't otherwise know about it.

That's all I can guess at for the breeding comment. And the rest of it is something to be worked out between them unfortunately. Sucks that she thinks that BPs are such a threat, but if logic and reasoning hasn't gone through yet then it's unlikely that it'll change anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by CherryPython

Any comments on the "breeding is cruel" thing? I wasn't sure what to make of that...

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To my way of thinking, breeding BPs is the responsible thing to do. Captive breeding provides heathy animals to the hobby, and leaves wild animals in the wild. I see it as a win-win situation.

sorry to bud in your thread like this but im kinda having the same issue my gf is pregnant and since i already own two snakes she want me to get rid of them because her step mom herd on the news of a snake killing a baby. to me thats all a bunch of bull my bps are still small around 2ft or less and they wont be staying in the room after the baby but my gf still says she herd they are bad for the babies

The chances of a ball python injuring an infant are so small I seriously doubt they could be calculated in such a way as to not be ridiculous.

Just a lot of "I heard" and "She said" junk.

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Originally Posted by Slim

The chances of a ball python injuring an infant are so small I seriously doubt they could be calculated in such a way as to not be ridiculous.

Just a lot of "I heard" and "She said" junk.

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and they hate snakes thats why i think they see snakes as being killers

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Originally Posted by Slim

To my way of thinking, breeding BPs is the responsible thing to do. Captive breeding provides heathy animals to the hobby, and leaves wild animals in the wild. I see it as a win-win situation.

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Deeeefinitely win win (Y)

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Originally Posted by JaGv

sorry to bud in your thread like this but im kinda having the same issue my gf is pregnant and since i already own two snakes she want me to get rid of them because her step mom herd on the news of a snake killing a baby. to me thats all a bunch of bull my bps are still small around 2ft or less and they wont be staying in the room after the baby but my gf still says she herd they are bad for the babies

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Nooo worries :) Saves making another thread! :) :) I just don't see it right: hold baby, put snake on baby, snake all of a sudden changes it's temperament because it's a baby...? Nah. I understand Salmonella can be an issue but surely with correct hygiene and making sure doubly everything is doubly clean it wouldn't be so much of a worry...

^And that ties back in with the (not so) common sense I was talking about. I'd be much more worried about a dog/cat getting an infant sick or injuring it. I can tell you straight up I've gotten injured far worse from a puppy playing too rough with me than the worst bite I've taken from our largest carpet python, which will put any ball out there to shame for size/bites.

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Originally Posted by AK907

^And that ties back in with the (not so) common sense I was talking about. I'd be much more worried about a dog/cat getting an infant sick or injuring it. I can tell you straight up I've gotten injured far worse from a puppy playing too rough with me than the worst bite I've taken from our largest carpet python, which will put any ball out there to shame for size/bites.

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Exactly. I've got plenty of scars on me from various cats I've had in the past, birds, ferrets, and other animals. I have yet to receive a bite from either of my snakes but just going on the memory and lovely reminder scar of a particular cat scratch I think I'm gonna go with the python bite :)

Look at cats, I'm not saying cats are dirty unhygienic or anything but...they go outside and who knows where they go, what they eat, what they're really bringing back into the house? I'd have thought it would just be more sensible to keep your snakes and if you're going the extra mile to be careful, don't handle their food or faeces and get someone else to clean up after them or wear gloves and wash your hands before and after handling as much as you can?

As for killing the baby... :no:

Yeah, this is just the same as how people are always convinced that cats are going to try to smother babies - so anyone who has a cat and has a baby and doesn't get rid of the cat is insane.

Some people just don't listen to reason.

And I'd be much more worried about my dog (who's a gentle giant) would accidentally hurt a baby. She doesn't know her own size and she like to stand/sit on people =/ Snakes are in their own closed environments and escapes aren't exactly a common occurrence.

I can see it all over doctors surgery waiting rooms now...

Are you having a baby?
Do you own pets?
A dog could think your baby is a chew toy!
A cat could smother it!
A hamster could eat through your babys clothes!
A snake might constrict your baby!
A BUNNY WABBIT MIGHT JUST BE TOO CUTE FOR YOUR BABY!

PETS: GET RID.

...coming to a pharmacy near you:

Common Sense - Bottled, Capsules and soluble tablets!
Brought to you by Wishful Thinking Ltd.

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Originally Posted by AK907

^And that ties back in with the (not so) common sense I was talking about. I'd be much more worried about a dog/cat getting an infant sick or injuring it. I can tell you straight up I've gotten injured far worse from a puppy playing too rough with me than the worst bite I've taken from our largest carpet python, which will put any ball out there to shame for size/bites.

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x2, I love my mammals and wouldn't trade them for the world, but after the rabies scare from being bitten by feral cats (ungrateful jerks, I was *helping*) and needing to stay overnight in the hospital from an infected dog bite, I'd much rather take Quetzal's velcro bites any day.

It's kind of ironic in a way... people think their "precious wittle baby" of a dog would never hurt their babies and then you have stories of babies and toddlers being mauled... but there's only been what, 12? constrictor-related deaths since the 80s? At least snake-people seem to recognize the relative danger of their pets.

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Originally Posted by CherryPython

...coming to a pharmacy near you:

Common Sense - Bottled, Capsules and soluble tablets!
Brought to you by Wishful Thinking Ltd.

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Lol, too bad this wasn't true!! ^^^^^

As far as the baby/snake situation goes, I think proper housing and hygiene would make snake plenty safe to have around, imo.

On the other hand, I don't think it wise for your friend to argue over getting more snakes. Being a mama bear is pretty powerful stuff. I don't think you even realize until you have kids of your own. You want to do everything to protect them. Perhaps even if its not always rational. My daughter is the world to me and I protect her with all of my might. Just not from the big bad snakes she likes to play with..... :D

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

most of what i hear from people getting rid of reptiles with new babies is all about salmonella..... I just calmly ask a few questions:
Do you wash your hands before eating?
After handling food?
After using the restroom?
Before handling the baby?

As long as you practice BASIC hygine, there's really no worries.

My main problem with all this type of thing, including with my grandkids, is people now a days are soooo worried about germs this and bacteria that, that parents are over protecting their kids. Not only can i see this pschologically hampering the child, but also possible medical problems when the child does come across something that their immune system should be able to handle, but can't because of over protective sterilization.

So, wash your hands, and lets your kids be kids!

Don

My ball pythons have yet to kill my 7 month old. Although, the cresties do look like they might escape and eat him any day...

Pregnancy hormones are no joke. My best advice to your friend would be to nod and smile and respond with, "yes dear." Let her calm down a bit and it should pass. Putting the snakes out of sight for a while might be a good idea. In my first trimester, I cried for like a hour because I spilled water on the floor. Also, doughnuts tend to be a good peace offering. ;)

Thanks guys :) I had a chat with him, and said about the hygiene thing. I think he's just gonna leave it for now, I've not heard back.

Anybody tells me to get rid of my snakes if I ever get pregnant can feel the wrath of my backhand :P I can already hear my Mum and Nan nagging me now...

I also have a pregnant girlfriend, she also changed some opinions regarding my BP's.
Mainly the fact that there is a chance of some snakes not accepting frozen mice and therefor I cannot expand :mad:

My experience is that when their mind is set you can better leave it alone unless you want to have problems at home :rage:

My plan is to get back on the subject when the hormone levels get back to "normal". :P
Because I AM getting my collection so I can become a breeder, even if I need to create a place for my snakes somewhere else then my own home.

So basically never give up your own point of view, but know when to fight your battles!

Boy am I happy my mother didn't say anything about me having reptiles when I was pregnant.. I would have laughed at her.

There are many many reptile enthusiasts who have new (human) babies while carrying on their passion of keeping/breeding snakes.

I see the announcements and photos of these new babies on FB all the time. Posted by reptile people. Your friends GF is being ridiculous.

I have a friend right now who is due in a few weeks. She and her husband have some pretty big reptiles including a monitor I wouldn't let near a baby. It's called responsibility. Their pets are their family too..

In my opinion, you are not a good and responsible pet owner if you are willing to just "get rid" of certain pets just because you're pregnant.. That's pure ignorance in both definitions of the word. To say you care about your pets and then be so carefree about getting of them just because you're having a baby is wrong. It's not like they're losing their house, or living somewhere they're not allowed, or some other completely unavoidable reason.

To a person like that I say they should not ever have pets. "They" being generalized.


<---Signature--->
Snakes, Jeeps, Dragons, Nature, & Knives.. Makes my world go-round!

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

In my opinion, you are not a good and responsible pet owner if you are willing to just "get rid" of certain pets just because you're pregnant.. That's pure ignorance in both definitions of the word. To say you care about your pets and then be so carefree about getting of them just because you're having a baby is wrong. It's not like they're losing their house, or living somewhere they're not allowed, or some other completely unavoidable reason.

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x2, I don't understand how people are able to do that after pouring so much care into their pets. It's different if the kid develops a severe allergy to what you're keeping or the pet reacts badly to the idea of sharing its space with a baby, but to get rid of the animal just because you're pregnant?

my son is 8 now and hes been around snakes sence he could walk at 1....hes still alive obiviously...and my daughter is 19 months now..and iv had punisher for 2 months..and she holds him and lets him slither over her...oh and she is still alive...

GAHHH.

Spoke to him again...she and her family have also told him he CANNOT go to uni and must provide for this child which might not be his!?!?!?

I think I'll just stay out of this one...because he's put a deposit down on a beautiful male pinstripe...I'm just waiting for her to blast her feelings about the man and snake in question.

:no: People are annoying sometimes.

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Originally Posted by CherryPython

she and her family have also told him he CANNOT go to uni and must provide for this child which might not be his!?!?!?

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Your friend needs to go on holiday for a while...Greece is nice in the spring, and dirt cheap these days...;)

There are doubts it might not be his?? I hope he gets a paternity test!
:O

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Originally Posted by Slim

Your friend needs to go on holiday for a while...Greece is nice in the spring, and dirt cheap these days...;)

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ROFL. I feel so bad for him. I hope she doesn't hit him TOO hard with the bat when she finds out that he's put this deposit down. I'm so proud of him, he was a good friend to me during a difficult time, and was such a help when we were at college together. He's REALLY done all his research and already sounds like he's been breeding for years (just from his research knowledge, obviously more will come with experience IF he ever gets there...). He doesn't want to leave her on her own with a baby and he's happy that she's pregnant and willing to put up with the rubbish attitude being displayed towards him.

Your friend sounds like a respectable guy to standby the girlfirend and her baby (even if the father is questionable).

Either way, for people going "oh, my snake is going to eat the baby', around 20 children are killed by dogs every year. I don't see many families getting rid of the family dog... A constrictor snake related death is about 5 every couple years. (emphasis on coupe years) And that's usually due to incorrect caging like using a weight to lock a screen top. All of these deaths are preventable with correct caging and security.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Your friend sounds like a respectable guy to standby the girlfirend and her baby (even if the father is questionable).

Either way, for people going "oh, my snake is going to eat the baby', 20 children are killed by dogs every year. A constrictor snake related death is about 5 every couple years. (emphasis on coupe years) And that's usually due to incorrect caging like using a weight to lock a screen top. All of these deaths are preventable with correct caging and security.

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I've lost count of the amount of times I've read in the paper or seen on the television/news:

"A dog has attacked a young child leaving him/her with ## stitches and a traumatic hospital visit"

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Your friend sounds like a respectable guy to standby the girlfirend and her baby (even if the father is questionable).

Either way, for people going "oh, my snake is going to eat the baby', around 20 children are killed by dogs every year. I don't see many families getting rid of the family dog... A constrictor snake related death is about 5 every couple years. (emphasis on coupe years) And that's usually due to incorrect caging like using a weight to lock a screen top. All of these deaths are preventable with correct caging and security.

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Agreed, if I were in that position I would have been long gone by now or at least on the way out the door. I'd help pay for the kid, but there's no way you're going to tell me to stay out of school and get rid of my pets if you don't even know if the kid is mine or not.

You know, for how anti-exotic HSUS is, they even admit that there's only been about 12 documented constrictor-related deaths since the 80s (as of a 2009 article by them about the little girl down in Florida). Interesting then how people assume the snake will kill their kid, but even an anti-exotic group admits it's less likely than a dog or cat.