what do you think of large snakes as pets?

I take it no one on this forum has anacondas? ;)
What do you guys think of the keeping of green anacondas, for pets?
I guess I made this post because, at a local (and very crappy) pet store in Buffalo NY, I saw a green anaconda. It was probably about ten feet long, coiled in a comparatively tiny tank. They were offering the snake for under $200 to whoever would take it, because someone had dropped it off at their store, not wanting it. Yes, this was a young green anaconda; I saw it with my own two eyes.
I never imagined that I'd see one of these things outside a zoo, let alone in a ghetto Buffalo pet store. I never went back there again, hence I have no idea what actually happened to the snake. My boyfriend went in there not long ago and said that it was gone.
On one hand, I want to say, that I think that no layperson should be allowed to own such a huge snake as a pet. On the other hand, I think that if the government banned this type of snakes, it would not be a far cry to say that our smaller boas and pythons would be balled also someday. I just hope that people who keep green annies know what they are in for, and don't go dropping them off at smarmy pet shops!

Awful pets. With the exception of burms, I'd never reccomend a giant snake such as a conda or retic. And burms are only for people who are serious.

I'm a strong supporter of keeping captive populations of large pythons under control. For the same reasons as the one you stated. People dump them.

Greens ae super vicous, and hard to keep...

If you'd like an anaconda, try a yellow :) Those sure are nice.

People should be more responsible of what they decide to get as a pet. They have no business buying one if they are going to dump it in the future! https://ball-pythons.net/modules/cop...0353/rant2.gif

All of the giants are potentialy dangerous,even deadly,and there are just too many pythons and boas to choose from to justify having one as a PET. While I dont think they should be banned per say,just as we regulate the selling of potentialy harmful substances like alcohol and cigarets,these animals should not just be sold to whomever fancies having one. Its bad for the animals,its bad for many of the people buying the animals,and it is certainly bad for our hobby as it fuels the fires of fear and misconceptions that snakes are murderous creatures. If one wants to study and experience the behavure of large boids there are many that max out at 5-6 feet that are equaly impressive in there own right,and have all the attitude,personality, and intelligence a person could want (at least from what Ive read). I think most giant boids are bought for one main reason, the cool factor (I know we all think our snakes are cool,by cool factor I mean simply to impress other people). The worst reason to buy any animal.

Ive wanted a burmese for a while, but I know I am not ready for a giant. Thats why Im being responsible and have decided to wait. Build my experience up and maybe try one in a couple of years. I don't think I would ever go with an anaconda or retic, but a burm would sure be nice. They are beautiful.

We have them. Anacondas do not make good "pet" snakes - they're more of a private science project for someone who is willing to meet their needs. Very sensitive animals that need a keeper willing to understand them.

K

I agree that the # of competent homes for these giant snakes and the # of giant snakes currently on the market are grossly unbalanced. Very few people can properly care for these animals yet there are people breeding them with regularity. It just doesn't make sense to me. I'll never own one of the giant snakes because they just aren't my thing.

i'ma get me a burm some day.

me too...im thinking about makin myself a cage for me to sleep in and giving the burm my room... :wink:

Okay, I'm slightly biased since we have a giant in our house (although right now she's not even as large as a full grown BP), but I wasn't thrilled about the idea of having one when Smulkin and I first discussed it. Right now, I'm of the mind that, like any pet, if you are willing and able to provide the proper care and environment for it, then why not have it? Personally, I would not keep an anaconda or a retic in my house, but if someone else wants one, and all the responsibility that goes along with it, then I'll not be one to criticize him or her.

I say go for it if you are up to the challenge but be prepared to have that snake for a long.........long time burms can live up to 25 years and the females can get around 18'.

I took a burm that was only 4' from a friend because he did not want it anymore but i did my research and decided i didnt want it either so i took it to a reptile shop and they traded me some tank furniture and a Ball Python (Jojo) and the rest is history. I had named the burm Lucy and she is in a happy home and she gets plenty room in her enclosure this was a year ago and she is around 8' now.

I say if your thinking about getting one of these snakes dont do it. LOL

With the giant boids come one extra set of requirements,besides being able to feed,house,handle,monitor temps/humidity etc. Wich one should be doing for any species,there is also the fact of handling say a 10-15 foot snake with a spotter. That means another experienced person who could assist should the PET wanna wrastle a little.https://ball-pythons.net/modules/cop...10353/help.gif

Me and the Mrs. were at one of our local reptile shops yesterday, actually it's the one where I got Nanners from. They have there a green and a yellow anaconda. They have both of them in the same tank but both of them are smaller than Bob and he's not even full grown yet.

I would never even think about a green from everything I have read they are too aggressive and just get to darn big. But from other info I have seen a male yellow only gets up to 6'' - 8'' tops and that peaked my curiousity.

I think the yellows are beautiful animals and 8'' would be my absolute max length on a snake but those guys are very heavy bodied as well. If I was ever to have the room and the time I would consider a male yellow.

I have to admit a certain fascination with the Green Anaconda - I have seen several juvenile specimens at my Reptile shop and they possess a sort of malignant menacing aura...it is too bad that there is not a dwarf variant as I would love to have one...say an E.murinus that topped out at about 6 to 8 feet...that would be a cool snake. As it is though I am content to just read about them as they are simply to huge for anybody but a highly experienced sort of specialist with the facilities for maintaining such an enormous snake.
EyeLashViper

yeah me too i have this fasination with burms. everytime im in the pet store i volunteer at i always sneak away and take them out of thier cages, they are soo awesome :)

Big snake......BIGGER responsibility. I fancy them too ;0) Thats an awfully big mouth to feed, if you are ever between jobs, could you afford to feed it? If you ever need to move, are you 100% sure you are able to take it with you? If you rent, would your landlord approve? Does your city require special exotic animal permits or licenses?Do you have small children or plan to? Does anyone who visits you have small children? If it gets loose, do you have dogs or cats it may harm? Do you have an experienced "spotter", as stated above, that will be with you every time you feed/clean/handle your snake? Will you have the room for an adult annie? If it gets loose, are you willing to accept the responsibility for it if it harms others? Just something to put in your pipe to smoke..........
They are goergous though. I have contimplated the idea myself, and thought better of it. I have also seen a tame 6 footer @ a Syracuse, N.Y. show and was completely fascinated. Thought I had to have one.....but like I said.
As stated above,"private science project" or something along those lines would be more appropriate.
Life is full of choices, it's up to you to make the right one...
just my 2 cents...

Gin, what was the name of the petstore if you remember? Just curious to know if I'm familiar w/it.

it's called Blue Lagoon. I hate it. :(

I personally think that too many snake enthuiasts go out and get a corn snake or ball python and decide that they are ready for a burm, retic, or even an anaconda right after that. This is not true. Both retics and anacondas can be somewhat unpredictable compared to RTB's or Burms. As a person who has not handled large snakes or taken care of them, I know my limits. Even though I have handled boas, ball pythons, and corn snakes, I would never jump into taking care of a 12-25 foot snake. I am getting my first pet snake in about two weeks. It is a snow corn and I would love to keep a giant snake about 10-12 years in the future. But, I know my limits with experience, space, time, and money. The general order should be: corn snake, ball python, red-tail boa or subspecies, and burmese python. If you have enough experience with burms, go with a retic, then yellow anaconda, then green anaconda. Too many people are dropping off their burms, retic, and anacondas becuase they suddenly find out that it is a whole different ball game than a boa or ball python.

Giants are not for everyone period. That being said I get my burm this week. I have done the research, have the means to care for him, have the space to house him, have the hands one exp with them, can afford to feed him. I have a small child in the house a 4 y/o daughter am I worried that snake will hurt her, no I have taken the steps to ensure even if it did get out of the enclosure it can't get out of the room the door is closed when ever I'm not in there. and locked. To decide if a large boid is for you, you must do your research, and take a long hard look mirror and ask yourself are you ready.

would you guys consider a full grown female RTB a large snake?
just curious...

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Originally Posted by zachman17

would you guys consider a full grown female RTB a large snake?
just curious...

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Yes it is a large snake..

For RTBs it all depends on the genetics of the animal....I have seen full grown females that are 8'.....then I have seen one that was 10'. If the snake is over 8', then I consider it BIG.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

For RTBs it all depends on the genetics of the animal....I have seen full grown females that are 8'.....then I have seen one that was 10'. If the snake is over 8', then I consider it BIG.

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I agree Daniel. That is very true. It depends on the gender and the genetics. If you go with the RTB, I would suggest going with a male first.

I am also a person that does not believe in buying a snake and expecting it to be average size...you should always be prepared for it to be a monster....if you can not handle a species at its potential MAXIMUM size....then you do not need to own it.

That is one reason why I do not want to get a RTB....I could handle a 5-6' rtb no problem.....but what would happen if I get one that grows to be 9-10'....I could not handle that size....so I dont own a RTB

i'd be a bit concerned about having a snake large enough to eat me.:D

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Originally Posted by python kid

i'd be a bit concerned about having a snake large enough to eat me.:D

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There are only three snakes(retics, anacondas, and afrocks)that could ever possibly eat an adult human being and it would have to be a very small person and a very very large snake. Large snakes have the ability to constrict and kill a person, but I have never read ANY documented cases of a snake killing and EATING a human....that is the kinda stuff is what you see in the movies.

Already has happened.


http://www.greenapple.com/~jorp/amzanim/hacsnake.htm

im pretty sure that was a hoax.

am i against owning giant snakes? obviously not since i have a burm of my own. i have what has the potential to be 3 large snakes ( my burm, and my 1.1 BCIs). i think alot of people do jump into burms and other giants too soon. it is a cool factor that they wanna feel around other people. i got my burm cause its been my favorite animal since i was like 5yrs old. i have a friend who has already agreed to help me with it whenever needs be. as for should green condas and retics and other giant snakes be owned? why not? but i think there should be a test, and like a permit for them everywhere. people underestimate the power of snakes. i had a 30in ball python rap around my neck and contrict before, and i wasnt able to breath. imagine something 10x that size. but its not only giants being abused and all that. i honestly think you should have a permit to own a snake period, rather its a 4ft ball python or a 14ft burm. i would have no problem taking the test.

gin, if your planning on getting one, all i can say is this. no one knows if your ready for the responsibility that comes with giant snakes except you. do your homework, study them, and gain some experiance. as with green condas, i think you need alotta water with a good filtration system, so good luck with that. i some day hope to own a green anaconda. not for a cool factor, but with the simple fact that big snakes amaze me. i will not get one unless i know of at least 3 other people willing to help me though, and it wont be until im 30-40 making a steady income.

for those of you thinking about getting a giant snake, please, do your homework before you get one.

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Originally Posted by bg1906

Already has happened.
http://www.greenapple.com/~jorp/amzanim/hacsnake.htm

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geez....like I said "it would have to be a very small person and a very very large snake"

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Originally Posted by rex322

i would have no problem taking the test.

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But....there is no test. Most states require permits. In order to get the permits, a person must have documented proof of over so many hours (usually 500 hr.) of snake handling experience. I dont have 500 hrs to volunteer to get a large snake permit. The only way you can get that is to volunteer at a zoo, reptile shelter, or breeder. If the states were to say you must JUST take a test in order to own larger snakes and then get a permit, then I would support it 100%. That would definately cut down on the number of people who do not care for their animals properly. But to say you need a permit and a course to own ANY snake is kinda silly..IMO. What is next? Cats and dogs :D

Well, I am getting a burm in October. I did my research.. While my largest snake that I own is 6', I have hundreds, probably over a thousand hours experience handling burms up to around 10-12'. I purposely chose a male, as I do not want a 20' snake, but 10-15' I believe I can handle.

Of the large snakes, burms have the most docile of natures. I once was bitten by a burm because of a SFE on my part. The snake did not constrict my arm, but it did hold on. I am able to stay calm in situations like these, and I would always have someone with me when the snake is over 8'. When food is not involved, most burms act very much like a cooked spaghetti noodle. Your average boa is going to be much more strong with you during average handling.

As far as anacondas.. one of my co-workers owns a yellow which he tells me is quite tame. I have heard the same of several yellows. At work we have a 12' 70lb female. I have seen the keepers with her, and she is quite docile.

We also have a 22' 325lb green. She was wild caught. She dislikes being touched, and will move away when the keepers are working with her, but I have never witnessed her to strike, or show any sign of aggression. This is a HUGE, WILD, green anaconda we are speaking of. I also know of people with tame (as much as you can call a wild animal tame anyway) 'pet' green anacondas. For the right people, owning an anaconda can be an unparalleled experience.

After owning a burm for several years, I may consider buying an anaconda. I'll see when the time comes.

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

But....there is no test. Most states require permits. In order to get the permits, a person must have documented proof of over so many hours (usually 500 hr.) of snake handling experience. I dont have 500 hrs to volunteer to get a large snake permit. The only way you can get that is to volunteer at a zoo, reptile shelter, or breeder. If the states were to say you must JUST take a test in order to own larger snakes and then get a permit, then I would support it 100%. That would definately cut down on the number of people who do not care for their animals properly. But to say you need a permit and a course to own ANY snake is kinda silly..IMO. What is next? Cats and dogs :D

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not really. dont forget that giant snakes arent the only abused and neglected snakes out there.

This is just one of the many requirements in the State of Louisiana to possess certain animals.

"Any person requesting a permit to allow importation and/or private possession of constrictor snakes in excess of twelve (12) feet and/or venomous snakes shall demonstrate no less than one year of substantial, practical experience (to consist of no less than 1,000 hours) in the care, feeding, handling, and/or husbandry of the species for which the permit is sought, or other species within the same zoological order, which are substantially similar in size, characteristics, care, and nutritional requirements to the species for which the permit is sought."

If that rule were applied to ALL SNAKES instead of just 12'+ constrictors and venomous reptiles.....then I would not own ANY snakes. I don't know about you all, but I dont have a means or the time to get 1000 hrs. of snake handling experience. Also, no one on this site under 18 yrs. old would be able to have snakes, unless their parents were willing to get 1000 hrs. experience.

I know there are alot of abused animals in the world, but placing restrictions on owning reptiles that are not really dangerous is uncalled for. I would think thats some restrictions should be placed on the pet stores and such that sell the animals...not the people that own them. I know a pet store that I could send my 16 yr. old sister that knows nothing about the care of snakes into and she could walk out with a baby burm for $50. What kinda person would sell a snake to a person, not provide them any care info, and then just forget about the animal once it leaves the store? Those are the kinda people that should be restricted from selling ANY animals.

If this were a perfect world, everyone would research animals before they buy them and stores would not sell animals without knowing that a person can care for it.....but it is not a perfect world.

i dont mean anything as severe is that...im saying a different test for each snake...like size range...like thered be one test for snakes 1-5ft, 5-10ft, 10-15ft etc. i dont think that there should be any huge test or requirements for something like a ball python or a BCI, but for burms, condas, and retics there should be.