Babies and bp

[McKenzie]

Hello,

I have a small child that is about a year and a half and Im pretty sure Im not the only one here with a family. So I was wondering for all you people with babies and small children, were you ever worried about having such a big snake in the house. Is your child opening the cage and getting hurt something you worry about? I don't have a bp yet but is it something I should wait on until my son is 4 years older or am I just being paranoid (sp?)

[adizziedoll]

I have a 2 year old, and I find having the BP's in the house a great opportunity to counteract the future damage that could be done by hollywood and tv. I wouldn't allow him to hold the snakes, just pet them and be around them in general so he is unafraid. With certain, common sense precautions, you child wouldn't be in much danger with a well tamed snake.

Also, I wouldn't consider a ball python a big snake. Now if you were thinking about obtaining something equivelent to a burmese, I might have something to say about that.

[tigerlily]

If I had smaller kids, I would be more concerned about them fiddling with the cage resulting in an escapee. Mine are 4 and 6, and both know very well not to mess with the tubs in the rack. Neither have ever given me any cause to worry. Now with friends coming over, I am starting to worry a bit. I have resorted to locking that room.

As for overpowering my children.... nah. I always monitor all interaction between the two.

[JenHarrison]

I have a 3-month-old and will be teaching her not to go into the snake room without mom or dad. I'm not worried about any harm coming from the snakes as they really aren't big at all...my biggest is the width of my forearm and his head could cover a 50-cent piece...not much at all. If I had something like a burm or a retic, then I'd be worried, but not with my ball pythons. Zoe will always be supervised when around them.

[Freakie_frog]

I don't have children but smaller kids I would monitor. Little kids think " If mom and dad are scared for it why should I be?" just keep a close eye on them and the snake and they should be fine.

[McKenzie]

Thanks for the input everyone.