cold time of the year

[Thunder Kat]

If you have a cold or ri can your bp catch it? This might be a dumb question but I know a person can give a cold to a ferret, is it the same for reptiles? I just wanted to make sure because I'm sick right now (this time of year it seems I can't get rid of a cold) and I've been avoiding handling to be safe. Any input?

[JLC]

Nope. They won't catch a cold or any other disease from humans.

[Thunder Kat]

Thanks you don't know how hard it was not to hold my baby. She loves to come out every day and explore so it's been hard for her too.

[kurgan]

I'm glad your happy but I'm not sure your snake is so bothered. We love to anthropomorphise but a snake that 'wants to explore' is a stressed snake looking for shelter.

[Mendel's Balls]

Nope. They won't catch a cold or any other disease from humans.

Do you have any data, specific reasons, or experience to support such a broad generalization?

They arent real closely related to us. And pathogens do tend to infect a limited amount of hosts.

But I cant think of a reason why a reptile could never get sick from a bacterium or virus that we harbor naturally most of the time or a viral/bacterial invader we just picked up. Animals can carry microorganims asymptomically that make us sick such as Samenolla and certain types of Chlamydia so I see no reason why there isnt an organism that we carry at a low level that could make them sick. I always thought this was one reason why many people recommend washing your hands before and after handling your snake. I guess you want to wash away any potentially harmful chemicals on your hands as well

Maybe someone with a big collection and some helpers/workers who get colds can share their long-term experience.

I think it is unlikely.....but being impossible?...that's what I'm a bit skeptical about....

[JLC]

Alright...yes, I was vague and general. The question was whether the snake could catch a cold that the keeper currently had. My general answer...no. Having a cold should not disuade someone from handling their snake. I didn't mean to imply that humans could never carry something that a snake could catch....and by your own words, it seems that if we did, we wouldn't even know about it....so it really has nothing to do with the question about a cold or flu.


Handwashing before and after handling any of your reptiles or small animals is always a good practice and not one I would try to discourage in any way.