Little kids and snakes?

[Bellatrix_LeSnake]

A friend of mine has two sons, aged 3 1/2 and 6. Both of them are totally fascinated by reptiles and my friend keeps asks if she can bring them over to play with my snake. Our baby is pretty chilled out and unfazed by strange people handling her generally, however, I wouldn't consider myself all that kid friendly and all everyone who has handled her before has been a 20-30 year old adult. Should I let a 3 or a 6 year old hold her? And if I say yes, what extra precautions should I take with them?

[4Ballz]

Just stay beside them. My friends daughter from 3 on always loved holding the snakes. My son same age, would also hold one. Just as long as adults are present, and explain the proper way to hold them, they should be fine. Kids are always usually...listening when animals are involved.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't see any issues, just make sure that they know to be careful and not to hold them too tight. No sudden movements and to keep their voices down. Have them sit on the floor so they can't drop the snake for any reason.

[tcutting]

not gonna say much but see this..

also it comes down to th ekids if they listen well you should be fine.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ot-em-Share-em!

[DooLittle]

Well, my daughter has been handling snakes since she was 6, and is now almost 9. But, she is also used to them, and knows how to handle them. There are a couple I won't let her handle because they are grumpy, and a couple that I trust entirely with her. A lot depends on your snake, and how much you trust/know him. Also depends on how well behaved the kids are, and how good with animals in general they are. I would be cautious of the younger one, in case he grabs at the head. We have a couple we take to school for show and tell, they are complete puppy dogs. The kids are only allowed to pet, not hold. My daughter has had friends over who want to see the snakes. We have them sit down on the couch, and depending on the kid, they can have the snake set in their lap, or I hold the snake and they can pet. We always tell them to never "grab" at the snake, not to touch on or near their heads, to only pet "down the snake with the scales" and no fast movements. Make sure you set down rules before the snakes even come out.

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[ChrisS]

I believe it's a great idea to let kids handle reptiles. You teach them to not grow up with a fear that many people have. I personally do show and tell at a school my mother works at every chance I get. With the six year old I'd let him handle it. And the younger kid maybe you hold the snake and let him just touch it.

This is my niece and nephew back in 08 or 09 can't remember for sure and I ha to do screen shots for whatever reason I can't save to my phone from MySpace. It took me forever just to find these images.

[don15681]

there's always a chance of a bite. make sure both parents are aware of that. I have ones that I would be shock if it would bite. others, the risk goes up some and they don't handle well either. know your snake. handle it yourself to see if it's acting like it normally does before giving it to a child. teach them the proper way to hold them. have them wash their hands afterwards explaining why we do this. have fun! don

[martin82531]

My son who is four, holds my normal ball quite often. I'm always right there and I always try and make sure the snakes head is not facing my sons face.

[RoseyReps]

I think it entirely depends on the kids. If they are good listeners, and will listen to parents / your instruction, then have at it. I let my girls hold my baby, we sat on the couch and I sat between them. But there are neighbor kids I wouldn't let even get near her cage, let alone touch her.

Back when I had my JCP (many, many moons ago) I used to take it to the mall and sit on a bench with him. Little kids would run up and I would let them pet him after instructing the direction to pet etc. I never let any of those kids hold him, but he would drape around my neck and the kids would pet his back end.

Another option is sitting on the couch with them, letting the back end drape across their lap and keeping her/his head in your lap.

Don't be afraid to stand up for your snake, if you get a bad feeling about the kiddos, politely tell the parents that you would rather them not hold him, and just let them pet. Or that you don't feel comfortable doing it at all.

[Freakie_frog]

Knowing your animal is key..being able to tell when a snake goes for chill to ready to roll is a huge deal. It's not always really obvious as people would like to think. Here's my son with an Ivory female, he really loves the snakes.