Snake .... and cat?

[Seemingly_Harmless]

A friend of mine asked me if I may take care of his cat while he's away on a business trip and I agreed. I have had her for a day now. She's about 7 years old and is a calm and friendly kitty, and she's very curious about my scaly little friend that likes to slither around in his tank. The cat rubs against the enclosure and purrs, so I'm hoping that means she already accepts the snake? Or perhaps instead this means maybe she's happy she found lunch?
Should I take Cornelius (my BP) out and try to have him bond with the cat? Or is that too idealistic? I'm going to babysit this cat for a month so if it's possible I would love for them to bond.

[FloridaAlicat]

Scent marking is not always a good thing and most cats are more likely to hunt snakes than to cuddle them. Also you snake doesn't need to bond with the cat and it's not even staying with you for very long so if it was me I wouldn't do it.

[CrystalRose]

I wouldn't put the cat and the snake together. Too much can happen too fast and the snake could end up hurt. I have 3 cats. They all like to rub the snake tanks and watch them. However I know if one of the snakes was out the cat would see it as a moving live "toy" and would probably bat at it more than try to cuddle it. For safety sake of both animals I wouldn't try it.

[Seemingly_Harmless]

True, my snake doesn't have to bond with the cat - but I would also like it if I decide to hold my snake that the cat won't want to eat him. Plus, I don't think I could go a month with not taking Cornelius out of his tank.

[NH93]

I have seen others do it, but doesn't mean you should. Especially since it is not YOUR cat, so you really don't know its full personality - in my opinion.

Also, snakes aren't social. There is a lot of debate out there as to if they even "like"... well... anything. Never mind anyone. So I am thinking it wouldn't bond with anything/anyone either, including a cat.

Might just be best (or safest) if you were to bond with the cat

[CrystalRose]

True, my snake doesn't have to bond with the cat - but I would also like it if I decide to hold my snake that the cat won't want to eat him. Plus, I don't think I could go a month with not taking Cornelius out of his tank.

You can still hold the snake. I hold mine quite frequently. I just don't let the cats get close enough when the snakes are out to be able to attack them.

[Seemingly_Harmless]

I have seen others do it, but doesn't mean you should. Especially since it is not YOUR cat, so you really don't know its full personality - in my opinion.

Also, snakes aren't social. There is a lot of debate out there as to if they even "like"... well... anything. Never mind anyone. So I am thinking it wouldn't bond with anything/anyone either, including a cat.

Might just be best (or safest) if you were to bond with the cat

I guess that seems more of the right thing to do. I could just bond with the cat and NOT let her near Cornelius. I'm actually trying to bond with her now. She's not very playful, and doesn't move around much, but she at least is a great lap warmer!

Oh, also, earlier the cat and my snake were having what seemed like a umm.. "staring contest". They were both just looking at each other. Is that good, bad, or neutral? Sorry if this seems kind of stupid. I don't know much about cats except that they eat, sleep, and dig in kitty litter!

[CryHavoc17]

I would keep the snake and cat as far apart as possible at all times.

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[Seemingly_Harmless]

You can still hold the snake. I hold mine quite frequently. I just don't let the cats get close enough when the snakes are out to be able to attack them.

Ahh. Okay.

[Slim]

Ok, I opened this thread and read it...then closed it again shaking my cranium. Then I just had to come back to it because I can't hold it in...

Dude, seriously? What on the face of this big blue planet makes you think that your Ball Python and your friend's cat should engage in some kind of Platonian bonding session? I have to be honest and tell you the fact that you even gave this thought serious consideration makes me wonder if you should own a snake, or be watching a cat.

If you kept a tweety bird, would you let your friend's cat bond with that?