Even reticulated pythons, which are speculated to be the longest and perhaps the largest snakes in the world, do not eat multiple prey items within a few days’ time.

In the beginning of the film a scroll of misinformation was displayed for movie watchers to read and digest. One particular line further emphasizes the lack of knowledge concerning these beautiful hunters and further fuels the fire of fear: “Unique amongst snakes, they are not satisfied after eating a victim. They will regurgitate their prey in order to kill and eat again.” (Anaconda). Anacondas might be somewhat unique, however, they are constrictors just as ball pythons, rock pythons, red tail boas and Burmese pythons are. Any snake, whether a constrictor, a venomous snake or even an egg eater, will regurgitate prey items if the prey are decomposing already, if they are frightened or disturbed, or, if captive, they might regurgitate if handled right after having fed. If satisfied with prey item and environment, most snakes will simply find a place to hide and digest. Anaconda’s depiction of anacondas is one filled with misinformation and over-dramatization of one of the largest constrictors in the world.

Another film that will be coming out in August is Snakes on a Plane. The ridiculousness of the tile is one indication that the film will be another film filled with half truths. This film’s storyline over-dramatizes the idea that an assassin, hell-bent on killing a passenger who is a witness, frees a crate filled with “deadly” snakes. Matching Samuel L. Jackson with multi species of “venomous snakes” upon a public airplane serves as an interesting plotline.

However, the snakes depicted in the previews, aside from animatronics venomous ones, area actually harmless king snakes. The fact they go out of their way to attack humans is just another example of lacking knowledge in venomous snakes. As with most snakes, venomous ones are ambush predators and do not go out of their way to attack humans; they try to preserve their venom for appropriate-sized food.

An ironic point is that the logo for the film is very close to that of a caduceus, which happens to be a symbol for medical purposes. This symbol is a staff with one set of wings at the top and two snakes entwining about the lower half. The logo for Snakes on a Plane, however, is of two fanged snakes entwining about an airplane.

Another film created in 2000 is Python. This film, much like Anaconda, over-dramatizes constrictors and even goes so far as incorrectly depicting the anatomy, adding fangs. Constrictors do not possess fangs; however, they do possess teeth that curve backwards which allow them to secure their prey item. This particular python is the result of a secret military project to create the ultimate weapon against enemies. This weapon backfires and gets loose during a transport by plane from the military facility to another location. This film was then followed by Python II in 2002 and then Boa Vs. Python in 2004.

Animal Planet, which is owned by Discovery Channel also produced a very over-dramatic representation of larger constrictors in their special The Big Squeeze. Between African rock pythons, Burmese pythons, and reticulated pythons, this particular show represented them as dangerous, man-attacking animals. What they failed to address were these key points: the man walking down a path who was attacked by the rock python was in the rock pythons environment, the zoo keepers know that reticulated pythons are much more aggressive animals and caution is a rule of thumb, and if people own Burmese pythons, let alone any other snake, and they smell like a prey item, they just might be bitten.

Lately, especially with all of the rain, there have been multiple accounts of constrictors being set free within parts of Louisiana and Florida. The news report of the
Burmese who ate the alligator was just one of many news reports that led people to believe that these constrictors were fearsome beasts. In reality, most of these freed pets were freed because the people who bought them thought they were cute as hatchlings and realized much too late how large Burmese can get. In being freed, Burmese pythons as well as any other constrictors, can be a detriment to the ecosystems they’re being let loose in. However, most news reports will not mention this.

Throughout time, the term snake has evolved into many meanings. It still remains the name of the legless reptiles people are so afraid of, but it also now means a person who is treacherous and vile. Snake enthusiasts, including myself, see snakes as stealthy, beautiful, strong and silent predators. If that particular description were to be used, I know I would not mind being described as beautiful, strong, silent and stealthy. Yet, because of fear and how people depict these magnificent predators, being a snake will continue to be interpreted by the majority of society as being treacherous and vile.

On the front of reality TV, Top Chef on Bravo has been spicing up the TV lineup. Chefs from all over the United States were chosen to compete for $100,000, a complete Kenmore Kitchen, and the title of Top Chef. As with any reality TV show, participants like to heat things up, have their faces posted up online, and overall gain more attention from their general audiences. During one episode, one of the contests, Tiffani Faison, stated that another contestant, Miguel Morales, should not be in the competition anymore because of careless mistakes. Miguel heard of this from the judges and accused Tiffany of being a snake. “You’re a snake. Ssssss.” (Miguel Morales, Top Chef).

This event, as well as Zacarias Moussaoui claiming, "You (Americans) are the head of the snake for me. If we want to destroy the Jewish state...we have to destroy you first.” (Tom Baldwin), are both examples of how the use of the term snake can be used in ill-reference towards snakes. If America were the head of the snake, She would have fairly poor vision, have to sense everything through heat and vibration, and She would have to act fast and strike with immense power. However much both the media and religion are detrimental to the bad name snakes have gotten, people who own them or have owned them are partially to blame for the fuel which drives the media to create such monstrous movies and television shows.

Many, many people each year go out and buy snakes for their kids, for themselves, for their spouses or for their friends. Most of the time, however, these snakes are bought from pet stores without first reading care sheets and other information easily accessible by way of the internet. A good percentage of the snakes bought in pet stores are either part of the families of colubridae or boidae. The colubridae family includes corn snakes and king snakes, and the boidae family includes ball pythons, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, red tailed boas and many others. The family colubridae, in purchasing from pet stores would exclude venomous snakes such as boomslangs.

When purchased, these snakes are usually small, very adorable, and can easily be housed within a ten-gallon tank. However, as time goes by and feeding continues, a lot of the larger constrictors such as Burmese, gain great length. When this happens, many people, instead of taking their animals to shelters, or posting up sale or adoption notices, set their pets free into parts of the country that they do not need to be set free in.

Although there are a few good pet stores, most of them fall under a bad hat notoriety. Pet stores are there to make money and a lot of the time, though not all of the time, they will give bad advice on husbandry and have you spend more money than need-be. One controversial husbandry tidbit is housing multiple snakes in one enclosure. For every twenty people who have been to a pet store and seen multiple snakes of the same species housed together, twenty well-learned owners will express great dislike for doing so. The information given by most pet stores is that housing multiple snakes together is just fine, yet, asking most breeders, they will explain that housing multiple snakes together can be stressful, that infection can spread much easier, and that, in rare cases, cannibalism can occur. Yet, most pet stores will rarely ever tell their customers this.

Breeders, on the other hand, who are note-worthy, are worth the time to check on. Adam Wysocki of 8 Ball Pythons is a breeder in Maryland who has a notable reputation. His customers will express great respect for Mr. Wysocki. I myself, who is not a customer of his, but an acquaintance, called Adam about a week ago because my female ball python was having a bad shed. For an hour he sat on the phone explaining that a certain method of aiding in shed was not detrimental to her health, that she would be fine for an hour, and even went so far as expressing interest in my new male ball python. Most breeders will be more than happy to oblige in responding to emails and phone calls on a regular basis.