Ball Python on Today show....

[snakelady]

I couldn't see the video because my connection is so slow....but if she really was talking about a ball python.

Makes me sooooo mad. Idiots! The Today Show needs to do a retraction, especially with that proposed ban legislation going around. I'm going to try and look at the video on a break at work today.

[starmom]

Here is the response I have received from Saba Douglas-Hamilton:
"Dear Madam,

You are right that I have misrepresented Python regius, and I'd like to offer you my sincere apology. I was informed I would be handling an African Rock Python, and only saw the snake for the first time when it was put into my hands during the show. It was only after I came off stage that I realised my mistake.

I am a great lover of snakes but am no herpetologist. My expertise lies with mammals. Unfortunately one is required to handle four animals on the Today show within one's short segment whether they have relevance to your show or not, and no matter if they are out of your area of expertise. Whilst I collected rock pythons as a child I have not before come into contact with a ball python. It was an honest mistake and I should have been properly informed of the snake species by the organisers before we were live on air.

All the best,

Ms. Douglas-Hamilton"

[Freakie_frog]

Sounds like a very sincere thing..

[snakelady]

Understandable.....BUT....so she should have said "my expertise is mammals not snakes." I am not sure how big it gets"
!!!!!!!

[MasonC2K]

Here is the response I have received from Saba Douglas-Hamilton:
"Dear Madam,

You are right that I have misrepresented Python regius, and I'd like to offer you my sincere apology. I was informed I would be handling an African Rock Python, and only saw the snake for the first time when it was put into my hands during the show. It was only after I came off stage that I realised my mistake.

I am a great lover of snakes but am no herpetologist. My expertise lies with mammals. Unfortunately one is required to handle four animals on the Today show within one's short segment whether they have relevance to your show or not, and no matter if they are out of your area of expertise. Whilst I collected rock pythons as a child I have not before come into contact with a ball python. It was an honest mistake and I should have been properly informed of the snake species by the organisers before we were live on air.

All the best,

Ms. Douglas-Hamilton"

Wow! The good doctor now has my respect.

[starmom]

Sounds like a very sincere thing..

I agree. Sadly, she did not mention how she or the show was going to remedy the error for the sake of accuracy. All of us err, it is what we do after the error that speaks to one's content of character...imho...

[spix14]

Well if that's the case then I am still puzzled as to her "It might be a boa constrictor" comment. Maybe she realized it wasn't an afrock and was grasping at straws?

[extensive]

here is my reply i got from her

Dear Mike

You are quite right. Unfortunately the first time I got to see the
python was on stage after having been told that I would have an
African Rock python (with which I am more familiar). It was only
after the show that I realised my mistake. I believe that I said
"pythons can grow up to 20ft".

Apologies.

Saba

[lord jackel]

Both of these replies should be forwarded to the Today show producers requesting a retraction and correction on their next airing. Clearly they messed up by not doing their proper research and the public deserves to know the truth.

[starmom]

Both of these replies should be forwarded to the Today show producers requesting a retraction and correction on their next airing. Clearly they messed up by not doing their proper research and the public deserves to know the truth.

Saba also has culpability in this scenario. It was her responsibility to say something to the effect of: "Wait! This isn't a rock python!" There are plenty of errors to go around; someone ought to say something; maybe a segment solely about the Python regius....