Do you kiss your snake (or allow your kids to)?

[Nate]

I always wondered where ramen noodles came from!!!

[MelissaFlipski]

I always wondered where ramen noodles came from!!!

And now you know why they are so cheap, too!

[Daemonicus]

I kiss all my snakes...and I've had salmonella and e-coli before thanks to the military using the lowest bidder for water purification while deployed. The only thinkg I ever worry about is my BCO trying to bite my face while getting kissed. The others are a little too small to worry.

[cute3pyth0n]

Yes i kiss my snake.
Never had problems kissing my pets
except the ones with the claws.....

(first post )

[Athen]

ok i gotta ask nathan what in the world is that pic of ?

[PythonWallace]

Nope.

[Myenia]

I understand the dangers of kissing a snake...but I don't see the big deal. I have made the mistake of handling my snake, then eating (or, doing it simultaneously) and didn't get sick...so I assume she's not currently effected. I work at a pet store, and always shower after work before handling her...so as long as I know she's not contracting anything, I assume she remains clean. I isolate her. Kudos to those who are careful/paranoid with their pets...but working at a pet store, I handle way too many animals with too little time to wash up between to be paranoid. This goes the same for all the customers who pick things up and choose not to wash their hands. Never had a problem, so I'm not going to start being afraid now.

[PsYcHo_99]

i kissed my snake once but i didnt know any better lol!

my gf got salmonella after kissing her ball.. kinda sucked.. she was in aggonising pain for a couple of days.. it got better.. now shes ok..

woudn;t advise it

[norcal_707]

Who knows if you will ever actually get salmonella poisoning from your snake, but really why chance it? That is always a possibility when handling something that is known to carry salmonella and by not using even basic hand washing requirements certainly has to increase your chances of getting sick from it. Especially when it comes to your children, I always think it's better to take the proper precautions needed to insure they are safe and healthy. I don't think that having the "It won't happen to me" attitude while being irresponsible and just hoping that it won't happen to you is a good example for any child. Part of being a pet owner is teaching about the different responsibilities and requirements that come along with caring for each pet, which I believe is extremely important. I'm not going to lie and say that it has NEVER happened in my home because just the other day my 3 year old did sneak a little kiss to the snake when I was snapping some pictures of the 2 of them...but it isn't something that I ALLOW or ENCOURAGE. A little kiss every now and then I don't think will present a whole lot of salmonella poisoning danger but to make it a frequent event which is encouraged is, in my opinion, an unnecessary health risk that I would not be willing to take with my own children, or anyone elses for that matter. I also know that it may be a pain to get some kids to really wash their hands every single time they want to touch or did just touch the snake, but it's an important rule my kids have to abide by if they want that privilege. A great product that I came across at my local pet store called Wipe Out 3 is a antiseptic hand gel made especially for sanitizing your hands when handling your reptiles, for your safety as well as your theirs. So if washing your hands properly is something that is just too much of a hassle I would suggest using this product or something similar. It's quick, easy, convenient, and most importantly SAFE for your CHILDREN and your PETS! Here's a pic of the one I have so you have an idea of what to look for.



CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE THEM LARGER

[blackcrystal22]

ok i gotta ask nathan what in the world is that pic of ?

It's a nice fat strain of salmonella isn't it?


You guys realize you have about a 100x better chance of getting salmonella from chicken at any restaurant then from your snake?

It's possible, but not very likely. Yet we still eat restaurant chicken and wash our hands after holding our snakes. Oh irony.