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Dangers to Children |
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06-14-2006, 12:48 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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are adult ball pythons dangerous to children??
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06-14-2006, 08:18 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ashburnham, Massachusetts
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With proper supervision, an adult ball python is no threat to a child, however, unsupervised and if a feeding response is provoked, an extremely small child could be in danger. Lyn
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Warmest Regards from Lyn
My Reptiles Keep my Mother-in-Law Away!
Now that's an accomplishment...lol
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06-14-2006, 08:34 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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I have a ball python and a two year old that get along alright, you just have to make sure that you know their body language and handle them often. Also you should make sure that your children know how to be around snakes, they should remain calm around them and move slowly.
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06-14-2006, 09:18 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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How old are the children?
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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!
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06-14-2006, 09:19 AM
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Hello,
I currently have a 2 year old as well as a 6 year old in my home with 2 Ball Pythons and a Cornsnake. They handle each of the snakes without any issues. (Supervised.)
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06-14-2006, 12:36 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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Though my chldren are older now, they have always been around snakes and have always been supervised. Remember that they are in fact wild animals, and as such can be unpredictable regardless of how "tame" they are.
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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "
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06-14-2006, 08:07 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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However the snake is NOT going to eat your children. 
my grand kids handle mine all the time.
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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!
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06-14-2006, 09:20 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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This is one of my favorite questions. I am all in favor of children being educated on how to handle "pet" snakes. However there are a few mistakes that anyone, especially small children can make. First, most snakes, especially ball pythons, can be head shy, most children almost always go to the face area to pet the snake. Second, most people will point, and with snakes having poor eyesight and great heat receptors, the end of our finger looks lke a food source. Third, squeezing, when a snake moves suddenly the reaction can be to squeeze to regain control.
With a little time and education anyone can learn to handle a snake to minimize the risk of being bit. Start slow let the child hold the body but you remain in control of the snakes head.
Lastly and the hardest part. When you get bit, it's not the actual bite that hurts, it's the reaction humans have to pull away. With snakes having recurved teeth this is where most of the damage is inflicted.
I have spent years teachig kids about snakes, and letting them handle mine, I have never had a child bitten during one of my talks, but my hands are never far from the snakes. I myself have only been bitten three times and all three it was my fault, not the snakes.
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06-15-2006, 12:27 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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Don't forget to teach the kids to wash their hands after handling herps!
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"What is now proven was once only imagined." - William Blake
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06-16-2006, 12:01 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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I wouldn't think any more that any other snake. I think that Ball Pythons are a GREAT snake for children as they do not have that drive to take off and explore as other snakes do! They are easily handled and as the others have said if kids are shown how to properly support the snake they are quite content in being held!
Steve
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