Reticulated Python or Burmese Python?

[chloe]

Um, who is going to be killed by an 8 foot snake, whether its a burm or retic? A 20 footer poses at least 10x the danger.

LOLZ....that funny i had to put the Z on the end.

 

[chloe]

It's hard to make that assumption until you have held an eight footer. I know some people don't agree, but to me an 8 foot snake is nothing special. I've dealt with them many times before, and I have been bitten and had them constrict on me before. I have NEVER felt any danger, and if your prepared and you stay calm its generally no problem at all. An eight foot snake has power, but it doesn't have hands and it doesn't really understand leverage. And I have never put a constrictor around my neck. That is, no offence, but it's kinda stupid. The thing I worry most about is infection after a bite, and getting bit by a large snake is no fun.

I'm not suggesting anyone do this, but it just doesn't bother me. I've never had an issue before.

right, u HAVE had experience, so say, to u, me and andy, an 8ft is hardly a threat. yet u have to remember that u are giving advice to someone that DOESNT have experience with large snakes. if an 8ft did anything to him, he would be screwed. i think thats more the point.

i still would take the same caution with an 8ftr as 20ft, not worth my life over one min of not paying attention.

 

[A. gigas]

I think his point is that such a snake has the capacity to kill you and should be respected as you very well realize and do based on your posts. Now the likelihood of this happening is much smaller than with a larger snake especially if you follow safe handling techniques including the ones that you and others have mentioned.

right, u HAVE had experience, so say, to u, me and andy, an 8ft is hardly a threat. yet u have to remember that u are giving advice to someone that DOESNT have experience with large snakes. if an 8ft did anything to him, he would be screwed. i think thats more the point.

i still would take the same caution with an 8ftr as 20ft, not worth my life over one min of not paying attention.

Precisely^

I totally agree. The fact also remains that as far as I know, no adult human has ever been killed by a constrictor under 18-20 feet. I am not 100% on that, but I am fairly certain. That doesn't mean it wont happen, but it is very unlikely. I have seen people handle them with no respect whatsoever, and you never hear of people being killed by them. I think there have been 12 deaths by pythons since 1980. 6 of them were very small children and the rest were taken down by huge snakes that those individuals had no business handling or even being in the same room with.

I remember a few months ago someone was killed by a 8 or 9 foot boa right here in Houston, I'll see if I can dig up the article.

People shouldn't take this as a reason for them to get one, thinking that they are easy to handle, because they aren't. But the facts are there and they show that someone like me, a 6 foot 3 inch tall, 18 year old healthy guy who is accustomed to dealing with large snakes, being taken out by an 8 foot python is rediculous.

I agree, but I still think that even if it isn't as much of a threat, the same precautions should still be taken. Just my opinion. I would kinda hate my last thought to be "Crap, thought this couldn't happen.."

And to Andy and A. Gigas, if I offended any of you I apologize. I was just trying to make a point and I'm a little passionate about reptiles, if you can't tell.

No offense taken mate, I wasn't trying to cause offense either, I personally just think that they should be treated with the same amount of respect no matter how big they are, just my opinion.

 

[AndyG.]

And to Andy and A. Gigas, if I offended any of you I apologize. I was just trying to make a point and I'm a little passionate about reptiles, if you can't tell.

None taken...you know what they say, opinions are like buttholes...everyone has one. lol

We can agree to disagree and I'm ok with that.

 

[A. gigas]

^