4-foot python attacks 15-month-old boy in Charlotte park

[Rachel]

I don't even know where to begin addressing the stupid.

For starters ball pythons aren't native to rainforests. They live in grasslands in Africa. Second, this is the only time I've EVER heard of a ball python, the most harmless python on the planet and one of the most harmless snakes PERIOD, attacking or even injuring a child. Know why they're called BALL pythons? They curl up into a defensive ball when threatened. You often can pick them up straight out of the wild because they're so docile. Yes, individuals can have different reactions when they feel threatened, and I have heard of unusually pissy balls that bite first and ask questions later, but they are in the extreme minority. More people are injured or even killed by dog attacks every year, mostly by Labrador Retrievers, yet no one thinks of outlawing Labs because they're supposedly the perfect all-American pet. Know how many snakes are in my house? Six. Three ball pythons, a Pueblan milk snake, a corn snake, and a Dumerils boa. Know how many have bitten me? Not a one. I've endured constant hamster bites, but have never been bitten by a snake. I'm not saying I never WILL, because all animals are unpredictable, but I would feel safer handling a strange ball python than I would a strange dog. Ball pythons are one of the easiest (I won't say THE easiest, they're notorious for having feeding problems; fortunately all of ours are good little eaters) pet snakes available, and if you can't properly care for one I sure as hell don't think you could properly care for a child. I've had goldfish that were more work.

If the snake had been dumped in a park it was probably hungry, cold (they're used to 90 degree temps in the African savannah, without belly heat snakes can't digest food and they starve), and unbelievably stressed. Under those conditions I'd bite, too.

Also: Burmese dude? If you're alone in a cage with a 23 foot predator and no back-up, that's a Darwin award waiting to happen. I don't care if it was to change his water, feed, medicate, or give him shiatsu massage. Avoidable deaths are the reason legislators are in a tizzy to make laws against owning pythons. You're lucky your snake lost interest before you became a statistic.

[jrt11]

Snakes are like Pit Bulls because they usually attract the same types of owners: Rednecks and ghetto dwellers.

[Jennifer]

I just stumbled upon this page because I was searching the internet to research Ball Pythons...My daughter has wanted one for years but could not have one until now because the previous landlord was "scared" of snakes, and we just moved. A couple of the sites I found said "Never put your snake around your neck, because it could constrict." Seeing as how I have already had experiences with ball pythons, I thought this was malarkey...every one that I had ever known LOVED to be around your neck because the neck/head gives off the most heat and they love to nuzzle in your hair....And knowing the BP's I have known, I decided to google it...Anyhoo, this is one of the only articles I have seen about 'Ball Python Attacks' I am a Mother, and a snake owner (as many of you said) And, yes, if for some reason my snake goes batty and tries to suffocate my child, I will saw her head off...But honestly, I don't see taht happening. My suggestion is, to all you anti-snake people....Do your homework...Which kills more children every single day? SNAKES or PITBULLS? I personally love ALL God's creatures, but PLEASE have a leg to stand on with your arguments, people,,,,,

[Jennifer]

And, no...I don't live in a ghetto nor the South, jrt11....I life in an affluent New England town.

[Snakelover]

I believe people that have little knowledge about snakes are ignorant. First of all yes, the snake should not have been loose in the pet store. Second why is it always parents that don't watch their kids at stores are the same parents that will sue the store for their kid getting into things & as a result getting hurt. If you can't watch your kid you either need to stay home or find a sitter, or not have children or put your child on a leach. Why are YOU letting your kid run loose. Ignorant!!!

[fuzzy]

I found 90% of your comments funny as hell. Ball pythons are not one for attacking at all. I would guess the kid did something for the snake to bite. Also a bite will not do much harm at all. If the people where not so thick all they would have to do is hold the snakes body. You tools need to learn about snakes before u start jumping on things. The mum is to blame for this one. She should have never let such a young kid that close to snake. Kids have no clue how to handle animals.if I had kids sticky fingers on me I would bite him 2 :). Snakes are great pets if looked after right and if people know how to handle them.

[fuzzy]

jrt11 wrote:

Snakes are like Pit Bulls because they usually attract the same types of owners: Rednecks and ghetto dwellers.

Well your talking part shit there. Not all snakes are are going to attack you. Just like not all dogs will attack you. Go learn about the right things before you try to act smart. I'm a Scot and iv got a ball python. Never had him bite. Iv had him round my neck playing the 360. Have him out all the time. He is more scared off open space than anything else.

[Thank You]

Ballpythonnut wrote:

Ball pythons are a small, non-venomous snake that rarely exceeds 4-5 feet and are almost always docile and passive. It is likely that the snake bit only as a defensive response to being startled or perhaps even stepped on. A cat or dog would likely do the same, only with much worse results. Ball pythons do NOT pose a significant risk to humans; only mice and other small rodents their prey items. There's also no reason (other than ignorance perhaps) to beat the snake afterward.

Thank goodness someone here has some common sense!