Tag Archives: snakes

Why Toddlers and Snakes Don’t Mix

Stories like this one sicken me, and not just because I am the mother of a young child: Earlier this month a 2-year-old girl living in a rural community located about 50 miles northwest of Orlando was killed by a 12-foot long snake. The toddler wasn’t traipsing around in the woods or visiting an exotic animal zoo. Rather, the little girl was asleep in her bed when the massive albino Burmese python strangled her in the middle of the night. According to police, the snake escaped from a holding tank in the girl’s home. Yes, the snake shared living space … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies: Snakes, Shoes, and Swiss Cheese

It’s Sunday—-time for another dose of “Sunday Travel Funnies” an ongoing series we have going on here in the Travel Blog. This week one of my weaknesses is the subject of amusement—shoes. As for the other two items—-snakes and Swiss cheese, well, let’s just say I have never been a fan of slithery serpents and I’m lactose intolerant. But who said you have to love something to find it funny? SNAKES ON A PLANE Passengers on a recent flight from Egypt to Saudi Arabia may have thought they were on a real life version of “Snakes on a Plane.” According … Continue reading →

Yard and Garden: Controlling Snakes

Even if you don’t live out in the country, you may encounter snakes in your yard or garden. There are various types of snakes, many of which are not only harmless but may also be beneficial. They tend to eat other pests. Still, it is wise to avoid contact with snakes since you may not know which ones are dangerous. Pit vipers have triangle shaped heads with a “dent” or pit between the eyes and should always be avoided. Watch where you step and don’t reach into piles with bare hands. Use a rake or a shovel to reach in … Continue reading →

The Snake in the House Story (a.k.a. The Day Murphy and Kitty Almost Got a Pet)

I’m fortunate to have two animals that make very little noise. Murphy might bark every once in a while when something startles him, and Mr. Meow mews every now and then (mostly when he’s hungry), but for the most part they’re very quiet. So it was with great annoyance that one afternoon when we still lived in Jacksonville I found myself on the phone with a friend and Murphy started creating a ruckus. His bark is deep and loud, like most big dogs, and in this case annoyingly repetitive. Over and over he kept on. I was in the kitchen, … Continue reading →

A House Full of Boys

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I have three grown natural children and five young adopted children. Seven of the eight are boys. I have grown accustomed to knowing what to expect from them. We have five boys in the house who are very close together in age, two and a half to eight. There are some obnoxious behaviors that boys do and no matter how many times the behavior is corrected, they go back to doing it. Boys love to pick up, carry, swing, sword fight and run with sticks. We live on a wooded lot and there are a lot of sticks to choose … Continue reading →

Reptile Basics

Before you make a decision about adding a reptile to your family, be sure you know whether or not reptiles are allowed where you live! Many areas have laws pertaining to dangerous reptiles, including constricting snakes and venomous snakes. Pick a captive bred reptile whenever possible. Wild reptiles that have been tamed are not as used to human handling as captive bred reptiles are. At the pet store or breeder, be sure you pick out a healthy reptile. Look for a reptile with clear, alert eyes and no visible sores or lesions. Make sure your reptile seems to be generally … Continue reading →

Feeding Pre-Killed Prey To Your Snake

Ball pythons are notorious for being fussy eaters. But they may not be the only type of pet snake to refuse a meal once in a while! The most common feeding problem happens when a captive snake isn’t interested in pre-killed prey. So how do you get your fussy friend to dine? A warm meal always seems to taste better! If you’re serving frozen prey, be sure to thaw it in the fridge or in cold water. Place the pre-killed prey in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes just before serving to heat it up to a … Continue reading →

Snakes: Live Prey vs. Pre-Killed Prey

If you’ll be keeping a snake for a pet, you’ve got a large decision on your hands: do you feed live prey, or do you feed pre-killed prey? There are pros and cons to each choice. The case for live prey is a pretty simple one: live prey is the most natural way to feed your snake. If your snake was in the wild, he wouldn’t be dining on frozen, pre-killed prey. He would hunt and feed when he needed to. Live prey is relatively easy to obtain; you can swing by the local pet store when it’s time for … Continue reading →

Setting A Snake Trap

If searching doesn’t turn up your missing snake, it’s time to set a trap. You can set “sound traps” along the walls — crumble plastic bags and put them on the floor along the exposed walls and between furniture. As soon as it’s dark, turn off all the lights and sit quietly with a flashlight. Listen for your snake on the move — it may take a half hour for him to start exploring. Once you hear the noise of the snake moving past the plastic bags, click on the flashlight and nab him! You can also sprinkle a strip … Continue reading →

Searching For A Lost Snake

Even the most careful snake owner may have to deal with an escape artist at some point. So how do you find your lost reptile? Chances are, your snake is still in the house, so start your searching there. If you happen to have any other small pets that may look like potential snake snacks, be sure to put them in a secure place before you start searching. And now… the hunt is on! Start by looking around your snake enclosure, then along the walls and baseboards. Check bookcases, cabinets, and shelves. Look for your sneaky snake on top of … Continue reading →