Safety with large snakes

The state of Florida has been dealing with the issue of invasive species for many years. It is only recently that the problem has begun to get national attention. On July 2, 2009 a two year old was killed by a pet Burmese python that had escaped its cage in the middle of the night.

The snake probably got out, was cold and went looking for a heat source. It found the two year old child and somehow the toddler spooked the snake and it reacted defensively, wrapping it's nearly eight feet of muscle around her cutting off oxygen and blood.

It's a tragedy for sure, but could this have been avoided and still had the snake as a family pet? I believe the answer is a resounding yes! But it comes down to knowing, and following the proper safety measures.

Housing:

Clearly the snake was not housed in a secure location. It got out of the glass aquarium it was in. Glass aquariums are fine for smaller snakes, but something like a Burmese or Reticulated python MUST have an appropriately designed snake cage. That's not to say they're escape proof but the chance is very much mitigated when the cage is designed to handle large animals.

Handling:

When you have a large snake you need to respect its size and power. AT ALL TIMES! Doing so could easily cost you your life, or worse yet it could cost a friend or family member their life. Large snakes are EXTREMELY powerful creatures. Most people don't realize just how strong they are until they're struggling to get a coil unwrapped. That's why there is safety in numbers when it comes to handling a large constrictor. The rule of thumb is 1 person for every 2 feet of length over 6 feet.

Knowledge:

This is probably the most important thing you can do in order to stay safe around snakes. Be knowledgeable about the animal you are working with. Be knowledgeable about your own limitations. There's no shame whatsoever in needing someone to help you with a large snake. In fact it is prudent. Knowledge is more than just being able to handle the large snake. It is also knowing what threatens the snake collecting hobby.Unfortunately the media sensationalizes everything and then ruins it.