Snake danger to infants?

[Skeptic]

Some of my snakes attacking my kids. WARNING - Graphic content. Viewer discretion advised

P.S The croc's not mine

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[Revell13]

Links didn't work mate ^^

[yolz90]

@thundermamma wow that's scary, will keep that in mind

@skeptic, I couldn't open your links mate

[Skeptic]

lets try again

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I don't think they worked again. Stuff it, I'll try it from home later

[Pauls_Pythons]

There is more chance of the child harming the snake than vica versa.
My kids grew up with an array of snakes in the home including some rather big fellas and have grown up with a great appreciation and respect of all animals.

[pretzels]

my 8.5 month old goddaughter loves my coastal. i wouldnt let her near my spotted because he was a demon snake and i didnt trust him one bit but alix loves patches and cracks up when shes crawling all over her arms

[CaptainRatbag]

I think the biggest risk of having reptiles when you have children under 5yo is salmonella. While the most common cases of salmonella infections are caused by contaminated food, these germs can also be caught by handling animals, including reptiles. Young children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness it where the germ may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Young children are at increased risk for Salmonella infection because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths.

However, with good hygiene practice you should not be too worried about it (unless your children have weaker-than-normal immunity system). My two youngest ones are 4 and 2yo and I have been keeping turtles, bearded dragon and recently pythons as well and never have any problems. Just make sure they wash their hands thoroughly after handling the animals and not put their fingers in their mouth while handling (this is easier in theory than in practice!)

Thats so true TM...... ie, dont let your young'uns bite the python

On the bacteria front..... I reckon kids bought up with dogs, cats, reptiles in thier lives devellop better immune systems (unless they are allergic or have weak immune systems). In other words, the germs the littlies interact with will strengthen thier immune system....... imagine a child who has never patted a dog or cat.... reptile..... horse. Never dug in the garden (where the cat has done his business) etc.... then they come in contact with an animal...... very little immunity.
If they have had cats, dogs, horses, rats, reptiles.... thier immune system will go thru the bugs like a D9 bulldozer

IE: The more pets and animals (but still using good hygene) the kids are exposed to in thier life.... the more they will be able to handle as they get older..... all just my untrained opinion

You know the old saying.... what dont kill you...... makes you stronger

[Skeptic]

Third times a charm

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[CaptainRatbag]

No good on th attachment again. Try each on a different line or put spaces between them?

[Jason.s]

Don't listen to your frend snake are great.


And the one your geting is a small snake so don't wory

[longqi]

Im actually quite curious about the Salmonella bits regarding snakes
Salmonella has always been thrown around as a potential disaster waiting to happen

Now I have no doubt that snakes kept in filthy conditions could possibly harbour salmonella

But has there ever been a case of salmonella directly linked back to a snake??
Or is that HUGE RISK of salmonella just another story??

[disintegratus]

We're expecting soon and so many people have asked will we be getting rid of the snakes... People have some really strange ideas about pet pythons. If one was to escape it would seek out a dark warm spot somewhere. Not go looking for babies to strangel. I tell people that having a cat around a baby is far more dangerous and they dont believe me...
Sleeping cat suffocates baby - Telegraph

Yes, but people are generally idiots.

[yolz90]

Don't listen to your frend snake are great.


And the one your geting is a small snake so don't wory

Wow haha

[Ratatouile]

On the bacteria front..... I reckon kids bought up with dogs, cats, reptiles in thier lives devellop better immune systems (unless they are allergic or have weak immune systems).

I am also a firm believer of this theory I grew up eating street food and god knows what (in a third world country) and I had an iron tummy while I can almost guarantee that my Norwegian husband will spend most of the day in the bathroom if he as much as lick the shredded ice dessert bought on the street in Indonesia. He is now wise enough to only drink bottled water simply so we don't have to spend our holiday in the hotel room. I'm not talking about drinking contaminated water though... even I'm not game doing that! Germs in moderation

Im actually quite curious about the Salmonella bits regarding snakes. Salmonella has always been thrown around as a potential disaster waiting to happen. Now I have no doubt that snakes kept in filthy conditions could possibly harbour salmonella. But has there ever been a case of salmonella directly linked back to a snake?? Or is that HUGE RISK of salmonella just another story??

I don't have any medical background and what I know is based on the advise given to me while I was pregnant by medical professionals. I was told that the mother doesn't usually show any symptoms but it can still harm the baby. I don't think it's a huge risk but it is a risk to certain people (ie. those with weaken immunity system). It's probably like toxoplasmosis in cats, rare but possible. One of my cousins was born with skin lesions covering half her face and specialists in Singapore and Australia confirmed it was caused by toxoplasmosis. She is 16yo now and has been having regular laser treatment but it never goes away. Her 3 other siblings are fine so it's a bit like lottery, hey..

I don't know if there ever been a case of salmonella directly linked to snakes (anyone?) but I'm not willing to take chances while my kids are still in the risk category (under 5yo). It won't stop me from keeping reptiles but to keep the risk to a minimum, I will insist that my kids wash their hands before and after handling our animals and before eating. It's hard sometimes because my 2yo loves to share her food with our dog. One bite for me, one bite for you.. one bite for me... The locks on my reptiles' enclosures are more for keeping her out rather than keeping the animals in!

[dragonlover1]

[hide][top]News: Sutton baby contracts Salmonella from pet lizard

Posted Wednesday April 4, 2012
Most of us who keep reptiles are aware that they are a higher risk of being a salmonella source. But many people, especially those new to the keeping of reptiles, are completely unaware of this risk. It's not hard to manage. Washing hands thoroughly with an anti-bacterial soap after the handling of a reptile pretty much reduces the risk to near-nothing. But we must take the precautions if we choose to care for these lizards. Unfortunately, this does not always occur...
"A five-month-old baby was rushed to hospital after contracting a potentially fatal-infection from an exotic family pet. A warning has now been issued to all reptile owners after tests on the baby, that was suffering from severe diarrhea, revealed he was suffering from the effects of Salmonella pomona, a rare type of bacteria linked to reptiles.