A 7ft python was found today in a pile of logs somewhere in the Southern counties. I was thinking about it while watching the news, and I tried to imagine the shock of moving a log to see a 7ft python in England!

I don't like to think how I'd react, but I'm sure it wouldn't be very well! Luckily it was a python so not poisonous and not dangerous if you don't get too close.

How someone could let a 7ft python escape is beyond me, but whoever it was needs to be more responsible!

I can safely say that that if I picked up a log in my back garden and discovered a 7ft python my first thought wouldn't be "don't worry, it's not poisnonous", but instead be "run away as quickly as possible!".

I would think that the python probably didn't escape by accident, perhaps the owner had bought the pet without thinking it through and then couldn't look after it properly. If they had been keeping the pet poorly, they might not want to ring thte RSPCA for fear of being fined or reprimanded, so they just let it go.

I don't think people realise how much work a pet can be, especially ones with special needs like exotic snakes.

I would be shocked to see a seven foot python here in the US, never mind in England! Snakes are certainly escape artists, but a snake of that size was probably released into the wild due to someone finding out that a big python is much more difficult to care for than that person expected. There are also people who have children, and decide that having a snake that can easily eat one's baby is not such a good idea.

Sounds like an irresponsible owner 'dumping' the snake to me.

Kingfisher

I disagree with snakes being kept as pets anyway, particuarly pythons who get that big!
I wouldn't imagine it possible to have a relationship with a 7 foot python or how the snake would benefit from being kept in a glass cage all its life.

That's exactly what I thought when I read the story! People are very shortsighted when buying pets, even more so when buying exotic pets who need special care.

Yes, there are quite a few people who acquire pets such as tigers and other large cats, or large reptiles such as iguanas, and do not realise the implications of those pets.

In many places, the keeping of exotic cats is controlled by law. There may not be the same restrictions on iguanas, but the US is overrun in places (Florida) by iguanas which have been illegally abandoned by their owners.

Kingfisher