DS's Python Freaks Me Out

[Anonymous]

Last year, after much hemming and hawing, DH and I agreed to let 17 year-old DS buy a snake on the condition that he took care of it alone. My son has always been very responsible, and I trust his judgement— he selected a small (3-4 ft python) which he keeps in a large tank in his room. He never takes it out of his room, rarely takes it out of its tank, he keeps its food (baby rats — gross) in a separate mini-fridge, and he clearly loves it like another kid might love a dog (talks to it in a baby voice, cuddles it, etc.).

Now, I’ve never had a fear of snakes, but this thing gives me the creeps. For starters, whenever I enter DS’s room, the snake turns to face me. Even if it’s asleep, it’ll wake up just to stare at me. It also does that tongue-flicky thing but I understand all snakes do that. More irritatingly, the snake has a fairly strong “snakey” smell. While it wouldn’t normally be a problem as it doesn’t leave his room, I swear I’m starting to smell it in the kitchen or our bedroom.

Things came to a head last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom and I swear I saw the snake on the hallway floor. When I checked this morning, the tank was locked shut with the snake inside, but it freaked me out anyway.

I understand that my DS loves his snake, and I don’t want to get rid of it. But is there some way I could get him to keep a closer eye on it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year, after much hemming and hawing, DH and I agreed to let 17 year-old DS buy a snake on the condition that he took care of it alone. My son has always been very responsible, and I trust his judgement— he selected a small (3-4 ft python) which he keeps in a large tank in his room. He never takes it out of his room, rarely takes it out of its tank, he keeps its food (baby rats — gross) in a separate mini-fridge, and he clearly loves it like another kid might love a dog (talks to it in a baby voice, cuddles it, etc.).

Now, I’ve never had a fear of snakes, but this thing gives me the creeps. For starters, whenever I enter DS’s room, the snake turns to face me. Even if it’s asleep, it’ll wake up just to stare at me. It also does that tongue-flicky thing but I understand all snakes do that. More irritatingly, the snake has a fairly strong “snakey” smell. While it wouldn’t normally be a problem as it doesn’t leave his room, I swear I’m starting to smell it in the kitchen or our bedroom.

Things came to a head last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom and I swear I saw the snake on the hallway floor. When I checked this morning, the tank was locked shut with the snake inside, but it freaked me out anyway.

I understand that my DS loves his snake, and I don’t want to get rid of it. But is there some way I could get him to keep a closer eye on it?

Starting from the position that I would have vetoed the snake myself, you cannot insist that your son, who is taking perfect care of this thing, "keep a closer eye on it" based on your nighttime imaginings. The snake wasn't out of its cage; you freaked yourself out because you don't like it and it was the middle of the night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, after much hemming and hawing, DH and I agreed to let 17 year-old DS buy a snake on the condition that he took care of it alone. My son has always been very responsible, and I trust his judgement— he selected a small (3-4 ft python) which he keeps in a large tank in his room. He never takes it out of his room, rarely takes it out of its tank, he keeps its food (baby rats — gross) in a separate mini-fridge, and he clearly loves it like another kid might love a dog (talks to it in a baby voice, cuddles it, etc.).

Now, I’ve never had a fear of snakes, but this thing gives me the creeps. For starters, whenever I enter DS’s room, the snake turns to face me. Even if it’s asleep, it’ll wake up just to stare at me. It also does that tongue-flicky thing but I understand all snakes do that. More irritatingly, the snake has a fairly strong “snakey” smell. While it wouldn’t normally be a problem as it doesn’t leave his room, I swear I’m starting to smell it in the kitchen or our bedroom.

Things came to a head last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom and I swear I saw the snake on the hallway floor. When I checked this morning, the tank was locked shut with the snake inside, but it freaked me out anyway.

I understand that my DS loves his snake, and I don’t want to get rid of it. But is there some way I could get him to keep a closer eye on it?

Starting from the position that I would have vetoed the snake myself, you cannot insist that your son, who is taking perfect care of this thing, "keep a closer eye on it" based on your nighttime imaginings. The snake wasn't out of its cage; you freaked yourself out because you don't like it and it was the middle of the night.

I saw its eyes.

[Anonymous]

Is the door to his bedroom always closed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the door to his bedroom always closed?

Almost always. Always when he has the python out.

[Anonymous]

I would never allow a snake to live in my house, much less a python.

[Anonymous]

Smell:

You must insist that your son cleans the cage more regularly. It's not good for anyone, even the snake, to live in a dirty environment. Your son therefore needs a second, secure container, to place the snake in when he cleans out the cage. Is there also a smell from the food? Usually they come frozen and are kept frozen until they need to be thawed out before distribution.

That's all. The rest is in your head. You use words that are so biased (tongue flicky? really?) that you are not a credible reporter. It's highly unlikely the snake wandered during the night if you saw it in its cage the next morning. You seem to have integrated into your DNA a hefty dose of biblical fear of snakes, which is unreasonable. They are beautiful creatures deserving of respect. Not my favorite choice of pet, since I prefer giving my labor to pets that can feel and express affection (parrots, dogs, etc). But definitely not creepy. This snake is just behaving like a snake. It smells with its tongue. It looks at you, obviously. You are interesting.

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

I think it's weird to let a 17 year old get a pet that you don't like. He can't take it to college with him. You're about to be in charge of the frozen rats and cage cleaning and everything else, and you're not going to do a good job because you hate it. You'll probably give it away and make your son a lot less happy than he would have been if you'd have said 'no' in the first place.

Anyway, snakes can't open locks. You didn't see it in the hallway.

[Anonymous]

Wait until it gets to be 30 feet long!

[Anonymous]

If the snake did get out it wouldn’t go back in its cage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, after much hemming and hawing, DH and I agreed to let 17 year-old DS buy a snake on the condition that he took care of it alone. My son has always been very responsible, and I trust his judgement— he selected a small (3-4 ft python) which he keeps in a large tank in his room. He never takes it out of his room, rarely takes it out of its tank, he keeps its food (baby rats — gross) in a separate mini-fridge, and he clearly loves it like another kid might love a dog (talks to it in a baby voice, cuddles it, etc.).

Now, I’ve never had a fear of snakes, but this thing gives me the creeps. For starters, whenever I enter DS’s room, the snake turns to face me. Even if it’s asleep, it’ll wake up just to stare at me. It also does that tongue-flicky thing but I understand all snakes do that. More irritatingly, the snake has a fairly strong “snakey” smell. While it wouldn’t normally be a problem as it doesn’t leave his room, I swear I’m starting to smell it in the kitchen or our bedroom.

Things came to a head last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom and I swear I saw the snake on the hallway floor. When I checked this morning, the tank was locked shut with the snake inside, but it freaked me out anyway.

I understand that my DS loves his snake, and I don’t want to get rid of it. But is there some way I could get him to keep a closer eye on it?

Starting from the position that I would have vetoed the snake myself, you cannot insist that your son, who is taking perfect care of this thing, "keep a closer eye on it" based on your nighttime imaginings. The snake wasn't out of its cage; you freaked yourself out because you don't like it and it was the middle of the night.

I saw its eyes.

For next time, re-read your original post to make sure you're coming across as neutral and factual. Because right now we don't believe you with all the ridiculous stuff you said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never allow a snake to live in my house, much less a python.

Plus infinity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the snake did get out it wouldn’t go back in its cage

What if it didn't want me to know it could get out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the snake did get out it wouldn’t go back in its cage

What if it didn't want me to know it could get out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, after much hemming and hawing, DH and I agreed to let 17 year-old DS buy a snake on the condition that he took care of it alone. My son has always been very responsible, and I trust his judgement— he selected a small (3-4 ft python) which he keeps in a large tank in his room. He never takes it out of his room, rarely takes it out of its tank, he keeps its food (baby rats — gross) in a separate mini-fridge, and he clearly loves it like another kid might love a dog (talks to it in a baby voice, cuddles it, etc.).

Now, I’ve never had a fear of snakes, but this thing gives me the creeps. For starters, whenever I enter DS’s room, the snake turns to face me. Even if it’s asleep, it’ll wake up just to stare at me. It also does that tongue-flicky thing but I understand all snakes do that. More irritatingly, the snake has a fairly strong “snakey” smell. While it wouldn’t normally be a problem as it doesn’t leave his room, I swear I’m starting to smell it in the kitchen or our bedroom.

Things came to a head last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom and I swear I saw the snake on the hallway floor. When I checked this morning, the tank was locked shut with the snake inside, but it freaked me out anyway.

I understand that my DS loves his snake, and I don’t want to get rid of it. But is there some way I could get him to keep a closer eye on it?

Starting from the position that I would have vetoed the snake myself, you cannot insist that your son, who is taking perfect care of this thing, "keep a closer eye on it" based on your nighttime imaginings. The snake wasn't out of its cage; you freaked yourself out because you don't like it and it was the middle of the night.

I saw its eyes.

For next time, re-read your original post to make sure you're coming across as neutral and factual. Because right now we don't believe you with all the ridiculous stuff you said.

Agree