South Africa's Bite Darwin Award Winners

[Puff the Magic Adder]

I might have the winning image somewhere

Would this be the photo a juvenile Forest Cobra receiving a full on mouth to mouth smooch?
If so, I second it, if not, I nominate it.

[glasbyb]

Can I get a census from members as to how many are pro free handling, in particular with regards to public demonstrations?

[bubblesharp]

I would like to nominate the parents of this child for the award, and its not even a venomous snake!

This image comes from http://www.mccarthyboas.com/BigSnake3.html



Yes it is cute, washing the snake like that, and it seems like the snake enjoys it and is probably very tame and used to it, but still dangerous and stupid, especially with a small child.
The injuries that could be inflicted by such a snake on such a small child in half the time it would take the parents to realize and act could potentially be fatal. or at the very least some serious injuries and emotional scarring.

Just plain Stupid

[froot]

When they speak about a cleansing diet I don't think that's what they have in mind.

[bubblesharp]

When they speak about a cleansing diet I don't think that's what they have in mind.

WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ROFLMAO

[Pieter89]

That child is to that snake almost as a pinky to hatchling corn snake... it's madness

[Wolf777]

Scary, I wouldn't even attempt that, nevermind let a child do it.

[snake kid]

You get crazy people in life, lots of my friends think im crazy for having snakes as pets hehehe wait till they see these pictures ill be normal to them once again wahoo. No I think people that play with fire should get burned, but now us fire fighters also get a bad reputation. That's one big meta-for by the way

[Psammophis]

Apologies for the absence seems like the Cowboys have been quiet until this morning.



As seen here
http://durban.gumtree.co.za/c-Pets-other-pets-hypo-motely-corn-snake-pair-and-copperhead-pair-W0QQAdIdZ298411858

Any one care to message the seller?

[Kev]

I dropped him a mail.
I'll let you know when I get a response.

[Kev]

I sent a few Emails to the would be seller, and must say his response was more responsible then one would think.
Over all I don’t understand why people free handle venomous reptiles,
and my views on what it dose to the hobby are much the same as allot of people so no point in stating them again.

I sent the following mail:

Hi, I like the look of the snake in your hand.
I googled it and think it is the copperhead?
How much would you want for the pair?
And are they nice friendly snakes to keep as pets?

We sent a few mails back and forth.

His first response was that I should do more research as copperheads have a nasty bite, and make good display snake not for handling.
Good point, something all people should convey when selling venomous reptiles.

He gave me his reasons for free handling and although I do not agree with free handling full stop,
I also don’t feel it is my place to put his opinion onto a public forum without his consent, so I will leave it at that.

[monopeltis]

Look at the location of the ad

[_THEO_]

The seller is on the forum..

[Durban Keeper]

Careful now Monopeltis, you might be stepping on some toes here!

[J_Bay]

Wow...I just read this whole post from start to finish, and some of the wise cracks and clever pics had me literally laughing out loud...If people thought I was slightly dodgy before they know it for sure now, lol!

I absolutely agree that these "Boskobra Kowboys" are endangering our hobby. If any of our esteemed snake wrangles want proof that a few sub standard people can ruin things for everyone, just look at how our American friends had to fight to keep their snakes all because a Florida governor decided to restrict snakes to stop people releasing them into the wild in America. How is this related out Kowboy friends will ask, well, the idiots that released their pythons and anacondas into the Florida keys are in the minority of the snake keepers, just like the "wranglers" are here, but because they did something STUPID and they did it PUBLICLY the government stepped in and the whole herping hobby was nearly destroyed there.

I personally do not want to see the hobby disappear here, nor do I want the government to decide it needs to start regulating things, as it is owning guns which I enjoy to is now a mission to the power of 10 so the further the government stays from reptile keeping the better. If the "wranglers" don't like being talked about on here or having their outrageous photo's made fun of on the site then they can kindly continue their dimwitted practices in the privacy of their own home where no one can see them, and when they get bitten they should please make sure they have the Anti Venom on hand so that they don't need to go making scenes in the hospitals and crying about how they just got bitten by a LIFE threatening reptile and now need help!