Comments on: Summer In The City: Albino Giant Snakes

By: GinnyR

GinnyR — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:55:19 +0000

Thank you spotshouse.

I was doing a little google follow-up and found a very interesting and perhaps unintentionally funny ’05 National Geographic article about Python Pete, a Beagle that was being trained to sniff out snakes in the Glades. (quote-”As he does in training, Pete will stay on a leash once he is on real missions. The aim is to keep the beagle from becoming a snake snack. “)

Further googling of Pete yielded not much and I am wondering if this was a real story or a crypto story (lol)

If true there is a reason for keeping some captured snakes alive…

Quote “Oberhofer puts a captive live python in a mesh bag and drags it through a grass field for 50 feet (15 meters) to create a scent trail. There, she leaves the bagged snake and Pete’s favorite rope toy.”

My apologies if this has already been a discussion on this site, but it is news to me. I certainly didn’t see any thing about Pete on the MonsterQuest episode about monster snakes!

I hope Pete the Beagle is chasing nothing more than lizards in his backyard today if he exists. Although the lizards down here are getting pretty darn big as well

By: spotshouse

spotshouse — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:19:49 +0000

Thank you GinnyR; I will make my comment clearer. The reason you rarely see wild albino snakes is because as babies they are taken out as prey. They are very visible and unable to hide. Practically all predators (hawks, owls, coyotes, raccoons, opposums, turtles and more) love to eat baby snakes. With no claws, no venom and insignificant teeth, they’re an easy snack. I think there may still be some predators of large snakes such as alligators and wild hogs.
I think the reason that these snakes are re-homed is because they are part of the pet trade in the first place.

By: GinnyR

GinnyR — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:11:30 +0000

Most snake morphs practically blend in to wild habitat. You don’t see a lot of wild albinos because of that; they make great prey!

Hello every one. I’m brand new here but have been reading for about a year or so. Not sure I have spotshouse’s quote properly, if not it is my first sentence.

I live in Broward County Fl, a long way from the ‘glades, but I have seen big snakes in my neighborhood. I want to ask what preys upon these snakes, albino or not, as it is my understanding that they have no enemies here besides cars. That is the problem.

I know what happened to the coyotes back when government bounty was put on them, but now that Florida is passing a snake bounty I am thinking it is about time.

The snakes have no natural enemies so shouldn’t we kill them when we find them? The idea that they are captured and found ‘homes’ makes no sense to me. Coyotes and wolves and rattlesnakes belong here, but constrictors do not.

Keep in mind that Florida has passed a law making it a crime to shoot Bigfoot if you should run into him here.

By: silver moon

silver moon — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:13:03 +0000

As a snake owner for many years, I personally have noticed the increased prevalance of albinos in general. As they become more popular in pet shops, the numbers invariably released into the wild are going to go up as well, it seems to me.

By: spotshouse

spotshouse — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:39:59 +0000

Hi! (raising my hand) I’m one of those herp people. I have never noticed an albino python having any different personality than a normally colored python. Understanding, of course, that some pythons can be rather testy. A person does have to handle snakes to keep them in a “tame” temperament.
I do have an idea, though, on the coincidence of albino snakes showing up. It’s simply that albinos are much more visible than normally colored snakes. Most snake morphs practically blend in to wild habitat. You don’t see a lot of wild albinos because of that; they make great prey!

By: cryptidsrus

cryptidsrus — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:31:01 +0000

Beautiful snake—though I can understand why some folk would get frustrated with keeping and feeding it.
Thankfully, this critter will be taken care of properly now.

By: patspain

patspain — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:45:14 +0000

Hello Loren, Great article! I work with large constrictors A LOT (I've even tried to a track a few of the loose ones you've mentioned on this site!) and have never found albino or any other color morph to be more or less aggressive than any other. I think the reporter was saying inexperienced snake owners are drawn to the “cool” factor of an albino without realizing the commitment and potential for problems as they get older. I regularly work with a 16 foot albino burm and she’s a sweetheart, wouldn’t hurt anyone. Anyone looking to get a constrictor though should start with a ball-python and, in a few years, if all is going well, move onto a burm or one of the boa species. And please, if you can’t take care of your pet DON’T SET IT FREE! There are tons of options open to you, places and people who would be happy even to take an aggressive snake off of your hands.