To think this was dangerous and shouldn't be done ?

[lisalisa]

I've been chewing this over for hours and after the initial excitement was over and I've researched the species, I'm left with the feeling that this was an incredible risk with our safety that was taken today . In this era of health and safety in
Very surprised it "passed" and was rush assessed.
Basically I was at a small farm today - a kind of children's open farm where there are goats , lambs and chickens to let and feed - with my two children today .
Announcements are generally made over a megaphone of feedings or events and this one generated some excitement . There was a snake that they were exhibiting in the grass just by the car park that was very rarely allowed out of its enclosure but was allowed out today. The farm was quite quiet no more than about a dozen people I'd say . All of us crossed the car park where there was a small field . I can't remember what separates the car park from
The field - it was either nothing or it was a low bar - thigh height . In the field was a very large snake just gliding slowly around. There were two handlers with it - I say handlers but they were not specialists . At least one was a young slight girl who's been doing the rabbit feeds just before and the chicken feeds earlier . I think she was just s general farm employee.

The snake was 22 ft long - an African Rock Python . It glided around the field parallel to us for a while no more than a foot away . The handler Explained it was a dangerous and aggressive snake and would attach unprovoked even f not hungry . It was no more than a foot away from us with either no barrier st all between us or just a bar I can't remember . We were all quite spellbound and watched it until the handlers put it away.
It was only when I came home and googled to discover more about the snake that I clicked what a dangerous snake iny is . In a zoo where they are used to such species you woukdnh be invited so Close to one with no proper barrier I'm sure. Snakes are always in their vicariously for a reason. I'm upset and puzzled2 by this as I feel the farm put our safety at risk. If that snake chose to move quickly towards us bearingg in mind it weighed over 100kg and was 22 feet we would not have stood a chance .

AIBU to contact the farm and ask for their opinion on this?

They are described as the most aggresive python (they come out of their eggs striking according to National Geographic!)
However, it seems they reserve their aggression for their prey (we are not their prey... it is very rare that they attack humans, and even more rare that they have killed humans (stories of 2 lads out camping suspected of getting killed by one, but apparently why it attacked is a mystery as it is against their nature)

SO.... what would I do?
I think it is worth a phone call to your petting zoo... just to ensure the owners are aware of the risks (can't imagine they would be unaware)

As long as it is well fed, and kids are not allowed to leap over the barrier (erm, gorilla story anyone?) then I would say you were not put in danger.
Their bite is painful but not venomous... and the presence of 2 handlers would be enough to stop it getting a real hold on a child.

But there is always a risk with animals, wild or otherwise. (Rock Pythons are also the hardest to train)

I recall an enormous rock python on display in open air on a waist high stage and the public were invited to stroke it! My 4 year old bloody loved it. He was told what to do and what not to do and to this day (8 years later) recalls that day with pride.
Looking back I'm stunned they had no issues and the snake was not totally stressed out by the crowds, but it seemed a lovely relaxed creature. (They get sleepy when just fed, maybe it had a full tum?)

Hmm.

UANBU I'd have legged it and I'm not even scared of snakes generally .it sounds strange and unnerving .

I feel sorry for the snake. Rarely let out then showcased briefly. They shouldn't be allowed in this country as far as I'm concerned. Also has it been de-fanged?

Remembers legging it off an island snake farm / zoo in Thailand when the snake 'demonstration' started which turned out to be a prod snake and tease it until it strikes then repeat til fade... With the poor snake biting the poor humans and them laughing at the freaking out westeners. I wasn't sure who to feel sorry for first actually, plenty to go around in that situation I think.

A very young boy showed us how they milked the fangs of poison to make the show safe.

Shudders at the wrongness of the whole thing. Thank goodness I was there on my own (with work colleagues) rather than with DS.

don't get the "you were warned it was dangerous but chose to stay" - when you are at a farm park with animal petting and handlers you do get to assume that the farm have made the appropriate risk assessments, that they would not let dc etc be in any real danger, the comment by the handlers doesn't sound like it was a risk warning, more of a fact talk about the animal. Unfortunately some farm parks may be set up in an unsafe way but it takes someone to question it for this to be brought to the attention of the right people, maybe the farm park have not set their stall up appropriately with this animal or maybe it is fine but a non-expert is not to know that

HI, I would suggest phoning the place you visited to allay your fears. From the way they reply it will be clear if they thought about it or not.

I believe many of the larger snakes swallow an antelope or what ever then don't need to eat for several weeks afterwards.
cheers