Is anyone else slightly traumatised by the recent spate of escaped snake stories?

[AliTheMinx]

I am terrified of snakes and the recent story about a man finding a snake in his bathroom in Exeter and then the boa constrictor on the East London street has put the fear of God into me. I fear I shall never sleep again...

I’m appalled that people are allowed to keep snakes when they aren’t capable of keeping them in their premises. I am really scared of snakes and don’t think they should be kept as pets.

Yes totally. I am phobic and this is a horrible trend,

Fuck yeah! So scared of snakes and not enjoying all these stories of the beasts sizing up and eating people, devouring pigeons, biting innocent toilet goers and so on

Err yes, when it was just down the road from me!!

Yeah the east London one is super close to my home!!!

I wasn't until I read this 😫🤣. I hate them scaly fuckers. DD wants one. She can bog right off.

Me too. I’m a police officer and I am terrified of being called out to a call like that

Yes and/but/or what about those tarantulas that got loose somewhere up north???!!! ARGH! This is England ffs!

Love snakes. But agree with you all that they should be licensed. So people can't just buy them and then chuck them out. (Unless they're like the 4 foot grass snake in my compost heap that I don't own).

But then I think that should be done with all pets. If you want a dog or cat, pay for a license. If you can't afford the licence, you can't afford the pet. Ditto snakes (love) tarantulas (not so much).

Glad it's not just me! The stories of snakes in toilets are horrifying... I always check before I sit down! That one in Exeter had been missing for 2.5 weeks and the owners didn't think to notify anyone! What is wrong with people?! I think I'd have to leave the country if I knew my neighbours had a snake...

Tarantula on the loose??! faints

But then I think that should be done with all pets. If you want a dog or cat, pay for a license. If you can't afford the licence, you can't afford the pet.
This with bells on, and compulsory insurance.

I got attacked by an escaped pitbull yesterday :(

Crosstalk - did you say there's a snake on your compost heap? In your garden????! How do you sleep at night?!

Where in the north? What tarantulas? Oh bugger!

There was a photo before of an escaped snake eating a pigeon 🤮. I don't like either.

\I got attacked by an escaped pitbull yesterday

You cant be in the Uk then.

I am bucking the trend here as I have a snake, mine is the baby so to speak of the python family .A Royal python more commonly known as a Ball python .Mine is in a secure locked vivarium and my DC's handle with my supervision. I don't agree with the big ones such as Boa's etc being kept at home unless the person can prove they are capable .Snakes are not a hobby animal they need constant heat and correct care .I would happily see a license brought in so that you register your snake .People who are neglectful and allow their snakes to escape should not have them .It is incredibably cruel and dangerous if it is one of the larger snakes to allow the snake out loose and I appreciate not everyone likes snakes like me and would rightly be very scared.

Absolutely agree about pets being licensed. Crikey - I hope you're OK, Malwod? Sounds terrifying...

If it's any help, snakes are naturally very shy creatures and rarely attack unless threatened... or you're a rat or mouse or other prey

There have been a few pythons found in SW London
I assume they are abandoned pets

Yes, very traumatised!

NewYearNewMe18
Accidental name change.

No, I’m in Canada.

another one who was in blissful ignorance before reading this terrifying thread

We have 9 snakes. Nothing massive, just some corns, pythons and a king snake