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 in Australia so a bit more used to being careful of where to walk etc (beaches, country areas, long grass). But there were Facebook posts a while ago of someone who had lost their snake locally. I thought it was a warning to be careful of said dangerous snake. Instead it was 'poor guys lost his snake' and people commenting 'oh no, poor snake.' Wtf.

I had a thread on Sunday about me being bitten by a snake in my SW London garden. Most people who were fairly knowledgeable about snakes thought I hadn't, but not all. A dry bite from an adder was the only faint possibility.

It's now 2 weeks since it happened and I've convinced myself it wasn't a snake bite. However my DD just noticed it, has endlessly googled and is certain it's an adder bite.

I'm not scared of snakes particularly, but will be wearing wellies in the garden for the foreseeable, just in case.

Can’t even read this thread. Omg. They are my absolute fear.

@Paddley

As a very amateur herpetologist I can't say much other than your DD is likely wrong. If she's correct then it's luck.

Telling the species of snake from a bit is nigh on impossible.

I'm not bothered by snakes, held a 20kg boa on holiday once, she was beautiful.

If I heard a tarantula had escaped on my street though I'd sell up and move

Trazey, the adder was blamed because it appears to be the only UK snake that could be the culprit, not because she has any special knowledge.

I have a royal python, he’s securely locked away and we wouldn’t have a snake that would ever get big enough to not be able to handle them. Where we bought our snake from wouldn’t sell the cheaper ‘normal’ pythons as they reckon too many people don’t do enough research and then dump them. When they’ve paid £££ for the snake they’re less likely to dump and look to rehome.
I love my boy

@Paddley

Grass snakes rarely bite but can. Adders are rare.

Your premises is incorrect.

@Grumpbum123

You can handle a 5' python?

Jesus wept.

Yes we’re stronger than them plus I don’t let my boy (who’s snake it is) put it round his neck or anything daft

For all those saying that owners who's snake escaped didn't notify anyone - who on earth do you think should be notified? There is no restriction on keeping the majority of non venomous snakes which are popular as pets in the UK.

Do you think the council/police or even RSPCA would be interested if you called up to tell them your mostly harmless pet had escaped?

I very much they have escaped. The owners just got bored and released them. Sounds better to say they escaped.

I got chased by a snake charmer (with snake) through the big square in Marrakesh after I refused to let my husband give him the equivalent of £10 for taking his photo. Fcking scary running away whilst trying not to stand on any of the other snakes (and their charmers.) Urgh shudders*

Snakes are my bIggest fear. I hate the way they slither, their horrible beady eyes and that awful forked tongue. I'm sure if I was confronted by one I would due of paralysing fear. We sometimes get slow worms in our garden, which I know théy aren't snakes. But equally as scary to me. On the other hand of spiders and gave held a tarantula in a pet shop. I am the one who has to move spiders in this house as my dh hates them.
I hate seeing pictures of snakes and any tv programme with snakes in.

" on the other hand I am not scared of spiders "

@Grumpbum123

"Yes we’re stronger than them"

Seems a bit sick to make bets but I bet you're not. A man-sized python is many times stronger than you. inch for inch you don't have a chance. Shame you weren't taught that.

When we catch pythons we have one person per 3' of snake and round up. 5' python = 3 men for safe handling.

Just to say though, as an animal lover, I detest the way people keep snakes locked in or wherever they keep them. Treating an animal like that is unacceptable.

I was taught it actually and proved by unwrapping a 5ft (by the way mine won’t reach that) from around a wrist.

Are you talking about royals or the less docile retics

Horrible thread and horrible Guardian article

I've seen a good few adders this year (just basking in the sun) and that's been mostly in wooded areas. There was one in the garden a few weeks ago that made a sharp exit when I opened the door. I'm in the UK.

I have pythons of about 4/5ft and I can assure you that a child can easily unwrap them from round their waist etc.
Indian pythons are the big, heavy snakes that require multiple handlers.

You are all terrifying me! I’m Australian and absolutely phobic about the slithering bastards. Summer here is not great for me. I was counting on moving over to you- now you have them on the loose!

Spiders I can deal with, so I’d be cool with the tarantula escapees.

Are you in Cornwall RossPoldarksFloozie ?

Thank you @SugarIsAmazing