2 Kids killed by snake
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AND if you charge enough for a permit to cover the cost of inspection, most people aren't going to bother with buying a permit and will just keep them quietly at home with no permit. Dog licenses range from $15-$46 per dog in my city, and already most people ignore those because they won't bother with checking your license unless your dog is loose or causes trouble.
I know so many people that are really into herping, not just for the cool factor, but because they really love and appreciate these animals. They properly care for, confine, and handle (or not, if it's not safe) them. It would really suck if they were banned from having these animals, or if they had to go to impossible lengths to keep them. Bad owners really ruin it for the rest of them, people that have them because they were attainable and if they get banned, they will find something else to interest them. Or keep them anyway. 
I know so many people that are really into herping, not just for the cool factor, but because they really love and appreciate these animals. They properly care for, confine, and handle (or not, if it's not safe) them. It would really suck if they were banned from having these animals, or if they had to go to impossible lengths to keep them. Bad owners really ruin it for the rest of them, people that have them because they were attainable and if they get banned, they will find something else to interest them. Or keep them anyway.
So apparently the snake was "caught and in a cage" by the time that the owner contacted the police... sounds fishy to me.
This whole thing just doesn't add up. As for putting the snake down, yes, I can see why they did it. We are not legally allowed to own snakes more than 3 meters, I believe, in NB. So that snake couldn't be rehomed, and it's not like they could ship it to Africa and let it go. Our closest zoo isn't equipped to deal with it, as they already have three, I believe, large snakes. Plus, this snake in particular was known to be aggressive...
I just can't understand how it FELL through the ceiling and no one heard 100lbs dropping to the floor? That'd be pretty loud. The snake didn't 'smother' the boys by laying on it from heat, it's supposed to have constricted around them and killed them that way... Again, what I can't understand is how it got both of them at the same time before someone could scream or make noise. That and snakes don't constrict when they attack out of aggression. They hiss, then strike. Constricting is a feeding response. So the snake would have tried to swallow at least one. Nasty to talk about, I know. But it just doesn't add up to me. And that said, with the pressure that a snake can constrict, wouldn't some (if not most) bones have been broken?
I am interested to see what comes out of the investigation.. because I honestly don't feel like the snake is to blame for the deaths here...
This whole thing just doesn't add up. As for putting the snake down, yes, I can see why they did it. We are not legally allowed to own snakes more than 3 meters, I believe, in NB. So that snake couldn't be rehomed, and it's not like they could ship it to Africa and let it go. Our closest zoo isn't equipped to deal with it, as they already have three, I believe, large snakes. Plus, this snake in particular was known to be aggressive...
I just can't understand how it FELL through the ceiling and no one heard 100lbs dropping to the floor? That'd be pretty loud. The snake didn't 'smother' the boys by laying on it from heat, it's supposed to have constricted around them and killed them that way... Again, what I can't understand is how it got both of them at the same time before someone could scream or make noise. That and snakes don't constrict when they attack out of aggression. They hiss, then strike. Constricting is a feeding response. So the snake would have tried to swallow at least one. Nasty to talk about, I know. But it just doesn't add up to me. And that said, with the pressure that a snake can constrict, wouldn't some (if not most) bones have been broken?
I am interested to see what comes out of the investigation.. because I honestly don't feel like the snake is to blame for the deaths here...
Okay, now I'm even more suspicious.
WARNING! TMI graphic constriction descriptions!!!!
To answer your question about constricting, it depends a lot on the individual snake and their feeding experience. I had some who it didn't matter if I offered dead or live, they would strike and then constrict so suddenly and violently that bones would snap all over the place (it sounded like bubblewrap, gross). If the blood was still fluid inside the prey item's body, it wasn't unusual for blood to come out the nose or mouth.
Others would just wrap up and squeeze gradually. I remember having to feed live rodents a very few times. Those guys would grab and squeeze, and with each breath they'd tighten up just a TINY bit until the animal could no longer take a breath in. Interestingly, those animals didn't act stressed. They could still breathe and stuff, but never struggled or made any sounds of distress.
Then a handful of others didn't bother constricting at all, despite being constrictors. They'd just gently slither up and start swallowing.
Either way, it'd be very obvious if the snake was a crusher. The kids could have yelled if it was a hugger, and obviously it wasn't a swallow-without-constricting-first type either.
I read that part of the reason the snake was put down is because they needed to do an autopsy on it too. Which is sad, but I guess makes sense in cases where it's suspected of taking human life. I do wish they'd waited until after the autopsy report came back though, as it might not have been involved at all.
ETA: And who the crap finds two dead children, then spends time putting an escaped python in its cage WHILE THERE ARE TWO DEAD CHILDREN ON THE FLOOR!?!?!? Without calling 911 first?!?! This is really really sounding wrong.
WARNING! TMI graphic constriction descriptions!!!!
To answer your question about constricting, it depends a lot on the individual snake and their feeding experience. I had some who it didn't matter if I offered dead or live, they would strike and then constrict so suddenly and violently that bones would snap all over the place (it sounded like bubblewrap, gross). If the blood was still fluid inside the prey item's body, it wasn't unusual for blood to come out the nose or mouth.
Others would just wrap up and squeeze gradually. I remember having to feed live rodents a very few times. Those guys would grab and squeeze, and with each breath they'd tighten up just a TINY bit until the animal could no longer take a breath in. Interestingly, those animals didn't act stressed. They could still breathe and stuff, but never struggled or made any sounds of distress.
Then a handful of others didn't bother constricting at all, despite being constrictors. They'd just gently slither up and start swallowing.
Either way, it'd be very obvious if the snake was a crusher. The kids could have yelled if it was a hugger, and obviously it wasn't a swallow-without-constricting-first type either.
I read that part of the reason the snake was put down is because they needed to do an autopsy on it too. Which is sad, but I guess makes sense in cases where it's suspected of taking human life. I do wish they'd waited until after the autopsy report came back though, as it might not have been involved at all.
ETA: And who the crap finds two dead children, then spends time putting an escaped python in its cage WHILE THERE ARE TWO DEAD CHILDREN ON THE FLOOR!?!?!? Without calling 911 first?!?! This is really really sounding wrong.
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Interesting read.
http://globalnews.ca/news/769386/misplaced-blame-in-nb-python-deaths-former-reptile-ocean-employee/
So apparently the snake that was the target of this story was actually dropped off at the store by the province? Whatt? And here reporters are saying they had no idea he had the snake and that it was illegally owned... yeah..
http://globalnews.ca/news/769386/misplaced-blame-in-nb-python-deaths-former-reptile-ocean-employee/
So apparently the snake that was the target of this story was actually dropped off at the store by the province? Whatt? And here reporters are saying they had no idea he had the snake and that it was illegally owned... yeah..
Another interesting read.
http://www.fox.com.au/fox-news-feed/2013/8/snake-deaths-now-a-murder-investigation/
http://www.fox.com.au/fox-news-feed/2013/8/snake-deaths-now-a-murder-investigation/
Not surprising, not one bit.
BUT...it says non-poisonous. Which I guess is true, since no snakes are poisonous, but it should say non-venomous. And the snake in the picture is a different species AND cloudy (I know, stock photo, but still lol). That's like having an article about a GSD and using a malinois for the picture
BUT...it says non-poisonous. Which I guess is true, since no snakes are poisonous, but it should say non-venomous. And the snake in the picture is a different species AND cloudy (I know, stock photo, but still lol). That's like having an article about a GSD and using a malinois for the picture
Not surprising, not one bit.
BUT...it says non-poisonous. Which I guess is true, since no snakes are poisonous, but it should say non-venomous. And the snake in the picture is a different species AND cloudy (I know, stock photo, but still lol). That's like having an article about a GSD and using a malinois for the picture
BUT...it says non-poisonous. Which I guess is true, since no snakes are poisonous, but it should say non-venomous. And the snake in the picture is a different species AND cloudy (I know, stock photo, but still lol). That's like having an article about a GSD and using a malinois for the picture
So they do exist. They're the only creature than can ingest the neurotoxin produced by rough skinned newts (same neurotoxin that fugu fish make) and not die. Instead it's deposited in their body fat, and they become poisonous to eat instead. 
Sorry for the derail.
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I read that article but its the only one I can find that says that this is now a murder investigation. No where else, including any local sources, have said that. The case has never been closed so I suppose the police are considering the possibility of it being a homicide, but I also don't think they've ruled out the snake either.
I agree^^^! I haven't heard anything about it being treated as a homicide case and I am in Halifax, NS. Our local news is still discussing this on a daily basis and this is the first time that I have heard this! The Fox report also is still reporting that the snake had escaped through the ventilation system and it was uncovered that the snake was infact being housed upstairs in the same apartment as the boys. It isn't the first time Fox has been off the mark with a report.
