My lovely wife received a very disturbing email today from a co-worker. It was 3 different pictures of a big snake in a vehicle. The big snake had obviously eaten something large as it was HUGE. The third picture showed what it was inside after workers cut the serpent open. A small child that appeared to be about 8 or 10 years old. Male and with blue shorts, a shirt and shoes on. Now, I'm an old ex-cop, ex-heathen and used to be meaner than any snake---this really bothered me. In fact, it was so troubling to my spirit that I asked her to delete it -- she was just as troubled as I was and had already done so. Isn't it odd how one can compare little tykes like that to your own loved ones? All I could see was our precious little 5 year old grandson. I know it wasn't the snakes fault but still it is so horrible to even think about let alone see. Children are a gift from Almighty God and it seems we just don't watch out for them as we should. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot gibson (hoot@otbnet.com), June 20, 2000

Answers

You know it bothers me that anyone would even send that type of thing to someone else....if it was a hoax, that's sick..if it was real, that's sick as well because I sure would not wish to see someone elses child in that state.I feel sorry for you and your wife that you were subjected to that sort of thing....God bless.

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), June 20, 2000.

I had a news buddie whose daughter is in the Air Force. She sent him what evidently were the same photos and claimed they were legit.

He offered to send them to me and I told him "don't you dare!" We see enough terrible things dealing with the news and I don't need to see small children eaten by snakes!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 20, 2000.

Hoot, my goodness, what a shock that picture must have been for you and your wife. There was actually a little kid in there? Just a few weeks ago, I cut open a snake that I killed and there was small chick in there and that was bad enough. I wonder if it was a recent picture or maybe from back in the 20's or so. Could you tell what country it was from? You're right, children are a gift from Almighty God and are SO precious. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), June 21, 2000.

I don't think we have any native snakes around here that are big enough for consuming a child, altho I had a phone call from a friend last night who lives out in the country close to here. She saw a snake with a diamond pattern, and I told her it was a rattler (we have them here...kids found one hunting for morel mushrooms a few springs back). She said "No--it didn't have any rattles, and the head wasn't shaped right," and that it reminded her of the boas that her Dad liked to keep when she was a child. It was HUGE, and she hustled her babies right inside; she is the sort that won't keep a gun in the house! But she wondered if someone had lost their pet, or turned one loose. I can't see how a boa can survive our Indiana winters, tho.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), June 21, 2000.

I heard about these pictures from a friend of mine who also saw them. I don't want to see them and can't imagine how awful it must have been to see them. I believe they were in either South America or Africa from what she said. The snakes we have in this country are not large enough to consume a person unless they are someone's pet that escapes, but the native species are too small.

I'm not really sure why someone would want to send anyone these pictures as who needs to see such gruesome things. Life is tough enough as it is.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), June 21, 2000.

The email is of photos from the Amazon. It's an anaconda and yes, it is disturbing. Those snakes and the pythons of Africa are gigantic. We don't have any thing here that could do that. The boy was probably fishing and the snake probably just wrapped around him and immobilized him. I hate snakes.

-- Doreen (livinginskin@yahoo.com), June 21, 2000.

The photos showed up at my office a week ago, too, and some coworkers did enough research to show they are hoaxes. There was a case in Indonesia a few years ago where a child or young man was killed and eaten by a huge python or boa (not sure which is native to Indonesia). The snake was killed and the victim removed less than a hour later. His skin had already been bleached white by the snake's digestive juices, and his clothes were in tatters for the same reason. If you look at these new pics closely, you'll see neither is the case with the alleged "victim." Also, the victim doesn't show any physical damage from being crushed and swallowed. Someone is chuckling over all the distress he has caused with those pics. Sick.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), June 21, 2000.

I think that it is terrible that someone would send pictures like that, whether they are real or fake. It is just awful that someone would do something like that! I just wanted to make a couple of points about snakes. My husband keeps and (hopefully) will start (this winter) breeding pythons. My son is 3 and while the snakes are not large enough to do any damage, they will be one day. We allow our son to handle the snakes under our supervision. I am absolutely terrified of any snakes except ours! But, snakes are great to have around the house to take care of the unwanted rodents and other pests. Some even eat bugs!! Unless they are poisonous or eating your chickens or something, I would not kill them. Just leave them alone. There should be someone that you can call in your area to remove poisonous snakes from your property. If you are seeing very large snakes on your property (big enough to kill people or livestock), then you need to call someone to remove it, because it is probable an escapee from someone's collection or the zoo. Another thing...if you or anyone you know ever decides to keep snakes, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be sure that you have a proper enclosure for your snake!!!!! Most of the time if you hear of snakes getting out and being found in someone's back yard, it is because the owner did not have a proper enclosure. If a snake is strong enough to crush someone, then they can get out of an enclosure that is not sturdy enough!! I would hate to see a ban on keeping exotic snakes for pets because people aren't caring for them as they should. Also, if you know of anyone wanting to get rid of a pet snake, please contact me by e- mail. My husband rescues unwanted snakes!!

-- Linda (botkinhomeschool@yahoo.com), June 22, 2000.

A couple months ago, it was a picture of an alligator with half a guy in its belly. Very real looking, but probably another fake. How do they do that, anyway??

-- Shannon (Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary) (gratacres@aol.com), June 23, 2000.

Shannon, Not how but why. Tells you something about why many of us homestead! Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), June 23, 2000.

A question -- maybe Linda can answer....WHY would anyone want to keep a snake as a pet? IMHO -- pets are cuddly, affectionate, at the very least loyal....I can't see any of this describing a snake. I understand their place in the grand scheme of things, or I think I do...but I just don't understand why anyone would want to keep one around the house.

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), June 23, 2000.

Tracy: I honestly don't know why hubby likes snakes...lol. I don't like them, I just live with them because he loves them so much. I think that snakes are just really fascinating to him, plus, he thinks they are "cool". LOL They don't bother me as long as they are in their cages!!! :o)

-- Linda (botkinhomeschool@yahoo.com), June 26, 2000.

We are just starting our homestead in Ohio, but we were living in Florida during hurricane Andrew. One important and often not considered factor to think about during natural (and perhaps manmade) disasters is the proximity of your local zoo or exotic pet breeding facilities. The hurricane hit the south Florida area hard and that area is famous for its many exotic animal facilities. Hundreds of exotic animals and reptiles were set free when the storm tore down their shelters. Somewhere (in a box not yet unpacked) I still have copies of the Game and Fish press releases warning local law enforcement to watch out for things like very large snakes. I believe that in the end, most all of the mammals, such as large baboons, were accounted for, but many of the exotic birds and reptiles just flew or crawled out into the environment and were never seen again. Obviously, most of them probably died in an environment not suited to them. But I do fear that a few of the hardier ones may still be alive today, out there in the swamps of south Florida.

So, word to the wise, after a disaster keep an eye out for your neighbors' odd pets. Who knows where they may turn up and they probably don't fear humans as most wild animals do, having been conditioned to see people as a provider if not source of food.

-- Lori Price (klnprice@yahoo.com), June 27, 2000.

COOL! Where can I find those pictures?!

-- jake thesnake (snakeman@mindspring.com), April 01, 2001.

My question is why would anyone send someone a picture like that? If I received something like that, I'd put a block on that addy fast! As for people having snakes for pets,to each his own. I don't like snakes, but I don't kill them unless I have to. They kinda give me the shivers, though. Hoot, I hope your wife has some reservations about the person who sent that. I think that person is sick and twisted!

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), April 01, 2001.

Hey Ardie! Anything that comes from the sender of those snake pictures--is immediately deleted! Unopened, unread and unceramoniously DELETED! Seems that some people like liv'n on the edge and seek out this type of "shock treatment" to bestow upon unsuspecting folks. Time was that I was more worldly and kept an eye out for such trash but in my old age I seem to've kinda slipped in that defensive mode. LOL. Anyhow, I've got a snake zapper to build for all those who want to kill snakes. It will not distinguish between snakes--it'll kill'm all! Will also work on rats too. I"ll post pictures of it this coming week. hoot. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 01, 2001.

First of all, let me say that i'm sure your wife and you were very disturbed by that email. I have seen those pics myself and discussed them w/other snake enthusiasts. After much investigation, most suspect that they are frauds. Please don't let these pics infuluence your feelings on snakes. Even if they were fakes...the people living in that area are well-used to sharing their environment w/giant snakes and these "attacks" rarely happen. I have kept snakes for many years and will continue to do so...I also have children.

-- (YYoungone28@hotmail.com), May 01, 2001.

If you still have the e-mail I would like to view it I once had the pictures but i would like to have them again. Just to show a warning of how saftey is important

-- swirlpop2000 (swirlpop2000@yahoo.com), February 13, 2002.