Ball Python and pet dog?

xenomorph · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 01:35 PM

We recently bought a baby ball python for our son (he's 17). My question is this: When we are not home we keep our dog, an italian greyhound who is full grown at 13 pounds, in his crate. I'm not too concerned now as the python is still small, but when he is fully grown would he pose any threat to our dog? Since our dog is locked in his crate, there would be no exit for him should the snake escape his enclosure and enter the dog's crate. We have clips on the snake's tank now and plan to continue this for as long as we have him but I have heard of them escaping even when efforts are made to prevent it. Should I be concerned about this? Would the snake mistake our dog as a possible food source or threat should he get loose? I've heard of burmese killing dogs, but has a ball ever been implicated in such a thing?

xenomorph · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 01:39 PM

P.S. Sorry for the impersonal nature. Our son hasn't named him yet so we just call him "the snake" for now. We are really quite fond of him already.

Stormyva · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 01:43 PM

Welcome to the site!
Your dogs should not be in any danger at all, the one you should be worried about is the snake. If the snake were to come towards the dog the combination of it's claws and teeth would make short work of the snake. The best thing to do is keep the snake in a securely locked cage and keep the room closed up is possible.

suzi · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 03:50 PM

I have a three year old, four foot Ball python. (Wednesday is it's name). We decided it's a "her". Anyway, at 4ft., even when she's really mad at me, her grip isn't really enough to be too uncomfortable. I agree with Stormy, the dog poses more of a threat than the snake. I just don't think an adult Ball could take down 13lbs. of puppy, but maybe someone will come along and correct me??

toker · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 05:13 PM

I have to agree, if I were a betting man I would put my money on the dog... Snakes are not fighters, in the end, the snake would be lunch for that puppy

natas · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 05:17 PM

About the only thing that could take that dog out would be a full grown Burmese python, Reticulated Python, Rock Python or Green Anaconda....and even then these animals in captivity would have problems with a dog that size

Bry · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 05:55 PM

No offense to anyone, but it's funny to me how dogs and cats have been so heavily domesticated that some people percieve them to be poor, helpless creatures when they come face-to-face with a snake. They seem to forget that dogs and cats have teeth and claws as well as instinct to defend themselves or kill potential prey, just as much as their wild ancestors did.

With that being said, anyone who has seen the feeding response on my JCP might think twice. With the other snakes, I worry about my cat hurting them. But, with the JCP out, I worry about Odie's safety around her. She tends to try to bite and wrap the first thing with hair that moves, including me. I may be wrong, because I've seen how nasty cats can get, I'd just prefer not to find out.

Bry

themoononastick · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 06:00 PM

given what dogs can do to humans and rats can do to snakes i think it'd be a silly snake not to givce the dog a wide berth

xenomorph · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the insight. This is our first snake and they sure don't get a lot of positive exposure in the media. All you hear about are negative things that happen so I figured this would be the best place to go for advice. Our dog, Bogie, is such a wimp usually, but I'm sure you're right about him being able to defend himself. He is pretty curious about the snake when we have him out and wants to see him, but we hold him back so the snake doesn't get scared and bite and so Bogie doesn't accidently hurt the snake. Thanks again and I really appreciate all of your replies.

natas · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2003, 11:53 PM

Good to hear xeno and we hope to see you and your family on the site more! Please feel free to post any questions. Also you might wanna take a look in the caresheet section!

Shadrach · #11 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 02:03 AM

I've had snakes and dog's forever and never had any problems even with my large snakes I just made sure the dog was up before the snake was out. In matter of fact the only one that has ever paid any attention to the dog was a Boa that could keep better time than me. She was always ready for her meal right down to the exact second I would walk in the house and was in feed mode when I entered the house. Naturally the dog was happy I was home and when I went to check on the Reptiles she followed and caused a strike at the side of the tank when she walked by.

Boaguy · #12 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 02:34 AM

good luck with the snake! Along time ago my ball python had escaped and had a encounter with the cats.. fortunatly he is still alive and fine but they did some damage.
An adult ball python would have a hard time with a 1 pound rabbit.

John

xenomorph · #13 (**permalink**) 10-17-2003, 02:42 AM

I definately feel better about the two of them in the same house. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions as I go along so thanks for all of the help!

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