Snake in a crib
Categories: Babies, Playground bureau, Weird but true
If you're on fence about co-sleeping and are scared of snakes, this story might help you come to a decision. (Or keep you from ever having a good night's sleep again.)
When a woman visiting relatives in Long Island, went into tend to her crying baby in the middle of the night, she found a snake wrapped around the leg of the seven-month-old. "Once I lifted her up and the snake fell off of her, she stopped crying," the shaken mother said. "But then I was the one crying all night."
Officials have no idea how the foot long snake, identified as a California King, a non-venomous constrictor and popular choice for a pet, made its way into the crib. The family had recently purchased the crib mattress and feel the snake might have been in the packaging, which was not secure. Animal experts feel the snake might have made its way into the home to escape the unseasonably warm weather.
As someone who suffers from a bit of a snake-phobia, I would completely understand why this poor mother would sleep standing up with her baby strapped to her in a front carrier for the rest of her childhood. The only thing I can imagine worse than snakes on a plane would be snakes in the crib with your baby.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Coleymunky 6-11-2008 @ 12:42PM
I have 3 pet snakes. One was actually loose in our house for 4 months! I have also had a California King snake for a pet as well. The snake was probably hungry, and wiggly little toes look like pinky mice. Although scary, I would much rather find one of these snakes in any of my kids beds than any other kind of snake!
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Carolyn 6-11-2008 @ 6:51PM
Okay, that's terrifying! I'll be checking under the covers before bed tonight. :(
Carolyn
www.momsontheedge.ca
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angelica garcia 6-12-2008 @ 3:18AM
i cant imagine anything worse than a child in danger,im a mom of 2 and since the birth of my first child,ive always been on edge;nervous and over-protective.i cant not even imagine how the mother felt at that moment.regardless if the snake was small, non-poisionous or a PET the snake could of easily wrapped itself around the babys throat and stop the baby from breathing.LUCKILY the mother came just in time.having little ones such pets is unsafe.
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dodgerfan 6-15-2008 @ 9:47PM
I am a mother of two boys, and a baby in a crib with a California King snake is not in any danger, although the squeeze might be uncomfortable. If it had been a rattlesnake, or a large python, then there would be a problem. But people with phobias of snakes don't realize that a phobia is an UNREASONABLE fear. Snakes make great pets, even if they're big. Learn about snakes before you pass judgement.
c 6-13-2008 @ 12:35PM
The thought of a snake in a crib is frightening. It reminds me of one day when I put my 2 year old old on his bed in time out only to hear him scream bloody murder a few minuets into it. We found a centipede in his bed and it had bitten him on his leg. He was okay after a mad dash to the internet for info and some Motrin, but at 5 now he still remembers it.
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James 6-15-2008 @ 10:04PM
The snake wanted to get warm , thats why he was arround the babies leg. In south america i would wake to find a lizard on my leg to get body heat during the night. If the snake was hungry, he would seek insects or small rodents.Not to worrie.
DENNIS I. 6-15-2008 @ 8:13PM
It was a Republican!
They are ALL snakes.
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Pat OBryant 6-16-2008 @ 3:23AM
I like your statement the best Dennis. About the snake in with the baby though. That had to be horrible.And anyone who has a snake for a pet has more guts than I do. The best place for a snake around here is off of my property. I am terrified of them. To each his own I guess. I don't care what the reason for it to be on that baby,I don't think I would ever sleep again.
gp100ss 6-15-2008 @ 8:14PM
Don't take this story at face value. I've know snake breeders for a long time, and I've never heard of this kind of behavior from a snake. I'm very skeptical about the whole story and wonder whether there is some hoax being perpetrated.
In any case, a California Kingsnake of this size (or even twice this size) has zero chance of hurting an infant. The snake simply does not have the strength to constrict a baby. The snake is not going to see one of the baby's toes as a pinkie mouse to be eaten. The snake is not going to wrap the baby's neck and choke the baby to death.
The AOL headline saying that a "giant" snake was in the crib is completely dishonest.
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Lisa 6-15-2008 @ 8:31PM
yes the story is true. I work with the grandfather......... it happened at his house. One mistake though....... the snake was 4 feet long!
Parissa 6-15-2008 @ 8:35PM
Your response to the article and some of the posts reminds me of those who have Pit Bulls as pets and assure family and friends ~ and the authorities ~ that THEIR Pit Bull is a pussy-cat ... wouldn't hurt a flee ... as it digs it's way out from under the back fence and attacks the next door neighbor or the first child or dog it sees walking down the street. These stories are all too familiar. I don't care what kind of snake it is, snakes belong in the wild ... not in as a pet in someone's bedroom (I'd try to escape, too!! I have compassion for the snakes ... and babies they curl up next to in cribs (and those babies mothers), but don't think too much of those who make snakes ~ a wild creature by nature ~ a 'pet.'
dodgerfan 6-15-2008 @ 9:52PM
YAY! I love snakes, and I never worried about my boys around King snhakes. Why are people so paranoid? A phobia is an UNREASONABLE fear.
dee 6-16-2008 @ 1:49AM
I agree - once again the good old media making things worse than they are! KING SIZE SNAKE -
Kevin 6-15-2008 @ 8:23PM
OMG! California king snakes are NOT huge! title of the story must have been written by morons! the fact is, king snakes make great pets because they are NOT aggressive and have great temperments. I have raised snakes for years and have never been bitten
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Hissy 6-15-2008 @ 8:43PM
As the organizer of our "snake pride parade" I am deeply offended by this story. We forked tounged citizens have been discriminated against in housing and jobs. Serpent phobia has got to stop.
Tammi 6-15-2008 @ 8:29PM
I agree with gp100ss, a snake that small would not or could not hurt an infant by constricting it, maybe if it bit him, but even then, it's mouth is so small it couldn't do much.
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Diana 6-15-2008 @ 8:29PM
The person who wrote the story must have been Indiana Jones... Snakes why did it have to be snakes? LOL Glad the kid is ok hope mom's not to traumatized.... I think I would be. Have a great day everybody!
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Sarah 6-15-2008 @ 8:35PM
LOL wow! a foot long CA King snake is NOT a big deal. My 2 year old has held the one I have as a pet without a problem.
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Tammi 6-15-2008 @ 8:36PM
even if the snake was 4 foot long I don't think it was trying to hurt the baby, more than likely trying to get warm, since it says the snake came off the leg when she picked up the baby.
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susan 6-16-2008 @ 9:42AM
Hi! If this snake was indeed 4 feet long, I need to have it. I have been keeping snakes for 30+ years and have never seen a 4 foot Cal. King. Where is it and how do I get it????