A juvenile King Cobra
Picture credit: Biomedicinal
After living in so many places before coming to Florida in 2004, it was only a matter a time before this would happen.
And it did.
Within a few months of moving here, there it was one day, curled up on the black mat at our back door, waiting for me.
As it turned out, it was harmless, to humans, at least, it was just a Black Racer, which is a very common non poisonous Florida Snake.
Did that make me any less terrified.
Absolutely not!
But, after a few years, it has all become nearly routine and the fear gets a little less with each random encounter.
That is, until now.
A few days ago in Orlando, a man who apparently has quite a few poisonous creatures living in his house, lost one of them.
It just ran away.
But he did not, as required, report it immediately!
And after seeing the living conditions at this place, I do not blame the snake.
The escape of this snake, has been shown ad nauseum on all of our local channels.
These animals are housed in cages so small, they can barely turn around, let alone get any exercise.
My thinking is, that the snake left to find a better home!
But here is the scariest part, at least for those poor souls who live in close proximity to this man, this was not just any ordinary snake.
This was an 8 foot long King Cobra, whose venom they are saying, can take down an elephant or 200 humans.
Yes, 200!
This man, who has a state license to keep these poisonous animals, has a history of “oops” accidents and negligent behaviour concerning his charges.
So, you may ask, why does Florida Fish and Wildlife still allow him to have them?
That is the question being asked by his neighbors, who have started a petition and already have 200 signatures.
A previous King Cobra got loose from this man and it turned up in one of his neighbor’s garages, who killed it.
This is a very sad situation for the animals who have no say in any of it.
The man is a “reality star” the news claims and makes his living with these caged animals.
But, each time I see him on the news, he is putting a snake into a garbage can.
He does not look like someone who is terribly fond of them, just someone who has found a way to profit from them.
In India this snake is protected.
Schools on this man’s block have kept the children inside all week and moved those in the bungalows, into the main building for safety concerns for the children.
FWC says it is likely the snake, who they and the man, both say is shy, will avoid humans, but how long can you keep these children inside?
This is not fair to them, or the animals that this man is keeping.
It is at the very least, a sad, ugly situation.
The last news story I watched this morning, gave a link to a web site, where you can see just who and where poisonous animals are being kept in Florida.
If even one child here is killed by a poisonous animal who is being kept for profit or other, there will be “hell to pay.”
Even one death is one too many.
Now, this is only my opinion but, private individuals have no business, no right, to keep poisonous animals in their homes, considering the tremendous risks that could result from an errant escape, such as this one.
It is beyond time to stop this, before a tragedy occurs.
So, those of you out there in Florida who think this is a good way to make a living, I say:
You need to find another way to earn your living, one that does not put animals/wildlife or your neighbors and their children in jeopardy.
Please, go get a real job because this “King has left the building.”
Places to learn more:
King cobra that escaped from Orlando home remains missing
Escaped king cobra on the loose in Orlando
Find venomous snake permit holders near you
Dead snakes used to lure king cobra that escaped Orlando home
Sounds scary! The only snakes we have here are some people. 🙂
Duh!!!
ummm…wtf??? if i have ANY animal and the local SPCA don’t like the care i’m providing they take the animal…homeless people have lost pet dogs because the owner “refuses care”…i guess the jerk has a sweet heart deal with the right people…so maybe they need to have their children endangered by this careless a-hole…zoos don’t lose animals in the US…even during hurricanes…sorry you guys are having to deal with this issue…incidentally, this snake’s “shyness”? it’s fear…almost all animals attack in self-defense…only a few are aggressive and will actively seek targets…so they are reporting half truths…geez…and there are a lot of these folks around…hugs and prayers
Thank you so much!
yw
In SE Asia , where I live, King Cobras are common but you seldom see them because they are, like most snakes, reclusive. Considering the amount of venomous snakes here we live harmoniously with them because they don’t bother us and we don’t bother them. They are, like us, not freaks of nature to be locked up and gawked at and certainly not domestic pets. Unfortunately some people have no idea about the natural world or how to live in it.
Completely agree. You should see how these beautiful creatures are living with this man.
It is sad! He is only using them for profit!
Good morning Donna, hope you and sacham are both well. Much love, Adam xxx
We are all 3 doing so much better now. Everyone here is good!. We hope it is the same for you too!Love to you~
Oh that’s such good news. I’m often thinking of you all
As we do of you!!
💖
There is no space big enough for me and a snake. I know they serve a purpose… but not near me. 😀
They scare the hell out of me. I know they are important, but we have lost since moving in here in 2006 all of our much loved Native green lizards and all of our beautiful green tree frogs. But the snakes are flourishing all over our property!
I am surprised that there is no law to stop this practice. He has a license? If a snake escaped, his license should be suspended. It is the 21st century, modern people are not making their living in this way anymore.
He is apparently above the law here!
Unbelievable! Imagine how these snakes hate him…
Not to mention his neighbors~