E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSummer vacation has been anything but routine for a New York City social studies teacher who lives in northern New Jersey.
James Geist has spotted pythons twice within days in his West Milford yard.
Geist was reading on his deck when he thought he saw a branch move on July 23. He soon realized it was a snake.
Police arrived with two snake handlers who told Geist the branch was a 15-foot albino python.
Geist tells The Record newspaper the snake was huge, thick and docile.
Four days later, Geist saw another snake. This time it was a 10-foot python.
Animal control believes the tropical snakes were released by someone who had moved from the neighborhood.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- 50 percent of US counties deemed 'natural disaster areas'
- Antiques dealer double-crossed investigators to get valuable rhino horns
- Video: Chick-fil-A ignites culture wars
- Colleges freeze, reduce tuition as public balks at further price hikes
- From combat to corporate — and the new stigma blocking some veterans
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
your neighbor hates your dog. Get a clue.
lol! thats what it would seem like or just a horrible prank being played in all this.
Get these mf-ing snakes, off my mf-ing yard!
jay,
Post of the day.
It will all be over when winter comes to NJ.
Throw some rattlesnakes back in the neighbors yard. We try and catch them around here the going price for 10ft will get you $1000.00. They make them fancy boots out of them.
Give them to the Humane Society. They could be useful any very inexpensive.
Not exactly sure why would someone want to keep a tropical snake in a cold climate state, let alone let it out in the open..... Sounds like cruelty to me.
They were of the elusive Snow Python; usually not seen south of New Hampshire, as climate change wears on.
It is not funny or smart or humane to release non-native species into our ecology; it will unbalance our natural world just like Fossil-fuel Global Warming has unbalanced our climate and caused Climate Changes all over the world.
(Why do you think the oil companies are suddenly pushing alternative energy sources and not using better ways of extracting natural gas - it's too late to wait for anything else now!)
Yeah releasing tropical Pythons into New Jersey will unbalance the natural world... until winter when there is a couple feet of snow on the ground and they all freeze to death.
Snakes on a plain.
"It is not funny or smart or humane to release non-native species into our ecology"
I think that's a little too late, have you seen the NJ non-native species over run the land. I mean they destroy the ecology with their roads, bridges, factories, etc.......Then just take and take from the land and sea.
That ain't nothing! For 5 weeks in a row I found numerous republican snakes in the yard or outback trying to figure out how to get in and steal my pension. But when I went out to confront them they all slithered away.
How irresponsible of people to not properly take care of their pets!
Agreed. Unfortunately, those pythons keep slipping the leash.
Agreed, I mean they let them pets loose on the streets every day and night, then call it homelessness.
Pets come when you call them. Snakes are just captive animals.
You haven't met my cat. Or maybe he thinks his name really is the sound of a can opener. . .
FL already has a python problem. They are literally swallowing up native species.
Next we'll be overrun by "sugar gliders" when an un-neutered pair of those gets loose. The economy is in the toilet yet people are willing to spend $500 on a fad pet. People have no sense.
With a cat, you are the pet.
This is why there should be a ban and a big, big fine for having these snakes or any other animal that is not native to this country. Those creatures I am positive would not want to be someones "pet" any more than you or I would want to be taken and put in a cage.
No, I am not a PETA nut. I just can't understand how our government can allow a non native species to take hold in this country when they know how the balance of nature in this country can be ruined.
Our Eco system in the south is under assault from so many unnatural species, what is next. Importing monkeys to roam the swamps.
There are more regulations in some southern states, but for snakes, regulation is usually based on the climate. In NY, it is not an issue, since even if these snakes get away, they can't survive the winter, so there is no taking hold to worry about there.
It is still irresponsible and cruel to let a pet simply die like that.
Kevin, the pythons would instinctively found a warm place as the temperature dipped ... like a basement or crawl space under a house which would give the snakes enough warmth to survive. It's UNLIKELY that they would have found such a place, but it's possible.
So Steve, you're saying no hedgehogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, all dog breeds that the natives didn't breed, cats, rats, tarantulas, most species of frogs and geckos, etc.? By the way, it's more dangerous for someone not to neuter their dog, than to own a large snake.
Snakes are very sensitive to weather, and something like these pythons, unless they found a spot that was 55 degrees or more, cannot survive winters in NJ. I do agree with banning the large pythons from hot, humid states, but that should be a state thing. A burmese or reticulated python, for instance, would die in Arizona, because they need high humidity.
Also, a number of states, such as Illinois, actually do have bans on the larger ones, but mainly for safety reasons, rather than environmental. In Illinois, for instance, one must have a special permit and meet certain requirements to own any constricting snake of over 6 feet in length.
I think the people who bring them here are probably breaking the law, even if it's the laws of nature.
As someone who loves to cuddle with my cat and dog, I cannot imagine why ANYone woulld want a snake for a "pet".....of course, a constrictor WOULD provide the ultimate "cuddle", wouldn't it?
WakeUP...what good does that do? you buy a snake as a baby, it grows....so what are the owners to do once it reaches 6ft in length?! That law only encourages people to release them into the wild.
Agreed, Bobby. The problem with these exotic pets is that they have no natural enemies. Look at what's happening in Florida. California banned ferrets years ago because people would turn them lose and they'd wreck havoc on local bird populations (or so it was said at the time). Anyone who abandons an animal because they've grown tired of caring for it, indigenous or not, sucks.
I live in S. Florida and caught a 4' Ball Python in the street about a week ago. After numerous phone calls I finally got a hold of the Fish and Wildlife Exotic Animals division to come and take it away. They were very appreciative and actually called me the next day to thank me again for doing the proper thing involving non-native species.
In theory, the law is to prevent people from owning such snakes as reticulated or burmese pythons. Ball pythons, for instance, reach a maximum size of around 5 1/2 feet, so no problem. It doesn't generally stop the people from owning them, but it does give the ability to charge them legally should something happen.
The main problem with this is that man has always thought that they can change and control nature... every time we try it we cause more problems than we solve. This is a world wide problem.. there are days when I do think that this world would be better off without humans on the planet...
Oh god I really hate listening to people like you...
If you hate Humans so much then why don't you set an example and kill yourself? Or are you somehow better than the rest of us?
If there were no humans left on Earth, who will extract and use all the natural resources? Can't see the dolphins doing that.
Pythons are not suited to New Jersey. The climate there is hostile and the snakes would either have found a warm area to winter over or would have died. Since they're not native to the US, they are creating MAJOR problems in Florida from people who have released them or had hurricanes accidentally release the snakes. Florida, unfortunately, IS suitable habitat for the pythons and they are breeding there and destroying native animal populations as well as potentially posing a danger for pets and small children.
The problem isn't responsible pet owners, it's people who buy a "cute" baby snake without realizing how BIG they get. When the snake gets "too big", it is released where the irresponsible owner thinks it'll be "fine" by hunting birds, mice, rats, rabbits and other "prey" but forget that a large constrictor can and WILL hunt cats, dogs, toddlers and other "unacceptable" prey. Snakes don't discriminate ...
This is why I only have native U.S. snakes. They're not that big, they can't kill my cat, and I always have the option of releasing them back into their native ranges. Sure, we don't have any monster snakes, but there are plenty of cool native snakes to keep as pets.
I'm pretty sure if alligators can live in the sewers, these pythons can too. But don't take my word for it, you'll have to watch the movie.
Where's PETA when you really need them? They ought to be yelling to high heaven about this issue to raise people's awareness and really toughen up the laws with high fines and severe jail time.
PETA won't get involved because there isn't enough publicity to do them any good as an organization. As with most of those organizations, they only get involved in a situation where they can point to the news and brag about the good they are doing. After all, no one donates when they don't know what your organization is accomplishing...
PETA are nothing but domestic terrorists that kill more animals than they save (look it up).
PETA is too busy campaigning for 'sea kittens'
haha steve, that is still my favorite. I went sea kitten "hunting" the other day, brought home enough to feed a family of seventeen. Didnt even have to skin most of them.
I am still not sure what PETA wants us to call a catfish....catseakitten? Or what about the spiny dogfish? spiny dogseakitten perhaps?
Do PETA (Perfect Edible Tasty Animals) like to eat pythons too?
Wow bobby, a family of 17, that's one hell-eva hill billy family yous got there. Do they all sleep in the same room?
This is why there need to be tighter controls on exotic pets. People who just release their exotic pets not only put the neighborhood at risk but endanger the animals safety as well. There are a lot of organiztions that will take in exotics people can no longer keep. Even most local animal shelters will take them in. If the people who released these snakes are caught they should at the very least be charged with animal cruelty.
"This is why there need to be tighter controls on exotic pets."
Like shock collars? Not sure what you mean.....................
WOW!! This must be a slooooooooo news day! :)
Yeah, snakes are beating out sharks for the headlines.
People buy these poor creatures, not realizing that somewhere down the road, these snakes will have to be released back into the wild,,,,,,,,,Problem being, at that point the snake is so large, that releasing it poses a threat to all that come into contact with it.
Responsible owners should contact the local animal control, and they should be able to find a zoo, or safe place to put the snake.
I have known many people who have had snakes for pets, and not a single one has not been bitten by their "pet",,,,,,,
Animals, birds, and reptiles that are not meant to live in captivity SHOULD NOT be sold as pets,,,,,I actually feel sorry for them, as I believe anyone that loves nature should!!!!!
Living in FL I have become aware of the major problem with pythons. Outside of the fact they kill the owners babies at least once a year those that are released multiple like crazy and become a major hazard. Isn't it enough we have to contend with alligators, wild hogs and drunk tourists to also have to watch for large killer snakes as well. I am moving to the Carolina's, they may be ultra conservative there but at least I won't be attacked by animals in my own yard.
where abouts in Fl are you? We are moving from NJ and I do fear this stuff.
Another reason for registering exotic animals no matter who owns them. An even better reason to sterilize them so no mass reproduction cycle exist. And a better reason NOT to import them in the first place is owners who no longer want them set them free.
Actually, the two snakes happen to be two politicians that finally morphed into their character-image...jest sayin'! Maybe more will be sighted the closer November 6 gets to becoming reality.
Let see Pythons in New Jersey and Crop Circles out west in Washington. I don't like the looks of this! Something strange seems to be happening in this country. There must be a very important election coming very soon. The Mars landing anyday now, A Goat Man, Palestianians visiting German Extermantion camps. HHmmm!!! The Olympics right now, Gore Vidal passing away, Obama's mother is related to the very first slave to hit the shores of this very large country hundreds of years ago. Wow!! NBC news how much more can they throw at us. I tell you somedays you just never know what your going to read. Recall the NYC mayor!!!
Yes I Agree!! Recall the NYC Mayor!! He is a disgrace to this Country and the people of NYC!!
WTF
The pine barrens of NJ would be a perfect habitat for these snakes if it didn't get so damn cold there in the winter.
Except that it was in New Jersey, a .38 or .45 loaded with a shotshell makes an effective python preventive/repellant. Apply as often as needed.
That had the makings of a bad day
the only good snake is a dead one. private ownership of snakes should be banned for public safety. snake owners have mental problems.
Public safety? Dogs kill way more people each year than snakes do. Why don't we start with them?
You should see someone about that neurosis before it festers...
Yea; get my gun,granny!
Agreed, boomer.
Completely irresponsible and cruel to let these snakes go in NJ. 1.) they are dangerous to other animals and possibley small children --- 2.)It is unlikely they would survive the fall/winter in NJ, which would guarantee a cruel death for these animals. I made it a point to find a repitle sanctuary(there is one in PA just over the jersey border), when i decided to give up a boa (8 1/2ft) and a burmese albino python ( 6ft), as they were growing beyond my control and getting very expensive to feed.
honestly, the importation of exotic wildlife should just be banned --- it is a novelty for 95% of the ppl who buy them.
Saw the headline and thought "Florida. Must be in Florida." Who the hell keeps pythons in New Jersey?
Who the hell keeps pythons as a pet except a nut case?
Anyone who wants to. We never hear stories about people turning their dogs loose, but dogs are responsible for over 50 deaths and thousands of attacks per year in the U.S.
Pet snakes account for less than 2 deaths per year, and it is almost always the owner being killed.
the guy that moved from Fla.
I would not have called the police until I had killed both snakes. There is no need for anyone to have a snake like those as a pet. There should be a National Law preventing anyone from having them as a pet! They belong in a Zoo and no where else.
Really a national ban.... Maybe they can attach it to the ban on assault rifles. You are a dumba*&. Let's just give all of the decisions to the federal gov. they know whats best for us, Obviously (sarcasm)
When you see reports that the USA is slipping to 23rd in math and 35th in science compared to the rest of the world and lower in other categories and lists, believe the numbers. Only idiots would have such beasts as pets. A 15' snake as a pet! That's beyond stupid.
Python makes a fine meal. It tastes like kitten.
you mean chicken??
Why all the panic??? Just a bunch of Republicans/Tea Baggers slinking about like they normally do and we all know they are "snakes" and "pale" like the Albino Python...
Ive got a python and it lives in my pants
Here's a SUPER scary scenario:
We know these pythons are getting loose but there are freaks who keep COBRAS and VIPERS that we dont know about. What if one of those seriously lethal snakes gets loose? OR DUMPED? Fortunately statistics show that it is usually just the OWNERS who get killed by those because they own them in secret until they get bit so there is seldom anti-venom available to save them.
But yeah I could use a new snakeskin purse. (Call me!)