I have to admit here that I know zilch about snakes, however in Ingoldmells market this weekend there was a woman with two snakes (big ones) touting for people to have their photo taken with the snakes. The were in a small fishtank with a bit of green stuff in the bottom. As I say, this may be perfectly acceptable, but somehow I felt not. The biggest snake was pale cream in colour but I dont know they type, the smaller one was a darker snake with dark markings. Just wondering if I see them again should it be a report to the rspca or perhaps I am just being a nosy old sod.:|

they are there nearly every year, but what you just said sounds like the tank is getting smaller, and the snakes arnt looked after well at all

Just out of interest have you ever tried to transport a large vivarium or fish tank? I can assure you that not only are they very heavy, but they can easily get cracked.

I would assume these tanks are temporary for the day, and although (not knowing massive amounts about snakes) I presume they should still have UV/a heat lamp to keep them comfortable. If they are temporary I can't see why it's an issue? Did you try asking..?

To be honest using any snake and flopping it round strangers shoulders for 14 hours a day is cruel and I feel that there may be reason to make a complaint.

im sure the owners know what they are doing as they have been doing that for the last 20 yrs to my knowledge
im sure theres some sort of rules/regulations on what they are doing that they have to abide by
the last time i saw them they had the snakes in a smallish tank beside their van and inside the van was x2 4ft ish vivariums
if you wish to report the matter then do so if you feel the snakes are being neglected in any way but im sure you will find that everything is above board

im sure the owners know what they are doing as they have been doing that for the last 20 yrs to my knowledge
im sure theres some sort of rules/regulations on what they are doing that they have to abide by
the last time i saw them they had the snakes in a smallish tank beside their van and inside the van was x2 4ft ish vivariums
if you wish to report the matter then do so if you feel the snakes are being neglected in any way but im sure you will find that everything is above board


Sorry have you failed to see I keep snakes, Lizards and other exotics.

Snakes like to be left alone usually in familiar surroundings and kept at the correct temperature or it causes them undue stress.

I feel that putting an animal under unnecessary stress just so they dont have to go and get a propper job is cruel to the snake and in my opinion abuse.

How do you feel about the russian bears made to dance or the hundreds of monkeys that were made to do things and perform for tourists.

These have been clamped down on but as the animal is a snake I guess they arent as important.

Also one day one of the snake will turn from the stress and it will not be pretty.

I kind of have to agree with carpetviper, i saw these ages ago now must have been about six years back and it looked like it was ready to turn it was getting really agitated.
I barely touched it before running off (i had a fear of snakes at the time) but my mum was fine and she said it didnt seem a happy snake.

I didnt realise there were tanks in the van, the small tank they were in was no smaller than my old fish tank and there was no heat in that tank, the big cream one was lolling over the side and people were stroking him/her. To be honest I just 'felt' it wasnt right. I would imagine they would need a licence. I have never seen them before, probably because I dont go to the market very often despite having a van at skeg. I think I may well trip up there this weekend tho and ask about the care, just to put my own mind at rest. Thanks for the replies.

i have to agree with carpetviper as a snake keeper myself, those snakes will turn one day because of daily torment and daily cramped conditions, but i just pray that the day they turn its not on some poor victim that has agreed to have that the photo taken. and i pray to god its not a child.

Just out of interest have you ever tried to transport a large vivarium or fish tank? I can assure you that not only are they very heavy, but they can easily get cracked.

I would assume these tanks are temporary for the day, and although (not knowing massive amounts about snakes) I presume they should still have UV/a heat lamp to keep them comfortable. If they are temporary I can't see why it's an issue? Did you try asking..?

snakes dont need uv (but if you dont know about snakes its a thing people say)

a cool snake, is a slow and docile snake....

i have rarley had a snake that can sit on someone without moving and trying to get away for more than a minute although some are more chilled than otehrs

also once they are fed, they have to be left alone for a couple of days etc..

i would report it, but only if you know why....

also you transport snakes in sacks, not glass tanks etc.

i once had the rpsca want to prosicute me, as they said my snakes didnt have access to fod when they wanted it, and they looked said............i soooooooo much wanted them to go ahead with that

Seems somethings not quite right doesnt it. I once had rspca come to my house about my poor starved cat reported by helpful neighbours. The said cat (at the time resembling a small beach ball) came up the steps and promptly rolled over to show his ample proportions more clearly to the rspca inspector. Thats why I have held back really from reporting it, the snakes could be perfectly ok, and its all above board, just didnt feel like it to a non reptile keeper but very much animal lover.