I am looking for actual situations that folks may be aware of where
ferrets have been fed to large snakes. Let me explain. Over the years,
I have seen a number of warning posts stating that one should not just
give a ferret away to a person on Craig's List (or from other postings)
without thorough investigation of the new owner/home for fear
interested parties could be looking for cheap snake food.

While I do understand the preliminary concerns when re-homing a ferret
(or any pet) I can't help but wonder if the "snake food" stories are
factual or imagined. I can't recall exactly, the number of times I
heard the old saying, "Ferrets are the third most popular domestic pet
in the U.S."  And yet, as my time increased as a foster parent of a
local, large Humane Society I NEVER saw the number of ferrets up for
adoption ever surpass those of mice, hamsters, gerbils, hooded rats,
guinea pigs, rabbits, reptiles, or birds. Obviously that statement is
not true.

Back to the reason for my inquiry. I happen to post a warning on a
FB group to a young ferrant looking to re-home her ferrets due to
emergency housing issues. A young man replied, he was looking for one
or two 1-1/2 yo ferrets. My gut said check his FB page. I did. Guess
what his favorite pet is? Pythons. I was somewhat rudely informed how
ignorant I am. I did not identify his snake pics as Ball pythons,
apparently a smaller version of python. I was told it can therefore not
eat a ferret. They eat mice or cut up pieces of frozen (thawed) mice or
rats. And I guess, because he is a pet store employee he is more versed
in all matters related to pythons and the sickos that exist in our
world. In consideration of providing an informed response I thought I
would collect some data and become more informed.

The Reptile Man in the neighboring community sort of supported this
young man's theory that ferrets would not be fed to Ball pythons,
however...he did agree that a Ball python is a constrictor which is
how they kill their prey - suffocation via constriction. And yes, a
ball python could, if alarmed by a ferret attack and suffocate it. He
however, felt if he were a betting man, he would put his money on the
ferret.

I am sure others would point out that being smaller, the ball pythons
are typically caged. But alas, I found in my readings they are (like
many ferrets) wonderfully talented as escape artists! So my conclusion
about re-homing ferrets has not changed. I would not and could not in
good conscience turn over a beloved ferret to a homeowner with snakes
any more than I would send one off to a family with three young
children or a house with three unknown (to me) dogs.

I would love to see any posts where you know of verified happenings,
or links to actual articles confirming such actions by snake
owners/breeders. I'd love to help inform my young Ball python owner
that I am not as uninformed or as illogical as he thinks I am....while
working to increase awareness of responsible considerations when
re-homing pets.

Thanks for any helpful information. Cathy Ryan

Today is the best day to do a good deed.

Feed rescued animals in two clicks
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

[Posted in FML 8115]