western australia

National Serpent Day - Meet Stanley

@JudyEv (381799)

Rockingham, Australia

February 1, 2019 5:44pm CST

While we were visiting Peel Zoo on our house-boat sojourn, I had the chance to meet Stanley, the Stimson python (Antaresia stimsoni). These are only found in Australia and can be kept as pets in some states. These are non-venomous, obviously and grow to about 110 cm (43 inches) in length. It is generally nocturnal but Stanley was happy to be out in the public eye. Stimsons are ambush predators and mostly found in dry, inland, rocky areas. They kill by constriction and eat mostly small lizards and frogs. The females lay 7 to 10 eggs and curl themselves around the eggs to incubate them. I know some of you will pass by - or maybe even pass out - this post but Stanley was very accommodating. However, later on one of the paths was a warning sign saying that a venomous snake had been seen in the area.

20 people like this

22 responses

@sol_cee (38669)

• Philippines

2 Feb 19

Killing their prey by constriction - nasty image in my mind, I can’t unthink.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

They only take small prey but it wouldn't be a nice way to die but then I guess there aren't too many nice ways to die.

2 people like this

@xFiacre (14783)

• Ireland

1 Feb 19

@judyev Best thing about Stanley is that him and his mates live only in Australia. Please keep him there.

4 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I said to the girl that Stanley was a very macho name and she replied that Stanley wasn't a very macho snake!

1 person likes this

@rebelann (117199)

• El Paso, Texas

2 Feb 19

You look way too happy. Snakes only scare me if they're dangerous, like the 8 ft long boas that can swallow a man of 6 feet.

3 people like this

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@rebelann (117199)

• El Paso, Texas

2 Feb 19

Me either @JudyEv but I remember back in 8th grade that one of my teachers had a very small rosy boa, I held it in my hands and then it wrapped itself around my arm but it didn't try to squeeze, it was too little to do that.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

@rebelann I remember a guy had one in a TV studio once and he was starting to lose the feeling in his arm. He had to get the presenter to help him get it off.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

He is only a little snake and his handler was close by so it was okay. I wouldn't like to meet a boa or venomous snake.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (502190)

• Italy

2 Feb 19

Oh my Judy, I could never, NEVER, touch a snake, even the most pacific snake, I cannot stand them.

3 people like this

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@LadyDuck (502190)

• Italy

2 Feb 19

@JudyEv I think I have a phobia, I cannot even visit places where the snakes are in glass cages, I feel sick.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I totally understand that. Many people don't like them. I don't particularly but I thought it would be cool to put a photo up here.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

@LadyDuck It does sound like a phobia.

2 people like this

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

2 Feb 19

aw, jest look 't that beautiful lady! gorgeous smile, my friend. i do not fear snakes, but prefer not to've 'em crawl'n me, lol.

3 people like this

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crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39503)

• United States

2 Feb 19

ya done good!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I haven't bothered before but then I thought of my myLot friends and thought 'why not'?

2 people like this

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Frederick Espiritu

@simplfred (20641)

• Philippines

1 Feb 19

I thought it was just part of the hair. So they are not poisonous... I hope we know how to differentiate venomous to not.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I took the girl's word for it so i hope she was right! Anyway, it didn't bite me.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (208746)

• United States

2 Feb 19

Long live Stanley!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 19

The girl said he enjoyed meeting the public. I'm not sure how she knew but I guess he wasn't trying to hide his head or anything.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (86575)

• United States

2 Feb 19

I’m not overly afraid of snakes. In the wild, yes, but in a controlled environment I’ve petted them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

After reading about the sighting of the venomous one I kept a sharp eye out. I held this one as I thought I'd have a photo for myLot.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

2 Feb 19

Those types do not bother me.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

He was quite harmless so it was okay.

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

2 Feb 19

Oh, SCREAM! I'm terrified of any snake, even babies and nonvenomous ones. I couldn't even touch one as you did. Btw, those innocent pet pythons are causing a huge problem in certain areas of Florida. Once they get too large as pets, they are let loose. They have multiplied and are /constricting/eating small pets and small farm animals.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I have heard about the pythons in Florida. Fancy turning them loose when you have no further use for them. Honestly some people have no idea about anything it seems.

1 person likes this

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

2 Feb 19

Stanley may be long but slender not like those huge bone crushing pythons of South America.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I know some of the boas and pythons are huge. With a name like Stanley, this one wasn't going to be much trouble.

1 person likes this

@responsiveme (22923)

• India

2 Feb 19

I nearly passed out..

..You must be very very brave.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 19

He was only small and not poisonous. And his handler was nearby so I didn't need to worry.

1 person likes this

@responsiveme (22923)

• India

3 Feb 19

@JudyEv I get all of that but still

....He he

1 person likes this

@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

1 Feb 19

Ewwww I hate snakes but that is an awesome photo

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I don't usually bother about asking to hold snakes but I thought I'd then have a photo for myLot.

1 person likes this

@Happy2BeMe (99353)

• Canada

2 Feb 19

@JudyEv I am glad you did. It is a great photo..Better you then me. lol

1 person likes this

@YrNemo (20254)

•

2 Feb 19

I had to help out the reptile show once (for one of my kids' school festival). I was very reluctant but I survived to tell the tale

. They told me to just keep an eye on those creatures (and the kids). I had to politely saying hellos to some of those small/tiny creatures evey now and then. (I still don't care much for them

.)

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I don't normally ask to hold one but I thought it would make a good photo for a myLot post. I can imagine teachers sometimes have to put up with some things they'd rather not.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

@YrNemo Are they my age roughly? Names seem to be fashionable some years. I know a whole heap of Maureens that are all about the same age.

1 person likes this

@YrNemo (20254)

•

2 Feb 19

poor Judy. (Just remembered something. There are two very nice Judys at my current workplace right now.

)

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@Juliaacv (56195)

• Canada

2 Feb 19

I cannot imagine being brave enough to even touch a snake let alone pick it up. You look so happy in the photo, I'd be passed out cold.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

The attendant put Stanley round my neck and how to hold my hands - and 'don't squeeze him'.

1 person likes this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (69157)

• Centralia, Washington

2 Feb 19

You are cute. You look so happy to have a slithery buddy.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

He was only a little snake although surprising long.

@pjmurphy (2498)

• United States

1 Feb 19

My husband likes snakes but I usually choose to avoid them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Feb 19

I mostly do too but it was a good chance to get a photo for myLot purposes.

@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

27 Feb 19

I am afraid of snakes, big ones, small ones, poisonous or non-poisonous. Little harmless grass snakes, they scare me!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Feb 19

There are many who would share your feelings.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Feb 19

@kobesbuddy Honestly? Oh dear. Oh well, to each their own I guess. It's a shame for you though.

1 person likes this

@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

27 Feb 19

@JudyEv My 17 yr. old granddaughter has 3 pet boa constrictors, in her bedroom!

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@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

6 Feb 19

@JudyEv Thanks Judy but I think I would pass on having that even if it is nonvenomous around my neck. I love your pigtails and you look so adorable in that hat.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Feb 19

I like hats and it actually helps keep my hair out of my eyes. When it is hot I like to get my hair up off my neck hence the pigtails.

1 person likes this

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

6 Feb 19

@JudyEv You look good in the hat and your pigtails are so so cute.

@WiseGhots (14603)

•

2 Feb 19

Yuck!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 19

Oh come on. Man up! He was nice.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381799)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 19

@WiseGhots He had a nice face!

1 person likes this

@WiseGhots (14603)

•

3 Feb 19

@JudyEv How do you know that?

1 person likes this

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