Cats use catboxes. The feces can get on the paws (particles can get between the pads, or cling to the fur). A cat may goe from the catbox and jump onto the kitchen table. Or onto the counter.

So I consider our cat to be a far greater threat to our health than our boa (who, by the way is very cute!).

Bloody hell does every1 have to write so much??
but that is just a very strange pic i gotta give it that !!??

And kittehs can carry toxoplasmosis, which causes birth defects in humans – but that doesn’t seem to stop too many people from snorgling ‘em.

Personally, I kinda like snakes. First time I ever got up close and personal with one was in fourth grade, when a guy from the local zoo brought her in for science class. I was the only kid who would actually hold her – and only a few of the kids would even touch her.

I even remember her name: Inky, the indigo snake. She was 4 feet long – about half grown – and a deep, dark, gleaming eggplant color all over. Absolutely beautiful. I can still see her clearly in my mind’s eye. Never seen another one like her before or since. You can see photos at http://www.uga.edu/srel/eastern_indigo_snake.htm.

And the stripey guy in this pic sez: “Now, where did I put that apple? I know it’s around here somewhere!”

Wow, people here are really mean. My vet and reptile dealer told me retiles can carry salmonella on their skin, especially snakes as they slither on the ground and are more likely to slither through poop.

From: Jim Sliwa, American Society for Microbiology’s Tips from the Journal of the ASM

German researchers have determined that exotic reptiles maintained as pets may be responsible for an increase in Salmonella cases in humans. Their findings appear in the January 2004 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

“Children under the age of 10 years and immunocompromised people seem to be especially prone to infections with reptile-associated Salmonella spp. and often experience severe clinical courses, including fatalities due to septicemia and meningitis.”

In the study, fecal samples were collected from pet snakes and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Strains of Salmonella enterica appeared in eighty-one percent of the samples. Although it is unclear how these snakes are infected with the bacteria, researchers believe it is through contact with contaminated feces.

“Our results indicate that very high percentages of snakes are colonized with Salmonella spp.,” say the researchers. “To avoid transmission, strict hygienic precautions should be applied when reptiles are handled.”

Did you know that in one study, that was not species specific, of animals that had already died of various illnesses:

* 50% of snakes and lizards were found to carry salmonella, and
* 7% of the turtles carried salmonella as well
* 30% of dogs tested also carry a salmonella bacteria

So if you have say four reptiles, you could consider that perhaps 2 of them are infected with salmonella.

I HEARD SNAKES CARRY DISEASES. IS THAT TRUE?

A. Yes—snakes can carry diseases. Snakes can be host to a large number of parasites, which in turn, can affect humans, dogs and cats. Protozoa can cause digestive, respisnakeory and reproductive illnesses in snakes, humans and other animals. Tapeworms are parasites of the digestive system. Roundworms can damage the lungs and digestive tract. Snakes carry the bacteria salmonella on their skin. People who pick up salmonella bacteria can become seriously ill with diarrhea, vomiting, fever and chills. Salmonella can also affect the blood. Snake salmonella can be spread through snake fecal matter, also called “scat.”

Okay, I don’t have the time to read back, but did anyone say anything about “M-f’in snakes on an m-f’in rack” yet?

Sorry for the multiple posts.

eikoleigh, I understand where you are coming from- but the reason why so many tv shows, books and movies are so bland today is that everyone is worrying about gaining and keeping the largest number of potential consumers possible- which means being everything to everyone. And quite frankly, that’s boring.

I’m not sure that there ARE tons of people who are objecting. I think there are a few core people who don’t like certain photos, but they usually don’t threaten to leave. Most of the ones who do threaten seem to spend hours saying how they intend to leave- they and their ’sockpuppets’.

On more commercially-driven websites like Gothamist (which has such a big problem with unconscious and open racism that I now avoid it after shouting into the wilderness), ‘edgy’ can be a problem, particularly when it’s another word for ‘offensiveness’ or ’stupidity’. But I don’t think Meg is doing this site to make her daily bread. For her, it’s simply fun to share pictures.

That doesn’t mean negative comments can be helpful- yours was clear and reasoned and sincere. But things like ‘you spent one day showing pictures of aardvarks and I hate them and you didn’t read my mind and know that, so I’m never coming here again’? Um, I don’t think so. The fear of people getting huffy is what kept and still keeps advertisers from showing people of color in middle-class situations, showing women who ‘look’ like lesbians, showing ordinary-looking people as something other than ‘joe-sixpack’ types, and so on. In other words, pandering to the ignorant and the lowest common denominator is reactionary and encourages prejudice of all kinds- even against animals whose lives don’t get saved by conservationists because they aren’t viewed as ‘cute’ by large numbers of people.

So both of you are right- salmonella is in feces, but if you have a snake slither through your shirt, you should take a shower afterwards, because snakes can get their own feces on their skin and spread salmonella. And if you have a weak immune system, you shouldn’t touch snakes
(or baby chicks!) at all.

::sob::

From the CDC site that was mentioned by lilithburns:

How can I protect myself from salmonellosis?

* After contact with animal feces (stool), wash your hands with soap and running water.
* Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching reptiles or any objects and surfaces that a reptile has also touched.
* If you have a compromised immune system, avoid contact with reptiles, baby chicks, and ducklings.
* If you have a compromised immune system, be extra cautious when visiting farms and contacting farm animals, including animals at petting zoos.

Salmonella is carried in feces, not on the skin. Salmonella can also be contracted from not washing veggies properly. Proper handwashing is always a great idea. Thanks for distributing inaccurate information darkshines and making it even harder for people who properly care for their reptile pets. The following link is for the CDC’s information regarding salmonella in animals.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm