Skittles the snake found dead
Skittles, the three-year-old Brazilian Rainbow Boa which had gone missing in Msida, was found dead near the Junior College today.
The five-foot boa constrictor had gone missing from Stephan Mintoff’s apartment in Triq Ta’ Xmiexi some two weeks ago.
After he printed flyers and posted a Facebook comment asking for help from the public, some people had called him to say that the snake was alive near the Junior College but he did not find it, he told timesofmalta.com .
Today, he received calls telling him that the non-venomous snake was dead.
An emotional Mr Mintoff said he went to check and found that his pet had been run over.
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114 Comments
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silvano vassallo
Sep 3rd 2012, 19:22
The fact that the snake escaped means it was not happy there. Period.
Joseph Caruana
Sep 3rd 2012, 14:11
Its only fair that all wild snakes enthusiasts are given all the opportunity to emirate to the jungles, with their friends, the Reptiles.
Danielle Scerri
Sep 3rd 2012, 01:53
You Maltese are just selfish and ignorant people who just care about themselves ! Honestly this snake is an animal just like a dog or a cat oh and btw its HARMLESS!!!!!!!
N. Galea
Sep 3rd 2012, 10:32
Why selfish and ignorant? :/ because we dont agree with you? Thats how it is now?
I think snakes are ugly and live for nothing :) ..... if anyone wants to keep a snake in their home its THEIR responsibility for it not to escape!!! I keep my dog with us in the house! and I am extra careful for it not to escape! and when we go out I make sure he is properly tied! A snake is not an animal to leave around! If its not venomenous it can still suffocate!
Danielle Scerri
Sep 3rd 2012, 14:56
You do know that there are other snakes in Malta and you do know that they aren't kept as pets, the owner said that it is harmless so ya I believed him . You are all happy thats it's dead, if your dog died you wouldn't want other people being happy about it
Hubert Strasser
Sep 2nd 2012, 15:15
Despite being an animal lover beyond bounds, I am glad that this monster snake (yes, monster snake) has ended its life. I do not hate snakes, by far not, but snakes are dangerous, and I, like so many others, am afraid of them, the more when kept outside their natural habitat. Large Brazilian snakes are for large Brazilian jungles, not for a private residence on a tiny island like Malta. So the owner states how docile and friendly this monster was? To him, maybe. Just realize a small baby crawling in his parent's back garden meeting up with that snake who could be hungry since being on the run, and mistakes the small baby for a small rabbit? No joking, things have happened that way. Pet snakes should be banned rigorously by government law, and owners being forced to report them and getting them "neutered". I just recall the island of Guam, being about a hundred times the size of Malta, when corn snakes and other large reptiles were set out and years later they infested the island like a pest. Crawling out of every bush, sleeping in basements and laundry cellars, hanging from the chandelleria in the bedrooms, visiting kitchen tables etc., to such an extent that the government was forced to take radical steps. I remember a case when a returning U.S. serviceman opened his shipping container with personal belongings once it arrived back home, and a couple of snakes were crawling out if the fridge. In Partland, Oregon, that is. So to sum it up: There is only one way to cure this problem. See above. Sorry Mr. Mintoff, yours is not the rest of the world.
Hubert Strasser
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 21:14
Snakes arent the most dangerous animal. Get it in your head you're more likely to get hurt by people, a stray dog, or a bug rather than a snake. apart from that it didnt have to be this particular snake in a garden it could be any common garden snake. so really it goes to the parents responsiibility that they didnt take care of the child. stop using children as an excuse.
Brandon Galea
Sep 3rd 2012, 00:41
Your phobia does not make snakes dangerous. Btw this is not a a large snake, In Malta's fauna we can find snakes that grow larger then a Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Seriously people, you need to get informed before posting stuff here.
Danielle Scerri
Sep 3rd 2012, 01:49
At least the owner is going to get another snake so you can continue being scared :)
Jon Vercellono
Sep 2nd 2012, 13:04
If more people took Arriva and walked to the bus stops this tragedy would not have occured. I have witnessed (in that location) speeding cars, one who hit a cat and kept going leaving the cat to struggle until death. No its not the snake's fault its the fault of the greedy selfish drivers. Viva Arriva.
Matthew Scerri
Sep 2nd 2012, 12:10
To those afraid of harmless snakes, Im afraid of ignorance.
More people have been killed by dogs kept as pets. So what, we ban dogs? Perhaps we should also fine heftily those who let their dogs run away? Its not as if keeping this snake is illegal.
Besides, What if you are afraid of snakes? there are people afraid of dogs, horses, and what not too. People are afraid of bugs for petes sake! When has a bug ever killed anyone! Its your phobia you deal with it! Just like I have to deal with ignorance after all.
The mentality that such a creature should be killed is insane. Especially when proclaimed by so called animal lovers. just being against hunting and dog abuse does not make you one.
Im convinced that the most dangerous animal is the human being. Ive been close to venomous snakes in the wild myself and none of them bothered me. Humans, on the other hand...
V. Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 11:45
Pet owners are often known to let animals out in the wild to get rid of them. Were there to be an Exotic Animals Register the recording of the owner and whereabouts of these creatures would be made officially known for subsequent checking. Also, a Third Party Liability insurance policy should be taken out and renewed annually, with copies of the issued policy and its renewals being presented to the authorities annually. Should a pet owner fail to report the death, loss or transfer of the creature or present copy of the renewal, he should expect a heavy grilling by the authorities as to the occurrences relating to such animal.
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 21:05
And why would this pet owner ask the public for help? to show everyone he let it loose because he felt like it? no. because he missed his pet snake and just wanted it back. stop making things up, especially in this situation. yes some people release their pets, but why would someone want to create chaos among the public if he let it out for the 'fun' of it and then he wanted it back, so then he could be disappointed to see her dead? It's more likely people release dogs and cats than snakes, as housing snakes is more of a hobby for people. Seriously stop making things up. Exotic animals are expensive, and the owners who puchase them are mostly devoted.
David Delmar
Sep 2nd 2012, 10:53
Are venomous snakes being imported to Malta? Are they being imported with a licence? And if so,what happens if some snake escapes or his owner decides to free him???????????
Just asking.........
Joe Fenech
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:53
Boa in an appartment? Are we mad? Who cares if the boa was non-venomous - boas kills by suffocating their victims!
laurent caruana
Sep 2nd 2012, 11:02
Spreading "venom"? Sorry the pun!
Joseph Borg
Sep 2nd 2012, 06:27
Surely this reptile could have been dangerous. How did mr mintoff have the right to keep it? did he have a license? if so did he get a license because he's a Mintoff
Franco Farrugia
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:59
What about the danger to the reptile itself? Do we have to focus always on the danger on human beings? For once, can we accept the fact that even non-human animals share this planet?
Or is this too difficult a concept for you to understand?
And by the way, why don't you stop writing nonsense!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 21:10
and also there are maltese organizations who bring in exotic pets, for devoted owners to purchase them and give them a good home. if you're going to speak about malta shouldn't bring in exotic animals might as well apply it to the rest of the world, but your opinion isnt going to make an impact on that now is it. And you should apply it to most dogs cats and birds too. In Malta we don't exactly have local pets. Huskies suffer a whole lot in Malta but youre not going to complain about that, cause a dog is common. Just becuase youre scared of a snake or dont like it, dont be selfish enough to ruin it for others.
Brandon Galea
Sep 3rd 2012, 00:28
Please!!! that's low.
And NO that reptile was not dangerous, please get informed.
N. Bill Camilleri
Sep 2nd 2012, 03:51
I wonder what is the punishment in Malta for someone who has a dangerous pet and it kills or injures someone? Let me guess .... five year sentence suspended for two weeks and a 50 euro fine. I think I'll get a pet tiger.
Brandon Galea
Sep 3rd 2012, 00:26
Yes I do wonder!!! Although this is not the case since the snake was not dangerous
silvano vassallo
Sep 2nd 2012, 00:40
Most humans are born in captivity.
Franco Farrugia
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:58
Meaning what, exactly?
Warren J. Borg Ebejer
Sep 2nd 2012, 00:36
My condolences Mintoff :(
Franco Farrugia
Sep 1st 2012, 23:38
'Run over'. Animal cruelty at its worst. The snake should have never been allowed into the country; the snake should have never been under the 'ownership' of the man in question; and the snake should have never been allowed to get lost and thus, 'run over'. Period!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 21:08
what makes you think it was allowed to get lost?
G Hoare
Sep 1st 2012, 23:38
Myself i dont like snakes or creapcrawlies but i think it is disgusting to read people saying good ridances
,this was a pet and the owner surely feels for his pet.
Joseph Schembri
Sep 1st 2012, 21:28
Poor, lovely snake. I feel so sorry for you Mr. Mintoff.
Brandon Galea
Sep 1st 2012, 19:50
For all of you out there who were afraid of this snake, please refrain from generating and inflating myths and legends.
The misguided fears that I observed in the past few days is characterized by the film industry whereas they depict (in this case) a snake as being a killing machine; which is absolutely false. If you do your research one might find out that in 20120 in America, which is a country with plenty of venomous snakes there were only 3 deaths which resulted from an encounter with a snake, while on the other hand there were 32 deaths with resulted from an encounter with a dog.
Please get informed before ridiculing yourselves on a national news website, as these defamations due to misinformation can have their repercussions on both the snakes and people who take up husbandry of these kinds of animals, well after all no one would like to see his/ her hobby taken away just because someone else decided to give word to his/ her misguided fears
Patrick Zammit
Sep 1st 2012, 20:15
The same can be said about sharks. The film Jaws has caused untold damage to the efforts being made at protecting these magnificent animals. Every year, about 15/20 deaths are caused by shark attacks whilst over half a million people die every year following a malaria mosquito bite.
J Mizzi
Sep 2nd 2012, 08:49
Brian, what is the percentage of people who encounter dogs and snakes?
Please when using statistics do not misinform people like the NSO!!
I'm sure that people to animal encounter the dog woul be much less harmless.
Brandon Galea
Sep 3rd 2012, 00:19
Snakes in America are a very common encounter, if people do not see them it does not mean they are not there,
carlos ellul
Sep 1st 2012, 19:43
I wonder how many people would prefer that their neghbour had a non poisonous snake rather then a dog barking day and night and pissing at their gate
H. Galea (NRK)
Sep 1st 2012, 22:04
Blame the neighbours ...AND NOT THE DOG !
carlos ellul
Sep 2nd 2012, 06:55
I blame the authorities for not tackling this issue as seriously as they should and pretend people to expose themselves by reporting neighbours. A dog can be as damaging as a snake. Anyone having to live in such conditions knows exactly what im saying.
Robert R. Mifsud
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:46
What a stupid comment,it has totally nothing to do with this lost and found,dead pet snake.Its simply obvious that you cant stand the sight of dogs,poor man.
What about the loud music,shouting,and other noise we humans do continously,doesnt all this bother you,Mr Ellul ?
carlos ellul
Sep 2nd 2012, 12:18
I just asked a simple question and it deserved a simple answer Mr Mifsud.We're talking about pets and I ask what would a person prefer between having to live with a neighbour who has a silent and non poisonous snake and a neighbour whose got a dog that keeps barking day and night. Load music has nothing to do with it.
Regarding your comment do you know me? I'm a 5th generation dog breeder who had to stop this long tradition since he's responsible enough not to leave his dog alone for hours. It breaks my heart but I acted responsibly. The last thing I would want is to annoy the neighbours around me, which may push them to the extent of making something stupid which would hinder both my dog and their lives. The people who hate dogs are the ones who leave them alone for long hours and not me.
Francis Portelli
Sep 1st 2012, 19:36
Does the Maltese Civil Law protect Maltese citizens from being exposed to such creatures who have been pulled out from their natural habitat ?
A Grech
Sep 1st 2012, 20:00
Do you know what BORN IN CAPTIVITY means?
Joseph Farrugia
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:58
A. Grech:
still no excuse to import them in the first place, & much less excuse to breed them in captivity.
These are no domestic "pets" at all.
Twanny Scerri
Sep 2nd 2012, 20:28
And what qualifications and experience do you have to come to this conclusion?
Steve Zammit
Sep 1st 2012, 19:36
Exotic snakes don't belong in Malta
A Grech
Sep 1st 2012, 19:58
Most of the "Native" snakes that we have and you are proud of, where imported long time ago, much like the chameleon. let other people enjoy these animals if you don't.
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 20:21
exactly! might as well cut every single animal there is. claiming an animal doesn't belong in Malta, well so do huskies, because they suffer a whole lot in the summer. But you're not going to complain about that now are you because that's common. your excuse is stupid, like the many mentioned. it's an animal, it's part of nature, its around you everywhere. get used to it. you're only complaining because it's a 'boa' a 'snake' 'not normal in my books'.
Aaron Cremona
Sep 2nd 2012, 00:39
@Andrea Cauchi, what I think you wanted to say is that regards huskies, people don't complain that they are not in their natural habitat because they are "cute".
When you say the word "snake" to people they start yelling, even more when they hear the name Boa.
Steve, if you don't like these exotic animals in Malta, please don't spoil the fun for others.
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 2nd 2012, 21:17
exactly what I meant, thank you aaron :) I honestly can't stand the stupid comments. and people are just intolerant and selfish of what other people like. Everyones entitled to an opinion, but dont ruin something for someone else, just because you want it to suite you.
A Grech
Sep 1st 2012, 19:33
For all the people that are posting negative comments SHAME ON YOU. this snake is tame and was not let loose on purpose. All this young man wanted is some help not some abusive comments made by stupid ignorant people that never got out of their home, for your information we have snakes all over Malta. THERE ARE OTHER DANGEROUS Things in life that could kill you. This snake was born in captivity, and most of the animals that are born in captivity will not survive in the wild, they will lose most of the natural instincts (Including Biting), It's not abusive that it was a pet, I think a dog is more abused, It was created by man to serve as a "friend", and for all of you that fear of snakes... do you fear it as your belt? wallet, hand bag or shoes? isn't that ABUSIVE?. I'm sorry Mr. Mintoff, I feel your sadness.
M Spiteri
Sep 1st 2012, 19:23
Pope John Paul II loved all animals, being the first pope to proclaim that "the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren", and that animals are "fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect" and are "as near to God as men are".
R.I.P. Skittles
Matthew Xuereb
Sep 1st 2012, 19:12
@ R Curmi. Naqbel ma li qed tghid int imma jekk 'is serp jaraf lil sidu' hekk ukoll jaraf li mhux sidu allura jista jkun perikoluz.
L Tabone
Sep 2nd 2012, 08:06
Just because an animal recognizes it's owner it doesn't mean it's dangerous to others!!!!
R Curmi
Sep 2nd 2012, 13:11
Habib kif diga ghedt serp mhux kelb... jista jaraf lil sidu imma m ghandux id defence mechanisim li ghandu kelb biex jaqbez al sidu. Biex inghidlek daqxejn lunika mod biex serp jigdmek huwa li
a) jekk int gurdien u is serp ghandu il guh
b) jekk tahsdu ie: tmur tabdu ghal arrida specjalment min wara is serp jinhasad u idur biex jidefendi lilu innifsu
c) jekk iddahal idejk fin nofs meta ikun ha jiekol
Il bqija nigarantilek li jekk trid tista tizfen il lambada quddiemu ghax mhu ha jamillek xejn. Jekk int wiehed min dawk li timpresjona ruhek mil films tipo Jaws, Anaconda u dawk imbarraz nista nghidlek li isiru biex fil films u fil verita ma issirux..... ghalek nehhija min mohhok li tkun miexi ghal affari tieghek u f'daqqa u il hin johrog cobra b'rasu mollija lest biex icapcapilek ghax ma kellu xejn ahjar xjamel.
u nispicca billi nghidlek li ibza mil bniedem u mhux min creatura zghira bhal mhu dan is serp li aparti il fatt li huwa zghir huwa ukoll serp sabih hafna
A Dimech
Sep 1st 2012, 19:00
These comments make me sick. People can be scared of dogs and cats.
Dogs also can eat toddlers or kill people. How many dog attacks vs snake attacks?
and guess what we have native snakes in Malta. But wait we killed them all because they are dangerous.
Vera qatta injoranza GRAZZA aw f dan l pajjiz.
Steve Zammit
Sep 2nd 2012, 02:29
Indigenous snakes in Malta are not dangerous, in fact the 4 species we have are not even venomous. its thanks to people like this that keep all these exotic snakes that continues to add taboo on our indigenous snakes that keeps them getting persecuted in fear that they are dangerous. If anything our indigenous snakes get us rid of alien mice and rats.
Joseph Farrugia
Sep 2nd 2012, 10:00
Injoranza "GRASSA", mhux "grazza"………grazzi :-)
John Cole Smith
Sep 1st 2012, 18:51
If it was my pet , I'll be in mourning, probably weeping like a kid.
.... but excuse me, if an elderly, could have been walking by, and has a heart attack, coming face to face with Skittles, we would have more to mourn about, and this only if there was a witness to her death. If not it would have been another heart attack.
These creatures do not, belong to this Island. Only the lord knows how many, are abandoned in our country side. It is known that farmers all over the Island have sightings, of rather large snakes, that they know, are not indigenous.
These snakes, need to eat and drink. When they don't find it, they enter homes.
In both examples, these snakes could be put on par with a tiger or any other life taker.
They should be banned from our shores, else tagged, and mega fines levied of careless owners.
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 20:16
snakes escape all the time. this wasn't the first escape of a snake, continue whining and you wont be notified of another missing snake and you might just find one in front of your door step, with no one to contact. doesn't mean the owner was careless, you're careless for not researching about snakes. Seeing uncommon things shouldn't give you heart attacks. I'm pretty sure old men who are into farming and have their own fields have encountered many snakes. stop with your excuses.
Jimmy Abela
Sep 1st 2012, 23:30
@ Andrea: 'doesn't mean the owner was careless' - No, I was. 'Seeing uncommon things shouldn't give you heart attacks' - Who are you to judge what an elderly's reaction should be upon seeing a snake? I personally am startled upon seeing any stray animal on the loose!
Believe me Andrea. If I were to find ANYTHING in my house/doorstep which poses a danger to me, wife or kid, it would be dead on the spot by any means possible! And to hell with all Authorities, owner, et al!
P.S By the way I didn't kill the snake...
V. Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:51
He, she or it was only out on bail ... under the affectionate name of Skittles, also known as the more veritable Brazilian Boa Constrictor.
It can reach 7 feet in length, ground dwelling but likes to climb, a nocturnal snake, sleeping during the day and hunting at night, preferably feeding at dusk. They are medium bodied snakes and are prone to being over weight in captivity. They are not the easiest animal to keep due to their humidity requirements and are not the friendliest of boas, juveniles tend to be very nippy, and so are not recommend as a first snake to keep. Their nippiness makes this species of boa less ideal as a child’s snake or as a snake for beginners to herpetology.
This is the whole truth as given by an internet advert on pets, whose real aim is to sell.
Victor Pulis
Sep 1st 2012, 18:43
When man comfronts something he fears he does one of two things, he ridicules it or destroys it.
A Cardona
Sep 1st 2012, 19:19
Could not have said it better mate!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:41
You guys make skittles look like a serial killer. Kemm tagbu id dinja.
R Curmi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:34
Ghal dawk kolla li qed jghidu li ahjar li miet is serp ghax tal biza u ghax il mara tmut jekk tarah u bla bla bla ohra bhal dawk... is soltu taghkom titkellmu min wara fejn ma jarax hafna dawl..... jekk qatt ma rabejtu serp ma tistux tigudikaw jekk ghandux feelings jew le.... granted mux kelb ha joqod jaqbes fuqek imma hafna ahjar min huta go aquiruim u serp kapaci jaraf lil siedu
il bqija intom dawk it tiep ta nies li thobbu tassumu fuq kollox tahsibkom genji u jekk taraw creatura naturali fil kampanja l aqwa li teqirduha ghax tahsbu li qedin taghmlu xi opra kbira...... is sriep jieklu il grieden u gied ikun qedin jaghmlu
Michael Bugeja
Sep 1st 2012, 18:29
Sur Mintoff ,jekk ma tafx hawn hafna nies jibzaw minnhom ,jiena wiehed minnhom ,kont immut bil biza, kieku rajtu, u fl-opinjoni tieghi go Zoo kien ikun ahjar milli go xi dar.
Paul Giordimaina
Sep 2nd 2012, 08:40
Naqbel mieghek perfetament
Joseph Galea
Sep 1st 2012, 18:24
Good!
Patricia Mifsud
Sep 1st 2012, 18:16
I'm sorry the snake is dead and I certainly hope that the death was quick in the circumstances.
And yes, although I'm terrified of snakes and would have had a serious panic attack if I had seen it, I don't want any animal to suffer.
Many thanks for the update.
G.A. Scicluna
Sep 1st 2012, 18:03
If my wife had to have a close encounter with this pet? she would have died with fear.. so good riddance.
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:18
Jekk ghal li jista jkun QATT ma giek fmohhok, dan mhux lunika serp li hemm jigri it toroq.
Mario Borg
Sep 1st 2012, 18:51
Ma tantx hu normali Andrea li tara sriep anzi aw Malta!!
D Borg
Sep 1st 2012, 19:36
Hard luck Mr. Scicluna
Better luck next time :)
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 20:13
minn meta kont zghira sa llum rajt serp iswed. milux kelli habiba fuq bank u waqa wiehed minn fuq sigra tal harrub quddimom. hadd ma miet bil qata :) nerga nghid, mimlijin paroli fil vojt.
S.M. Cuschieri
Sep 1st 2012, 21:21
Dear Mr. Scicluna,
Your comment is unbelievable......Do you not realise that we are surrounded by snakes constantly?? LOLOL!!! Not the repitile type but the HUMAN type!!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Venom is the tall order of the day these days.........:P
Stephen Farrugia
Sep 2nd 2012, 09:16
lol @ D. Borg
Ġ. Agius
Sep 1st 2012, 17:59
I think you're all fussing a bit too much about an animal which isn't even a mammal (i.e. a species close to us and as we all know, we are made in God's image).
It's a reptile, it has no feelings + it could have been very dangerous for little children. Pythons have been known to swallow whole horses, let alone toddlers!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:31
Theres a big difference between the many types of pythons and a brazilian boa. you made research on the wrong kind of snake. brazlian boas are the tamest around. this one barely could eat a mouse. yes of course you never know what an animal might do, but please don't speak crap. There are many wild snakes roaming around Malta, so PLEASE consider that, that this snake is not the only 'threat' there was. Children should be supervised at all times anyway, children are the parents responsibility not natures. it could have been a wild snake that harmed a kid, a diseased rat, a dog with rabies, a big savage dog felt like tearing up a kid, could have been a cat and pulled out a kids eyes. Theres more dangers than this snake. Your stupid statement about a snake not being a mammal is just completely pointless. People feel whatever they please, feeling sorry or not for the situation, but really an argument with no sense whatsoever, is not considered a valid opinion. Since I was a kid till now I always saw the common black snakes and common sense tells you, you see a black wild snakes coming to you, you go the other way. if somehow you are helpless, you cry for help. no need to complicate everything.
Victor Pulis
Sep 1st 2012, 18:39
You forgot to add that it was a snake who tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit! So serves him right i suppose.
Cesco Bonello
Sep 1st 2012, 18:47
Ha ha ha ha ha
Ivan Falzon
Sep 1st 2012, 18:51
as far as i know all animals are Gods creatures not just mammals
A Spiteri PhD
Sep 1st 2012, 19:05
snakes do have feelings, they are as sentient as other animals.
A. Mizzi
Sep 1st 2012, 17:52
Mhux ahjar hekk !
Mhux gost tiltaqa ma serp bhal dak jigri barra jew f'darek bla mistenni!
Mhux sejjer inxerred dmugh zgur fuq il-mewt tieghu! Dak setgha kien ta' periklu anki ghal xi toddler , inkun bil-guh bizzejjed!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:16
hadd mu jxerred dmugh, imma in nies kapaci jaghmlu periklu akbar. hares naqra lejn il fatti u tmaqdarx in natura li mghandix htija.
R Curmi
Sep 1st 2012, 20:30
ghal informazjoni tieghek u ta toddlers kolla fid dinja serp bhal mu rainbox boa jikber l aktar 7 piedi bi hxuna ta lira l antika.... l iktar periklu li jista ikun huwa ghal xi gurdien...
anthony sultana
Sep 1st 2012, 17:44
Very sad.....
A. Mizzi
Sep 1st 2012, 18:02
This is sad!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2170360/Horror-baby-attacked-2-foot-pet-PYTHON-slipped-crib-tried-EAT-foot.html
Kurt Mifsud
Sep 1st 2012, 19:47
@A.Mizzi - Jekk ma tridx li serp jieklok, iggibux id-dar u tmurx fil-habitat tieghu
Twanny Scerri
Sep 1st 2012, 17:40
Deeply sorry for your loss my friend. I know that the 'educated' people are jumping up and down with delight but hopefully through your loss and the media coverage, some people will come to learn and love these fascinating and majestic creatures.
jeneba caruana
Sep 1st 2012, 18:18
The fascinating and majestic creatures should remain in their habitat!!
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 19:05
@jeneba, how about you tell all of malta to release their birds and fish? doesn't make so much sense now does it, that its so common for people to own birds and fish. why dont you address circuses, who treat their animals extremely badly rather then pet owner who love their animals.
Jessica Ellul
Sep 1st 2012, 17:39
very sorry to hear that he was found dead :(
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 1st 2012, 17:20
Poor skittles. The creature must have been terrified when he got lost. It might have been kinder for him if he had been left in his natural habitat though..
Twanny Scerri
Sep 1st 2012, 17:42
When a snake is captive born and bred, he lives much longer than one born in the wild. Just a fact to show how ill treated and abused they are in captivity.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 1st 2012, 17:50
I would rather live a short life filled with adventure rather than a long one secured in a cage!
Twanny Scerri
Sep 2nd 2012, 20:18
That applies to all animals I would imagine. Or are we making exceptions?
Y. Sammut
Sep 1st 2012, 17:18
One may ask where the responsibilities of owners of (potentially dangerous) exotic creatures lie; next time it may well be Fluffy the South American Tarantula or Cuddles the King Cobra that get away and I, for one, will not be pouring out any tears if they get run over through their owners' negligence to provide a suitable and secure habitat for them.
Do these people understand the safety and environmental implications of allowing alien creatures to get loose? Whether intentional or not, the result is sadly the same
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 17:35
You are one of the many people who haven't done any research about such a species. They are escape artists. Stop and i repeat STOP BLAMING THE OWNER FOR BEING IRRESPONSIBLE. Why would anyone allow their pet snake that costs over 200 euro and why on earth would you spend over 300 euro on its vivarium, imitating the rainforest and having it's humidity, mist maker and what not run on its own. How about you stop asking stupid questions and do some research and use your common sense. Dogs, run away all the time. This was a snake in a vivairum with 2 locks and it got out. AGAIN snakes are escape artists. RESEARCH. if you're going to use your internet to complain about stuff, first research facts then complain all you want.
Paolo Bugeja
Sep 1st 2012, 19:27
@ Andrea Cauchi
I am sorry but when you uproot an animal from its habitat, you take full responsibility for it. I would also blame someone who lets their tame pet (whether dog or cat) escape and it dies as a consequence of not being able to survive in the streets. Unfortunately, like children, animals have to be taken care of. You can mention money all you want, but it is of no importance to the pet if it is dead. If a person pays money to adopt a child, he or she still have a huge responsibility. The reptile CANNOT defend itself in a city. It is outside its natural habitat. That said, I still feel bad for the owner, but still, I would give him my own reptile to take care of (if I ever have one).
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 21:23
I mentioned how much he spent on it, only because this person claimed he let it loose on purpose. Why would anyone let it loose on purpose? I know it doesn't matter when it comes to it being on the streets, but consider the contact I mentioned money in.
cain muliet
Sep 1st 2012, 23:57
they live longer in captivity cos there is no predators and cos of the proper care serious responsible reptile owners provide for there snakes @twanny as for you pule your not a snake your a mamal thats more active then a snake cous of the fact that you heat up internally as for a snake it warms up externally for a heat sourse like a heat buld snakes hide most of the time and dont move much to conserve there energy and use there energy only when they need to for hunting prey dont compare appels with oranges compare your self with the so called mamel group @pule. if a snake is kept in bad unproper conditions they dont live long if kept badly by irrisponsible owners @twanny
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Sep 1st 2012, 17:05
Sorry to hear this. Regretfully Skittles got a taste of the most dangerous jungle on Earth, our roads !
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 17:02
nawwwh poor thing ): she was beautiful! it's a shame people, don't take their time to admire such creatures but instead mock and create fear towards a gorgeous harmless species. r.i.p. skittles
Daniela Dimech
Sep 1st 2012, 16:56
Miskin :( so sorry for your loss...
Alfred Cassar
Sep 1st 2012, 16:51
I'm sorry for Mr Mintoff's loss.
I'm sorry also for the Irony, that exists in this country, I had to chip my Chihuahua, and what have you, register, .... now this poor creature is a few cm long. Was this BOA chipped, or was he an unequal amongst animals?, I guess what applies to us 'Humans', applies to our brothers too.
Mr Alfred Baldacchino
Sep 1st 2012, 16:48
Most animals belong to the jungle. The authorities should act accordingly.
Damian Testa
Sep 1st 2012, 17:02
So do many people.
Robert Mifsud
Sep 1st 2012, 17:06
I agree with you. Hence you should watch out because they might come and pick you up :)
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 17:08
What's so bad about admiring such animals from home, if they're under perfect conditions. While being in the jungle it's more likely they would have came across attacks more frequently. Just because you don't like such species doesn't mean you should find reasons to forbid other people from having them.
Matthew Grima
Sep 1st 2012, 17:14
What if it was brought in legally? It's possible you know.
Charles Grixti
Sep 1st 2012, 17:16
Yes, but is there any jungles left? Animal habitat is shrinking every day as humans encroach on what was animal territory for countless eons of time.
Mr Duncan Scerri
Sep 1st 2012, 17:24
Most Maltese belong in the jungle.
Andreas Galea
Sep 1st 2012, 17:26
Why? Who broke the law? Do you listen to yourself when you talk?
Clint Cassar
Sep 1st 2012, 17:32
Also ignorant people like you shouldn't be allowed to be using a computer. If you are scared of a small snake, don't leave your house. Malta has 4 species of snakes including a poisonous one ,the cat snake ( not harmfull to humans).
Andrea Cauchi
Sep 1st 2012, 17:38
Like some brilliant people had mentioned, it's some of the Maltese's tongues that are venomous not this snake.
Peter Shaw
Sep 1st 2012, 16:39
RIP Skittles !
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