Imagine going for a walk around your Pine Ridge Road neighborhood and stumbling across a 10 foot long Burmese Python snake. Impossible? Dale Grubbs found one.
The North Naples Fireman and snake enthusiasts says people buy them as pets and don't realize how big they can get, reaching lengths of up to 20 feet. When they become too much to handle they're sold or released into the wild which can end up causing problems. "A snake that size can easily devour sombody's housecat." said Grubbs. In fact, these snakes are so muscular, if it were to wrap around a child it could easily hurt or even kill him.
The stray Burmese python, named Kess, is now part of Grubbs personal collection of 27 snakes, consisting of 13 different species.
His long time love for these cold-blooded creatures prompted him four years ago to start giving educational presentations to a few elementary schools in Naples. Today, along with the help of his 11 year old daughter Whitney, his talks have become very popular. He stays busy several times a month going to various clubs and organizations around town.
His main audience are children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Grubbs likes to work in small groups of 20 - 25 kids circled around him on the floor so they can get up close and handle the snakes, half of which are indigenous to Florida. "I want to show them what they may come across in their yards." said Grubbs, who warns the kids to stay away from them if they do.
One of the most common snakes that can be found, even in downtown Naples, is the Southern Black Racer which is dull black in coloration and can reach lengths of up to six feet. It's very thin and quick moving, says Grubbs.
Another reptile found locally is the Indigo, which is the largest snake in the United States, reaching lengths of 8 1/2 feet. This endangered species is an iridescent black with a red chin and is found in more woodsy areas, said Grubbs. "They're gorgeous animals." Both the Southern Black Racer and Indigo are cannibals, making their meals out of poisonous snakes. For those who are not snake lovers, you don't have to worry about seeing any this time of year. When the weather turns cool and the days become short and the nights long they go into hibernation until the spring.
One of the most common misconceptions people have are that they're slimy, says Grubbs, which is not true, they are extremely dry, clean animals. Something else most people don't know are that almost all snakes have teeth and can bite. They are also beneficial to our area, especially around farms, in helping keep the rodent levels down, he says.
As far as being kept as pets, one of the biggest advantage is they require very little care. The most common species kept as a pet is the Corn snake which comes in a variety of colors and averages 3 - 4 feet in length. Their not aggressive animals and the more you hold them the gentler they become. But they are not like cats and dogs, you can't take them out and play with them, says Grubbs. "You have to have an interest in how they function . . . they don't have a personality."
But before running out to buy one, potential owners need to do research ahead of time to find out how big they'll get, how much food they'll consume, and what temperature and humidity levels need to be maintained. Grubbs warns, "Don't just go to a pet store and see one that you like color wise and say, 'hey I want it, let's buy it.'"