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One day, my step father and I where clearing away some weeds that had been growing in the vines on our house, as well as trimming, etc, to make the house look nicer. I was sweeping away leaves from the edge of the garden on our driveway, when I noticed something moving. After it emerged, I realized it was a snake.
I've always been fascinated by and interested in snakes, but this one was obviously wild and obviously hostile. I thought of all the possible things I could have done such as calling animal control, putting in another yard, or just leaving it alone. None of these options, however, seemed appropriate. There are young kids in my neighborhood who frequently play outside, and though this snake hardly seemed able to injure someone, it was something I didn't want to risk.
Me, being arrogant about common snake breeds, couldn't identify it. I couldn't tell if it was poisonous or not, or if it was large enough to hurt a small child.
So I killed it. I stampted it repeadely until it didn't move anymore.
I did not take pride or pleasure in the act of killing an innocent one of God's creatures, but instinct took over and I knew what I had to do for the complete saftey of my concious and of my family.
I still have not lived it down...
I know snakes are commonly misunderstood as predators, who only kill or attempt to kill everything around them. I know now that this is not true. I have wanted a snake for a long time, and it just so happened that a trip to Trader's Village led me to a breeder named Thomas (a very smart man that has written for REPTILE magazine once about breeding Honduran Milk Snakes), and after a long conversation with him and his friend (and fellow snake owner) Mark, I learned about breeds of snakes, how to care for them and feed them, and about the 4 poisonous breeds in the United States. So I bought one.
It might have been fate, it might have been chance, but I saw it as an opportunity for atonement. Owning and loving this snake from my heart doesn't make up for what I did, but it sets my conscious at ease. It is a mere feeble attempt at making up for the atrocity that was committed. But I have reached a small understanding about snakes, what they are, where they come from, and why they're misunderstood.
Writing this and knowing that at least one person will read it makes me feel better. My fear was caused by ignorance, and step by step that ignorance will be removed from my life.
Any encouraging words that someone thinks will make me feel one step closer to pure atonement are welcome.
Anyone destructive voices calling me a monster or an ignorant bastard are not.
Thank you for your time.
- Tim.
Nanelia - 03.22.09 - Present
There is no reason for a Python ban.
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Thats okay. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has the ability to learn from them too, like you did.  And you even took it a step further and learned even more on the subject. So thats good.
Just remember that every animal has the right to live. Whether it be harmless or venomous, nice or "mean". And every animal should be treated with respect. So next time you do see a harmful animal, contact a no-kill animal control to relocate the animal. But I bet you already know that.
_______________________________________________
0.0.1 Northern Blue Tongue Skink
0.1.0 Ocellated Skink
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Crested Gecko
1.1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.2.0 Wood Frog
0.0.1 Red-eared Slider
" Human kind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." - Chief Seattle, 1855
"The Past is history, the Future is a mystery, but today is a gift. And that is why its called the Present."
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| Don't beat yourself up over it and forgive yourself. What matters is what happens now and in the future. I am guilty of some stupid stuff, myself. I won't even mention what we did to frogs when I was a kid.
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
0.1 Western Hognose
0.1 Childrens Python
0.1 Everglades Ratsnake
1.0 Bull snake
1.1.2 Crested Geckos "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" - Carl Sagan
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| your honesty is an inspiration and i feel for you P.S. i love california kingsnakes so congrats!
My Herps 1.2.0 fire belly toads: Bombina Orientalis pair, one Bombina Bombina Coming: Jan. 30-31 2010 a pair of blue D. auratus poison dart frogs vote for Cricket at: http://www.reptilechannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=117170 post replies there
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Thanks everyone. I kinda feel silly getting all emotional but I feel like it's something I needed to get something off of my chest.
- Tim.
Nanelia - 03.22.09 - Present
There is no reason for a Python ban.
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there is nothing to be ashamed of feeling bad about killing a living creature we all respect that
My Herps 1.2.0 fire belly toads: Bombina Orientalis pair, one Bombina Bombina Coming: Jan. 30-31 2010 a pair of blue D. auratus poison dart frogs vote for Cricket at: http://www.reptilechannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=117170 post replies there
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New Member
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wow i bet that really made you feel like a terrible person.but dont be sad about it you were only trying to protect your family and others.and also dont you know you can tell a snake is venomous or not by looking at its fangs?
๔คlt๏ภ ฬєllรRisin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger
Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive
Risin' up, straight to the top
Have the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
The eye of the tiger
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New Member
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| i am glad that at least you are making up for a past regret. what you did is not something you should feel bad about because if it was poisonous then you saved someone's life. like you said, you didn't know if that snake was poisonous and little kids play around that area. there are many cases i've heard of where little kids get bitten by a poisonous snake in their own backyard
--> Shani
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Study, learn and grow.
And yes..... Admitting you were wrong for what you have done, is a huge step.
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Study: Now find out - exactly - what breed, species and type of snake you killed.
Learn: all you can about that now dead animal. Try to understand what it may have been doing that day you took its life.
Grow: Be prepared for what you may one day face in the future. You may prove that fateful day to be of positive benefit to the found - and finder.
Owning a snake is indeed a positive, small step. But, True Atonement will only occur, when you understand what it is exactly, that you have done to atone for.
Nope. No signature for me today, thanks.....
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awww, thats sad. but you didnt do it to be mean.
Skylar 
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