237: The Viral Dad Who Trusted a Giant Snake with His Toddler | Ed Taoka - AAH
Ed Taoka of “Sonny and Cher Reticulated Pythons” joins today’s episode to discuss his experience with Reticulated Pythons, and more specifically, in handling and socializing with them and his daughter. We discuss how he began his journey in keeping retics, feeding moments vs handling, their high level of intelligence, and more! Ed shares his knowledge of snake body language, being in tune with animals, and the process of taming an animal, leading to how he keeps retics around his child.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/237-ed-taoka/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:Ed’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonny_cher_reticsEd’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SonnyandCherReticulatedPythonsWe Discuss:0:00 Introducing Ed Taoka2:27 Welcome Ed + How Did He Start Keeping Reticulated Pythons10:27 Worries In Starting With Retics12:42 Socializing + Interacting With Ed’s Snakes18:39 Feeding vs Moments of Handling?21:55 How Intelligent Are Reticulated Pythons + Body Language27:28 Beginnings In Interactions With Snakes and His Daughter34:45 His Daughter’s Reaction to Snakes35:45 Animals At Home Patreon36:06 Snake Precautions Around Children38:22 Social Media Perceptions41:03 Retic With His Cat?42:36 Inspiration To Start Social Media + More Perceptions55:10 How Has Internet Fame Affected Ed?59:22 Ed’s Daughter’s Relationship with Snakes Now1:02:51 Future Enclosure Plans1:06:16 Closing Thoughts