How many mothers have found smuggled reptiles in their sons' rooms?

Question

I was cleaning my boys' room this past weekend. Like a loving, caring mother, I went to put some freshly laundered clothing in their dresser. I got a tiny litle surprise. My two lil angels ( one is just shy of 12 and one just turned 10) smuggled in a foot long tiger salamander which they found in the back yard LAST WEEK and hid it in their dresser drawer thinking I wouldn't find it. They asked if they could have it at the time, and I said no. Thus, the reason for smuggling it in the first place. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have a starving, foot long salamander that can't burrow it's way back home because they caught it on a rainy day and NOW it's all hot and nasty and summery and the ground is way hard and cracked. I'm afraid the poor thing will die if we put it outside before another rainy day. SO. The question: would you laugh or cry or get mad at the boys if this happened at your house? half of me thinks it's FUNNY.. the other half is CRANKY. Give me your opinions.

Answer 1

i'd be angry for the lying and because it hasn't received proper care.  I'd make sure the boys are punished.

Answer 2

Thats funny because its not my children that pull stunts like that, its my husband! He is reptile mad. Send your kids out to find insects for it to eat, and put it in a bowl with a rock to sit on and water at one end until it rains again.

Answer 3

Id be angry they lied to me and that its a living thing, it deserves proper care. Explain to them, "How would you feel if somebody you didnt know just came and got you and put you in their drawer? When you were nice and happy where you were!" they should understand.

Explain to them that in no way is their behaviour acceptable, but considering the weather, you have to keep him for a few days. Say its because "You havent looked after him properly, and if we let him go now specially in this weather, he will die." Also let them know that as soon as the weather is okay the tiger salamander will be gone!!

Good luck xx

- i also would be angry and cranky, but its important they dont see you thinking its funny and good because they will want to do it more if they dont get in a lot of trouble.

Answer 4

ROFLMAO!

I'm sorry - I know that's not helpful.  But really, it did take some ingenuity and thought to get a (snicker!) foot-long salamander in the house!

I'd punish them through education.  Go to the library and get books on salamander care and endangered species and the like.  Make them responsible for keeping Lizzie alive and well until such time as she can be reunited with her brethren.

Because you didn't say no because you're a cruel, heartless woman.  You said no because a tiger salamander can't live in a sock drawer!

I suppose if they do a good job with Lizzie you might even promise to talk about getting an aquarium with an appropriate, modestly-sized frog or other scaly, slimy thing for the next big holiday.  'Cause nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a reptile.  :)

My son is only three ... thanks for the coming attractions!

Answer 5

Well lol while no they haven't snuck them in yet my boys have tried to sneak in frogs they found outside many times but i caught them doing it.  I try to explain the laws that state it is illegal to catch a wild animal with the intent of keeping it as a pet and that seems to help for a little while.  They have even tried to sneak in baby wild bunnies.  I know as a kid though I did use to sneak in snakes and lizards and frogs into my bedroom (which shocked people since I am a girl lol).  I would have laugh remember what i use to do and then repeat the law and make them take the animal back outside where they got it.  Then i would tell them that if they prove themselves responsible maybe we could get a legal lizard someday.