Hard to digest: Life’s a beach for python Hiss

IF YOU go for a walk on the beach in Laytown, Co Meath, this summer do not be surprised to find a man and his 14-feet-long python there too.

“It is good for his digestion to swim in the rock pools,” explained Peter Trinder, 49, proud owner of Hiss, the 4.2 metre albino Burmese python.

Exotic pets are the norm in the Trinder household — Peter and his wife Ann share their bedroom with Hiss and two other snakes as well as a Savannah lizard.

The couple and their four children also have an assortment of cats, dogs and birds, and Ann says word has spread about their love of animals.

“People have left an injured sparrowhawk and a hedgehog on our doorstep because they know we will look after them,” she explained.

Of all their pets Hiss is the most show-stopping. He is about a year old and wont be fully grown until he is four years.

“He is only 14 feet at the moment; he will grow to 24 feet (7.3 metres) and will then weigh 250 lbs (113 kilos),” said Peter who casually added, “he would eat you and me!”

There are well documented stories of wild pythons attempting to eat people, but Peter and Ann keep him well-fed and do not think he poses a risk.

“He is my pride and joy,” said Peter as he wrapped the snake, which currently weighs 77 lbs (35k) around his neck like a scarf and walked the five minutes from his house to the beach.

Hiss eats rabbits and at this time of the year is fed twice a week.

To help his digestion Peter likes to bring him to the beach. “I put him in rock pools and he does his thing.”

Peter has been bitten by Hiss and has a white scar on his finger to remind him of what the reptile can do.

However, the snake is very strong and naturally coils himself around Peter, forcing him to stop a couple of times to unwrap Hiss from around his neck as he walks to and from the beach.

“He is getting to the point where it will take two of us to bring him down here,” said Peter, who stays beside Hiss and makes sure he does not go near other people or any of the dogs that are brought to the beach for a walk.

Ann also brings Bosco the lizard to the beach where he likes to try and climb up the rocks.

She is not fazed by sharing her bedroom with the animals and says that she showers Bosco every morning when she gets up.

“We don’t see them as pets, they are part of the family, and if they need something that comes first before us. We will go without so they can get whatever they need,” she added.

Ann says she was the first one to want a reptile, which arrived on Valentine’s Day.

Peter pointed out that this timing made perfect sense because, “chocolates make you fat and roses die after two days.”