Slash, the iconic top-hatted guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, is almost as famous for his towering guitar riffs as he is for his lifelong obsession with reptiles. Throughout the height of the band’s notoriety, his extensive collection of snakes—particularly his large pythons and boa constrictors—often traveled with him, leading to legendary clashes with hotel management and one particularly panicked call to the police.
The Menagerie and The Hotel Ban
At one point in his life, Slash maintained a massive menagerie of nearly 75 snakes, lizards, and even crocodiles, which included large pythons like Adrianna (a Burmese python) and anacondas like Clyde and Sam. His efforts to treat and “rescue” sick and neglected snakes were well-known, as was his tendency to treat them more like beloved, if slightly massive, pets than exotic animals.
Due to their size and the inherent danger, most luxury hotels strictly prohibited the animals. Slash was banned from bringing snakes into one particular luxury hotel. However, Slash was known for his rock-and-roll disregard for rules. The most famous anecdote involves him attempting to circumvent a strict hotel ban during a tour.
The Horrific Discovery: Serpents in the Suites
Despite being expressly forbidden from bringing the large reptiles into the luxury accommodation, Slash reportedly snuck several of his largest pythons into his suite.
The horror unfolded from the perspective of the housekeeping staff. Upon entering the room for cleaning, they were met with an unimaginable sight: massive pythons—snakes Slash later joked were being let out to “relax” after a long journey—were roaming freely across the plush carpets and furniture. The scene was reportedly one of chaos and terror. Housekeeping nearly fainted when they saw Slash secretly letting the giant pythons roam freely.
The sight of the giant, non-venomous but terrifying pythons caused staff to nearly faint, leading the receptionist to panic and immediately dial the police. Police were called as the risk of the snakes escaping or injuring someone was perceived as an immediate, severe threat. His pet “rescue” caused the receptionist to call the police in panic.
The Calm Getaway and the Aftermath
Before the police could arrive to contain the reptilian chaos, Slash reappeared. According to the rock legend’s own accounts, he remained unfazed by the commotion. He calmly grabbed the pythons and ran away before the police arrived.
He quickly gathered the giant snakes—snapping them up from the floor and coiling them up—and made a hasty retreat from the hotel, leaving the staff trembling and the room in a state of disarray. He left behind a horrific mess.
Slash has since scaled back his collection, giving most of his animals to reputable reptilian institutions around California around the time his first son was born, acknowledging the risks the large animals posed to his children. The incident remains a legendary tale in the band’s history, showcasing Slash’s unique blend of rock-and-roll eccentricity and his fierce loyalty to his unconventional pets.