Movable fangs

[shaggybill]

I thought I read something awhile back about some snakes not being safe to grab behind the head due to "moveable fangs" or something like it. Is this true?

[BWSmith]

Some species this is true. For instance the Gaboon and Rhino Vipers can swing a fang out the side of their mouth and get your finger. The Stilletto is impossible to pin (ask O'Shea).

But it is not "safe" to pin ANY venomous snake. It is in my opion the most dangerous part of hot husbandry.

[Gregg M]

Belive it or not the bigger the gaboon the better....... I hate when I have neonate gaboons that need to be force fed....... Does not happen often but sometimes there is a runt born that will not feed on its own for a while...... Pinning adults is way easier....... As a rule pinning is done only in emergencies........ It can be fatal for the handler and fatal to the snake...... Either way you dont win.....

[ETET]

Why have to pin the snakes? Althought you sometimes have to do it. The time you put you finger behind the snakes' head while pinning is most exciting and the closest time to grave! Gregg's comment reminds me everytime I tried to force feed neonate deinakgistrodon acutus, I always thought "Don't send me to hell you little devil"


ETET