SerpentineDream
02-26-17, 12:27 AM
Mods, I don't know if you might want to make this a sticky but it's good info to have.
If you find your snake or a wild (nonvenomous) snake caught in a rat or mouse glue trap, here's how to free it without harming it. I would assume this works for lizards as well.
1) DO NOT try to yank it out. You will severely injure or kill the snake.
2) Pour vegetable or olive oil over the snake and the trap. This will break down the glue. Don't drown the snake, but be as liberal as you can with it.
3) Moving from tail to head (so it can't bite you), gently and slowly work the snake free, rubbing oil over each freed section so it doesn't restick. Be patient and take as much time as you need to so you can avoid ripping skin, breaking bones, pulling out stuck eyeballs or breaking its jaw.
4) When the snake is free rinse it in lukewarm water, rubbing off oil and leftover globs of glue. Gently rub the snake dry with a paper towel. Return it to its enclosure or wild place and leave it alone to recuperate.
It's worth noting that if you use glue traps, they are cruel unless you are willing to check them at frequent intervals and humanely dispatch a caught mouse or rat to ensure it doesn't suffer. Frequent checks will also help you avoid collateral damage if one of your snakes gets loose or if a wild snake enters your home or garage.
If you find your snake or a wild (nonvenomous) snake caught in a rat or mouse glue trap, here's how to free it without harming it. I would assume this works for lizards as well.
1) DO NOT try to yank it out. You will severely injure or kill the snake.
2) Pour vegetable or olive oil over the snake and the trap. This will break down the glue. Don't drown the snake, but be as liberal as you can with it.
3) Moving from tail to head (so it can't bite you), gently and slowly work the snake free, rubbing oil over each freed section so it doesn't restick. Be patient and take as much time as you need to so you can avoid ripping skin, breaking bones, pulling out stuck eyeballs or breaking its jaw.
4) When the snake is free rinse it in lukewarm water, rubbing off oil and leftover globs of glue. Gently rub the snake dry with a paper towel. Return it to its enclosure or wild place and leave it alone to recuperate.
It's worth noting that if you use glue traps, they are cruel unless you are willing to check them at frequent intervals and humanely dispatch a caught mouse or rat to ensure it doesn't suffer. Frequent checks will also help you avoid collateral damage if one of your snakes gets loose or if a wild snake enters your home or garage.