a helping hand....

[Paleosuchus]

I was wandering what the best method of getting a large constrictor to stop constricting. I might be looking into a larger boid such as a retic or rock, but would like to know, if they do have a go at me, what is the best and safe method to have them release you? I remember a man in miami got constricted by a large burm i believe it was, and they kept shooting the animal. Thats not a approach i want to take. I have heard many opinions on this, would like to here somemore. Thanks for the information, Jason

[bighillreptiles]

a spray bottle of alchohol in the snake roomat all times works two ways one the snake lets go faster thanthaystrike and two cleans the wond ,three you can have a drink and calm your nerves lol

[Big_V]

Well the key is not to let the animal strike at you. Building confidence with the animal at a young age is key. Though I dont own any Giants yet knowing the animals behaviour is the number one defence. Items such as strike shields are key as well if you have an angry giant. Also I hear that vinegar in a bottle is a good idea because they truely dislike the taste. Another good idea is to have more than one person on hand when moving the snake, the more people there the better the chance of rescue.
A good education on the animal and its behaviour is the first step though.

[Dr. Antfarm]

Warm water is another method. As is a vinegar spray. The alcohol works well too, snakes just can't handle the taste. The best method, however, was already mentioned by Big_V and that's education.

I would be willing to say, that in every case I've read of a captive snake constricting its owner, the owner is to blame. These are very primative animals that react the pretty much the same way to the same stimulus. Keep them fed, begin working with them as hatchlings, and don't scent yourself up like a prey item and things should be fine. And don't handle them alone.

If person doesn't know what they're doing, a giant can be more dangerous than a hot. Stupid mistakes lead to stupid laws.

[Big_V]

If your worried about large constrictors another idea is to get some good hands on experience with someone else and let them kinda show you a few tricks. Though I dont have any giants Ive tried my hand at moving some big snakes before. There is a great deal of skill in my opinion since all these large snakes are so heavy as well. Most snake owners are more than happy to help you on your way. Its kinda like a club. LOL

[Samba]

I'm sorry if I'm about to repeat some information, but here goes (I haven't read any of the replies)...

1.) Grab the snake's tail and bend it at a sharp angle towards the front of the snake. (It's hard to describe, but in my python's room there are detailed drawings of doing this on his door).

2.) Alcohol... rubbing or drinking, attempt to get into the mouth of the snake. I hear this is extremely effective, although I have never had to attempt it.

3.) Submerge the snake in ice-cold water. Snakes can hold their breath for quite a while, but the ice cold water usually makes them want to retreat. I hear this is not so reliable, but worth a shot.

4.) The very, very last method I have listed of getting a constrictor off is to kill it. It is listed with these other methods, in case of an emergency, including ways of dispatching the animal humanely (such as beheading, if possible).

In my python's room there are warning signs and detailed protocols listed for anyone needing assistance. There are always two people present when it is handled, and each person is rehearsed in what to do, should Bandula attack. There is always alcohol in the room, and his room is located next to our bathroom, so in an emergency everything is relatively accessable. I hope this has helped, and remember it's never the snake's fault for biting... it's the person handling it.

[weinerboy12]

i think im most cases there is never be a reason to kill it.. unless your alone and its around your neck or something.. but if you were alone.. your the idiot that should be stabbed!! haha

[Samba]

LMAO Weinerboy! I agree to an extent, however, if I've tried everything, and am in serious danger I will resort to killing, since even injuring a snake won't prevent it from killing you first.

I love my Baby, but I won't hesitate to take him out if he does something like that. I am careful, and almost never would he have a chance to do anything... but you never know... that's why I have procedures posted in order to avoid killing him should something happen. Eh, I'm babbling... it's too early to think... hehe

[JHherpetofauna]

All of the above methods are great, but one i have a hard time understanding is the killing idea? Speaking a large lets say 15 footer, how do you suppose you are going to kill a snake of that size. Stand up casually reach for the cabinent and pull out a gun? Snakes are very very persistent not to die, i have seen wardens empty pistols on large eastern diamonds and them casually slither off into the brush. The other problem i have with that idea is it is your responsability to care for this animal and provide for its needs, call me crazy but i dont see why you should kill a snake when its Your fault. But going back to that idea, how do you suppose you are going to kill it, start hacking away with the nearest object?

[Bartman]

I agree with JH. If your going to handle it then you know the risk of possibly being attacked. If you dont want to kill it, then dont handle it. I personally think a burm, retic or other giant pythons should never be handled unless being moved somewhere. These animals require a lot of respect and if your going to kill it when you handle it (if it attacks) then you shouldnt be handling it in the first place.

I think the alchohol is the only possibility or any other humane way to get it to release, but I dont think killing it should be an option, because you are the one handling it in the first place.

Just my opinion.

Aswell, how the heck would you kill it anyway!

[Ptindy]

I don't think Samba goes in and sleeps with the thing and pets its head. It has to be fed and it's home cleaned. And i'm sure when it's being fed that's the most dangerous part in keeping a large constrictor. Or if you haven't fed it in 2 months that could be bad as well. But Samba says that's her last resort. If I was endangered of my life I would kill it without a second thought. Kill or be killed right? And i'm sure that diamond back got away because those damn wardens couldn't hit anything in the head if they tried for a whole day. If you had a knife on you and a large constrictor was attacking you and you had to kill it, a knife in the top of the head would work nicely. Just my two cents.

Mike

[JHherpetofauna]

Here i go back to my first question. It wouldnt take very long for a large constrictor to kill you, a knife to its head would probably not "do the trick". How are you suppose to move in all the coils,who knows if your hands are even free? An how the hell are you suppose to get a weapon to kill a snake? I guess this leads to the fact never do cage cleaning or feeding alone. Wardens or atleast most suck at aiming, correct..having a gun just makes them feel powerful. Even if they did get a few bullets in its head it would still keep chuging along. Why do you think they have been envenomations on people with heads that have already been chopped off. You would have to physically chop the constrctors head off to do anything, and even to that extent you would probably already be dead, and even if you did manage to do so his impulses to constrict wouldnt just shut off and all go limp.

[Ptindy]

I'll believe it when I see it. And I wasn't saying I would be able to stab it in the head myself. The second person very well could. Multiple times.