Pinning

[mudflats]

On a recent herping trip i saw a large pigmy rattler. Large for the species size anyway. While pinning, i realized how careless i was being, not for myself but for the snake's sake. Afterall it was i that confronted the snake so the most condiseration should be in keeping the snake safe, and not just my well being. After that day i will not pin, being that as carefull as i can be i still seea big risk. I then poped in some Jeff corwin experiences and O'shea rerun's i have taped and noticed how careless they both where in pinning. Noticing how Jeff always pin with the handle on the snake hook it still looked pretty harsh. Just curious on what the affects are on a bad pin. Beside's vertabre damage, what are the other affect's? I will no longer pin, and from talking to experienced hot keepers and herpers, they word are There is no safe pin, always a chance on a slip. Speaking on the snakes part, not ours. Thanks for any info

[cantil]

Other effects of pinning include acute stress on the snake which may inhibit it from eating. The bottom line is that short of a medical reason (which can also be accomplished with tubing) or venom extraction there aren't very many justifiable occasions where pinning is warranted. In terms of examining a snake in the field, especially most North American species which tend to be pretty compliant with accomodating observation, I don't think pinning is a justifiable option. With regards to the safety factor, I agree completely that there is always a chance of an envomation anytime you put your hands on a hot snake, this is why we use tools to manipulate them. A good common sense observation is that a snake that isn't close enough to envenomate you can't.

In terms of how television personalities handle it, everyone has their own style and techniques and its possible the apperance of harshness stems from the rapidity with which they do it which may be a product of long experience. By the same token the force they use may also be a product of stress and excitement, I would argue that if you were trying to pin a squirrely bothrops in the jungles of belize you might apply slightly more force then absolutely necessary or then you might when working with animals you were familiar with in the relative safety of your own herp room.

Just my two cents,
Cheers

[MoreliaMike420]

Rob Bredl aka The Barefoot Bushman from "Killer Instincts" uses a "jigger" as he calls it. It looks like a triangular ice scraper on the end of a pole. He has a rubber lining on the bottom that can bend inward slightly as to not injure the snake's neck. It gives a firm grasp while accomodating to the snakes body. Thought it was a pretty good idea.

[chas*e]

The Bredl way, as said, is a safer way for the snake for sure but if you are going to have to pin well... think about the bite or think about the snake...at least you can "Live to pin again"or "Not"

[Holy Mackerel]

Why bother pinning at all. I would agree that there are safer methods for both the handler and the snake. Stick to tubing if you're interested solely of the beauty of the snake and want to view it closer. Totally reduces many of the risks.