Snakes around the neck? - Page 5

Zoo Nanny · 10-11-12, 06:17 AM

This has been a very interesting thread to read. Holding any snake on shoulders or neck was grounds for immediate termination at the zoos I worked. Snakeman you should think about the message that you are giving to young people. A young teen seeing others carry their snakes around the neck feel it's ok for them to also. All a teen needs to do is go on Craigslist and get themselves a snake "to be cool" unfortunetly they also may risk being cold if they allow the snake around their necks.

Kettennatter · 10-11-12, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philmul

I have a 4- 5 ft boa I had. Her around my neck and she tightened up. I felt the potential power of her. But I would never let any boa bigger than her around my neck. I don't even think I would put her around my throat part again. Lol. I let my royal. Even at full size she is not strong enough to over power me.

Phil, you didn't feel the potential power. Unless she was going to fully constrict, you only experienced a fraction of what is possible. I had a 5 ft. King Snake constrict on my lower arm once, trying to strike and feed. It's a snake that you can normally peel off at any time, yet in that moment it felt like the strength of a human hand gripping me hard.

This is an unlikely event, so I have the feeling that many boa or python owners have never fully experienced what their snakes are capable of.

My BCI is the most mellow thing there is, and she may hang over my shoulder, but she is not going to be around my neck.

Lankyrob · 10-11-12, 07:01 AM

My adult corn was fed in a separate tub when i first got him, the process i was told was to put the rat in the tub first (f/t) and then place the snake in and close the lid.

One time the snake decided to strike the rat whilst it was still wrapped on my arm, it then proceeded to constrict the rat but didnt let me go, i was left with bruising to my arm and hand and whilst he was squeezing the rat my hand lost all circulation.

The strength we feel when our snakes "hold on" to our limbs is nothing compared to the strength they COULD bring to bear should they get spooked.

There are NO good reasons for putting any snake near your neck and MANY good reasons for not doing so!!

Kettennatter · 10-11-12, 07:12 AM

@Lankyrob - My BCI can cut off the circulation in my wife's lower arm just by trying to support its own weight. One doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what that means when the snake gets startled.

MoreliAddict · 10-11-12, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

I lol'ed so freakin' hard. Here's the thing... I've never ever ever ever heard of anyone passing out or dying because their snake gave them some sort of no-fingered death slither. In every recorded incident of "Death by Pet Snake" it's a tragic incident of "Obvious stupidity is obvious" and has absolutely nothing to do with someone chillin' with their snake around their neck.

Me either.

The deaths I mostly hear about are people getting killed by their cobra, or people getting killed by their burmese while trying to feed it.

StudentoReptile · 10-11-12, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeman8

When I have my BP in public, I always carry her around my neck, so I don't see any problem carrying a snake around the neck.

You really need to read this thread in its entirety. Then perhaps you will see the problem in what you are doing. It is irresponsible behavior.

And I have to ask: why is your BP out in public? Snakes don't need "walks." Other than educational presentations or trips to the vet, there really is no need for your snake to be out in public at all, around your neck or otherwise.

StudentoReptile · 10-11-12, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

Me either.

The deaths I mostly hear about are people getting killed by their cobra, or people getting killed by their burmese while trying to feed it.

But here's the thing...people see the photos of you and your BP or cornsnake around your neck, then they think its fine to do it with their Burmese, retic or adult RTB. That's how accidents can happen (and have happened).

Kettennatter · 10-11-12, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

Me either.

The deaths I mostly hear about are people getting killed by their cobra, or people getting killed by their burmese while trying to feed it.

Here in Ohio a man was strangled in 2006 by his burmese in its enclosure. Details vary dependng on the report.

It's an unlikely event. But even low numbers will harm our cause tremendously.

Wildside · 10-11-12, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

Here in Ohio a man was strangled in 2006 by his burmese in its enclosure. Details vary dependng on the report.

It's an unlikely event. But even low numbers will harm our cause tremendously.

Why was he in its enclosure with it?

Kettennatter · 10-11-12, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Why was he in its enclosure with it?

The burm isn't talking.

A list of "anecdotes" like that was one of the main justifications for Ohio's new dangerous animal law. Ohio's herp lobby is relatively strong and reptiles weren't completely thrown under the bus, but it was close.

Wildside · 10-11-12, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

The burm isn't talking.

A list of "anecdotes" like that was one of the main justifications for Ohio's new dangerous animal law. Ohio's herp lobby is relatively strong and reptiles weren't completely thrown under the bus, but it was close.

LOL!

Srsly though getting in an enclosure with a snake that is big enough to kill you is a stupid idea. Now I'm not talking about sticking your arm in to grab a turd or change the water. I'm talking about the other ridiculous things people do such as sticking half your body in there to wipe off the glass without removing the snake first or getting in there for a drunken cuddle

. Putting yourself in there is trespassing imo, you've just entered their hunting grounds and made yourself a target.

MoreliAddict · 10-11-12, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

LOL!

Srsly though getting in an enclosure with a snake that is big enough to kill you is a stupid idea. Now I'm not talking about sticking your arm in to grab a turd or change the water. I'm talking about the other ridiculous things people do such as sticking half your body in there to wipe off the glass without removing the snake first or getting in there for a drunken cuddle

. Putting yourself in there is trespassing imo, you've just entered their hunting grounds and made yourself a target.

He was more than likely trying to feed it. The Burm probably shot passed the prey, hit the keeper (out of feeding response), and pulled the keeper into the enclosure and constricted...

Someone was killed this way in nyc by a Burmese not too long ago...

Wildside · 10-11-12, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

He was more than likely trying to feed it. The Burm probably shot passed the prey, hit the keeper (out of feeding response), and pulled the keeper into the enclosure and constricted...

Someone was killed this way in nyc by a Burmese not too long ago...

That also seems like an avoidable situation. I'd like to know how these victims were going about "trying to feed". How can you mess up something as simple as throwing the prey in and shutting the door? Honestly, if this concept is too hard to grasp then they should have stuck with smaller snakes.

StudentoReptile · 10-11-12, 09:15 AM

Probably happened because the person was feeding the snake alone. If someone else was present, I would almost guarantee the person would still be alive today.

Once again, people just being irresponsible, no matter how you slice it.

Wildside · 10-11-12, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Probably happened because the person was feeding the snake alone. If someone else was present, I would almost guarantee the person would still be alive today.

Once again, people just being irresponsible, no matter how you slice it.

Sometimes feeding alone is unavoidable, still if the snake is in a proper enclosure one should be able to open the door toss in the prey and then shut the door without any risk of being killed by the snake.