Handling big snakes - Page 3

Lankyrob · 04-05-12, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

So it's fine to hold him around my shoulders, but I must have someone within yelling distance?

You cant yell when you are unconscious or being choked

shaunyboy · 04-05-12, 08:00 AM

it only takes 5 to 10 seconds and your completely unconcious,as rob said you will NOT get the chance to shout out,should your snake decide to constrict yourt neck

i always follow the rule of 1 person,for every 6ft of snake

cheers shaun

zaroba · 04-11-12, 06:57 PM

A 5ft retic or burm will be much stronger then a 5ft corn snake simply because its a heavier bodied species of snake.
For holding alone, I wouldn't even say 7ft is ok. Maybe not even 6ft when it comes to them as heavy bodied snakes are *very* strong.

When it comes to handling alone, think of this:
How much can you do with 1 hand?

Snake length and weight is something to consider, but so is the size of its mouth. What if a 6ft retic or burmese mistakes your hand for food, grabs your wrist and wraps starts wrapping your hand? Are you going to be able to unwrap the snake and pull its mouth open with just one hand? Likely not, it will be one or the other and the snake will be fighting you the whole time.
Well, of course you could wait it out and the snake will eventually tire enough for you to remove with one hand, but I mean doing it immediately, not standing there with a 6ft snake hanging off your arm while your watching a 2 hour movie and waiting for it to tire and let go.

I'd say for safeties sake, anything up to 5ft and under 2" girth , solo. This would be Colubrids, smaller python species, garters, etc.
Anything over 2" girth OR over 5ft, *not* solo. Definitely have somebody else that can come to your aid if needed. Bloods, Retics, Burms, Anacondas, etc. Large, heavy bodied species. Snakes that are large enough to render you one handed if they decide to bite.
If over 8ft, make sure your not alone when opening the cage and handling. Meaning, you have somebody there in the room with you at the time. Somebody that can immediately see if you need help without you needing to call for it.

**millertime89** · 04-11-12, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaroba

A 5ft retic or burm will be much stronger then a 5ft corn snake simply because its a heavier bodied species of snake.
For holding alone, I wouldn't even say 7ft is ok. Maybe not even 6ft when it comes to them as heavy bodied snakes are *very* strong.

When it comes to handling alone, think of this:
How much can you do with 1 hand?

Snake length and weight is something to consider, but so is the size of its mouth. What if a 6ft retic or burmese mistakes your hand for food, grabs your wrist and wraps starts wrapping your hand? Are you going to be able to unwrap the snake and pull its mouth open with just one hand? Likely not, it will be one or the other and the snake will be fighting you the whole time.
Well, of course you could wait it out and the snake will eventually tire enough for you to remove with one hand, but I mean doing it immediately, not standing there with a 6ft snake hanging off your arm while your watching a 2 hour movie and waiting for it to tire and let go.

A 5 ft retic had better not be a heavy bodied snake.
I can hold a lot with one hand, probably not the best litmus test.
A 5 footer's mouth isn't going to be THAT big. Can it get a good hold on you? Yeah, but so can a 3.5 foot ball python. Its gonna be different for everyone. Just do what you're comfortable with, 5-8 ft is a good range, everyone needs to do what they're comfortable with from there.

zaroba · 04-12-12, 04:08 AM

When I said 'heavier bodied snake' I was only referring to the snakes girth.
A 5ft retic wont be as slender as a 5ft corn, it has more girth.

In my opinion, comfort should have very little to do with it. Comfort and Safe are 2 different things. When one is comfortable doing something, they do it often and their comfort will grow. As their comfort grows, they become complacent and that's when the more serious accidents happen. I'm sure most situations where people have been killed by pet snakes happened because the person was comfortable and didn't think anything bad would happen, otherwise they wouldn't have done the action in the first place. Cannot take for granted the power of a large snake just because you are comfortable handling it. They still have their wild instincts and must be treated with respect.

Yea, smaller snake can still get hold of you. Even a 2ft kingsnake, the difference is that smaller snakes can be easily removed with one hand and the risk of serious injury (to you or the snake) or fatality is much smaller. Their teeth are smaller, so usually not much work is needed to open their mouth and get the snake off, where-as the 1/4" long teeth of an 8ft burm do not come out of your skin easily (and I am speaking from experience).

Terranaut · 04-12-12, 04:19 AM

The last few posts are exactly what I was talking about. It's tough to use snake length,breed ,girth, mouthsize or any of that as your guide to what is ok. Unfortunately the only true way to know if you can pull off your snake during an incident is to have one. So we guess. "Sure I am ok" and you probably are but be sure and always better to have a friend you didn't need there instead of need a friend who isn't there.

stephanbakir · 04-12-12, 01:06 PM

Most of what needs to be said has been said, so I'll just add one side factor.

I could have 15 people in the room with me, and not be comfortable taking out a 10-15 foot snake. It depends on the people and I'll explain why.

When it hits the fan, most people will freak out, freeze, and look for someone who is willing to help instead of helping me personally. Unless I trust and know at least 1 person for every 8 feet of heavy bodied snake I won't be taking him/her out of the cage.

Lankyrob · 04-12-12, 02:16 PM

^^^^^ True dat ^^^^^

Robyn@SYR · 04-12-12, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirtle

So it's fine to hold him around my shoulders, but I must have someone within yelling distance?

The danger of a snake around your neck isn't that it goes postal and starts squeezing the snot out of you to kill you. That is when you would "yell". I guess.

What happens is folks put a large (or even medium) snake around their neck, and the snake has to try and remain stable, with a slow, moderately strong grip. Folks think "no danger there".

But let the snake hit just the right spots, with just a bit of pressure, and 1, 2, 3, zzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Out you go.

Just like a BJJ blood choke, you will be out before you even know it. You'll be fine, then for split second you'll think "why is my vision blurry" and then you won't think at all, just sleep. A human could put you to sleep in 6 seconds with a rear choke, it happens very quickly.

Startle the snake as you fall, and it cinches tighter for its own security, and then it is good night forever.

The danger isn't really with the aggressive snake, just the normal snake, around your neck, and their maneuvering to try and stay stable.

A guy in Denver died a few years ago because of this. Put in the media as "strangled to death by his Burm" but in reality he was just hanging out with his snake, got passed out, startled the snake, and was found dead hours later. Snake was killed. Ignorance sucks.

Lankyrob · 04-12-12, 04:48 PM

I can attest to the above tho six seconds would be when you a totally aware and fighting back. When i was training mma my sensei had a policy that you had to experience being put out to be aware of the signs, we had to all sit in a circle facing inward with our eyes closed and he would creep around the circle putting people out, i never even felt him touch me but recall waking up to him stood over me, he could do it in under a second imo.

Now i am not saying all our snakes are secret ninjas here, but if you arent expecting it and the snake catches the right pressure point there will be zero reaction/fighting back time, just you hitting the floor like a sack of spuds

Burmjunkie · 04-14-12, 12:15 AM

It seems that no one who has posted is actually a large snake owner. So I thought I would give my input.

1) HOOK TRAIN you snake, this can't be stressed enough. Conditioning your snake to "understand" that it is feeding vs non feeding time is a must.
2) If you don't feel comfortable holding a large snake DON'T OWN ONE. Large constrictors are VERY intelligent animals and are not just a throw in a cage and stare at type of animal to brag to all your friend with "look what I have". Proper exercise for these animals is key to keeping them lean and healthy. Those who seem against holding your large snakes seem to have a phobia or bad experience vs actually knowing and understanding about the animal, which is sad.
3) NEVER let the snake start to wrap around the front side of the neck near your trachea. Applying pressure at this point can cause either asphyxiation or possible breaking of the spinal column. Avoid wrapping on both sides of your neck as well. With enough pressure same thing can happen here as well.
5) Different people have different rules when it comes to the amount of feet per how many people. Telling a person to have 2 people in the room with a 8+ foot snake is ridiculous to say the least. It all has to do with the species your dealing with. I don't need 2 people to hold my 8 foot blue beauty. For bums I would say 10' is a good place to start with having 2 people in the room but it really depends on the girth and weight of the animal as well. Assuming we are talking a healthy animal 9' to 10' is a good place to start thinking about having a secondary person around. Also experience plays a role in this as well. Since the OP is new having someone in the room with you would help and keep you calmer.
6) Holding the snake on your shoulders, traps, and back of your neck is perfectly fine. Avoid the "classic draping techique. Normally used by inexperienced people who are overwhelmed with the snakes weight. Like Robyn said most of the squeezing people feel is from them being unstable and not balanced, due to improper handling to begin with. If your handling properly and giving it enough support and balance you can avoid this.

Examples of holding a large constrictor:

As you can see in all the pics the snake is NOT touching both sides of the neck at once. Only the rear and a side so squeezing would not effect the holder. ALL of these are NON snake owners holding my personal pet coached by me on how to properly hold him. The body is fully supported as to make the snake feel secure and stable.

I hope this sheds some light some light for the OP, that you CAN handle your snake safely, just be smart about it. No need for neglect b/c it gets big. Big snakes need some loving too! =)

Burmese in picture is 8-9 feet long and around 25-30 lbs.

exwizard · 04-14-12, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burmjunkie

It seems that no one who has posted is actually a large snake owner. So I thought I would give my input.

1) HOOK TRAIN you snake, this can't be stressed enough. Conditioning your snake to "understand" that it is feeding vs non feeding time is a must.
2) If you don't feel comfortable holding a large snake DON'T OWN ONE. Large constrictors are VERY intelligent animals and are not just a throw in a cage and stare at type of animal to brag to all your friend with "look what I have". Proper exercise for these animals is key to keeping them lean and healthy. Those who seem against holding your large snakes seem to have a phobia or bad experience vs actually knowing and understanding about the animal, which is sad.
3) NEVER let the snake start to wrap around the front side of the neck near your trachea. Applying pressure at this point can cause either asphyxiation or possible breaking of the spinal column. Avoid wrapping on both sides of your neck as well. With enough pressure same thing can happen here as well.
5) Different people have different rules when it comes to the amount of feet per how many people. Telling a person to have 2 people in the room with a 8+ foot snake is ridiculous to say the least. It all has to do with the species your dealing with. I don't need 2 people to hold my 8 foot blue beauty. For bums I would say 10' is a good place to start with having 2 people in the room but it really depends on the girth and weight of the animal as well. Assuming we are talking a healthy animal 9' to 10' is a good place to start thinking about having a secondary person around. Also experience plays a role in this as well. Since the OP is new having someone in the room with you would help and keep you calmer.
6) Holding the snake on your shoulders, traps, and back of your neck is perfectly fine. Avoid the "classic draping techique. Normally used by inexperienced people who are overwhelmed with the snakes weight. Like Robyn said most of the squeezing people feel is from them being unstable and not balanced, due to improper handling to begin with. If your handling properly and giving it enough support and balance you can avoid this.

Examples of holding a large constrictor:

As you can see in all the pics the snake is NOT touching both sides of the neck at once. Only the rear and a side so squeezing would not effect the holder. ALL of these are NON snake owners holding my personal pet coached by me on how to properly hold him. The body is fully supported as to make the snake feel secure and stable.

I hope this sheds some light some light for the OP, that you CAN handle your snake safely, just be smart about it. No need for neglect b/c it gets big. Big snakes need some loving too! =)

Burmese in picture is 8-9 feet long and around 25-30 lbs.

Ok I understand your points and agree with all of it but there is one point I want to bring to your attention. Dont assume none of us are big snake owners. We may well be but you dont know about it. I for one do own a big snake. She may only be a Dum and not a Burm or Annie but she is 9 1/2' long and 26 lbs. I have to have a "big snake" permit to even legally have her. Other than that one point, all of your advice is spot on.

Lankyrob · 04-14-12, 09:32 AM

And those of us that dont/cant own them are around them a lot too

- whenever i visit my reptile shop i normally have "cuddles" with their larger specimens

**millertime89** · 04-14-12, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

And those of us that dont/cant own them are around them a lot too

- whenever i visit my reptile shop i normally have "cuddles" with their larger specimens

bingo, statements like the one you made are just asinine.

Burmjunkie · 04-14-12, 11:40 AM

I merely made my observation based on the largest snakes people where comparing to the large constrictors were carpets, SD retics, or boas. Also alot of the advice being given for the most part seemed to be fearful or handling. People who have worked with large snakes can understand there is a world of difference between a carpet and a large burm, retic or anaconda.
I am glad that the large snake owners did decide to pop up and agree with me. Ain't nothing better than the big boys! =)