Snakes around the neck?

[Kettennatter]

Originally Posted by red ink

Anybody ever tried un-coiling a BP from it's prey or a corn and how hard that is to do?

I have no idea on this as I don't have any so I'll leave it up to you guys to find out.

I had a 5ft king snake once consider me prey. It coiled itself around my lower left arm and started to constrict, tightening with my every move. It felt like human hands gripping me hard.

Anything larger or thicker than my corns is not going around my neck.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by RandyRhoads

Definitely better safe than sorry. But Shaun as I said before those techniques in martial arts are a specific point you push in on, and if i'm correct by the time your carotid is to the point of your ear it turns into a cerebral artery that is not accesible to occlude.

Have you ever been choked by an open hand? It's a lot of pressure on the trachea and not as much on the carotids, unless proper technique is used to dig into them such as a cross collar choke. I'm still convinced a snake which contracts pretty consistently all around wouldn't close off the carotids unless it was strong enough to first colapse the trachea.

This is was "kinda" the main point I was getting at in my OP.
----

In any case, thanks to all who responded to this thread. Like others mentioned, I think it would be a great idea to sticky this thread and link to it whenever a "questionable" photo is posted, rather than launch into yet another "OMG! PLEASE don't put your snake around your snake for any reason." etc etc...

Good points made by all.

[moshirimon]

I don't get it, since when were ball pythons not capable of strangulation? A full grown ball python is NOT a small snake. When that 5 foot snake thicker than a small redbull can decided to go into kill mode I'd like to see anyone remove it without any trouble. Corn snakes seems less likley but they are strong snakes and can rech lengths of 6 feet (not uncommon!!) same rule should be practised for ALL snakes.

I heard they can feel a pulse in your neck with can really trigger a feeding response. A friend of mine was explaining to me how back in 99 he was knocked out COLD for absoloutely no reason, by a 13 foot green anaconda. He had this snake since it was a hatchling and he, like many of you, "trusted" the snake. he remembers the snake tightening and next minute he was waking up with a bunch of people around him. Apparently the snake "loodened up" itself , and it was easier for the people around him to remove the snake. I know an anaconda is MUCH more dangerous than a bp but just putting it out there snakes are wild whether you've had it since it was a baby or not, snakes do NOT love you, they do NOT play with you, or care about you. I hate to put it this way but it's the way it is. They are fascinating animals that some of us devote our life to. Cleaning them, feeding them, handling them does not cause them to return anything other than just being absoloutley amazing. We should respect our snakes, know their strenth, and know our limits.

[DragonsEye]

A worthwhile thread. I do think those opinions and experiences expressed here are worth considering and presenting to "the masses". The concerns are ones that many people would likely not consider if not brought up and explained.

I will admit I do allow my adult rat/corn snake or my milksnake around my neck, however that is the extent of what I would allow. Furthermore, I would not allow my rat snake to be around a child's neck even under supervision. The amount of pressure even such an unassuming snake as a corn or rat snake is able to exert is surprising for those unfamiliar with snakes. And even for those of us with snakes, I think can serve as a warning especially against allowing the thicker or larger snakes "neck privileges".

[StudentoReptile]

Sorry to resurrect the thread, but just thought I'd share:

Last night, at our herp society meeting, I went over Live Animal Protocol for whenever we do educational presentations and events, etc. Along with that subject, we also discussed responsibility and professionalism, both online and off. I specifically addressed this issue as I felt it was important that we try to represent ourselves as responsible hobbyists. I was a little hesitant when I first mentioned my "No snakes around the neck" policy, but I was surprised that nearly everyone at the meeting was in agreement. Even posting a photo of a corn snake draped around your shoulders inadvertently sends the message to someone that it's okay to do it with their RTB or retic or whatever. In all, it was great night, and we had a great time talk about responsible practices and such in our hobby.

[Kettennatter]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

[...]In all, it was great night, and we had a great time talk about responsible practices and such in our hobby.

Anything else that was discussed that would be helpful to this community?

[Revenant]

I won't even do kings or corns around my neck. I have a little girl and it's important to me to reflect safe handling practices. For me, safe handling definitely includes not putting your dang fool face in a snakes' face. The last thing I need is my two year old being bit in the face because she's trying to copy me.

I also know my snakes pretty well, but always assume there is some risk of being tagged. And you know where I'd like to be tagged? Not the face.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Kettennatter

Anything else that was discussed that would be helpful to this community?

Kinda detailed and longwinded. I may structure my notes and post it in a new thread.

[Philmul]

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

I did have a 8.5 foot 20 + lb RTB get spooked and choke me out in under ten seconds. she was wrapped around my neck when she got spooked by my brother in law walking pass the window. I am a big boy, i am strong as hell, i always thought i could easily pull her off. When in the blink of a eye your air is cut off you no longer are as strong. I passed out and fell. When my sister in law and brother in law pulled her off of me my face was purple. when i fell she had actually tighten up even more.

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.

[Terranaut]

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.

Either of the snakes you have could drop you like a stone and you would not be able to pull them off yourself. I mean if they got a good hold. Bigger snakes can do this just by being like a horse shoe over both shoulders. Most of the time its not a case of asphyxiation but of having your blood flow to the brain cut off. Even an out of shape slob can go 45 seconds without air. But even an athlete will be out in 5-10 seconds after the bloodflow stops and you realisticaly have about 2-3 seconds before you lose strength and body control. So don't kid yourself. It can happen even to you. But the best way around this IMHO isn't to stop putting snakes on you but to ensure you always do it with a friend. This way you get to share your snakes as well

When this thread was started I got the idea to have a couple drills with my kids so they knew what to do. I put my male jcp around my neck and had the kids remove him tail first as if he was choking me. I doubt we will ever have an issue but I am sure anyone killed by their snake thought the same. We also did a bite scenario where the snake would not let go. All good stuff and we had an entire afternoon of messing with my kids and our snakes.

[Pareeeee]

I don't see a Corn Snake or a Rosy Boa being able to harm you, they are a lot easier to unwrap than a heavier-bodied snake like say, Ball Pythons, which are extremely strong for their size. They, and snakes that are larger than them are what I would not put around my neck.

I do NOT however believe that they are able to manipulate pressure points to a dangerous degree, that's just bogus (ask my husband, he is a martial artist and also studies pressure points for medical purposes)

Where the danger lies is the cutting off of circulation to the head. Just slightly pressing on the right spot of your jugular can make you feel dizzy (NOT RECOMMENDED TO TRY!). It doesn't take much when those veins are cut off, to make you pass out, and if the blood supply is not regained immediately it can result in brain damage or death.

[Philmul]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Either of the snakes you have could drop you like a stone and you would not be able to pull them off yourself. I mean if they got a good hold. Bigger snakes can do this just by being like a horse shoe over both shoulders. Most of the time its not a case of asphyxiation but of having your blood flow to the brain cut off. Even an out of shape slob can go 45 seconds without air. But even an athlete will be out in 5-10 seconds after the bloodflow stops and you realisticaly have about 2-3 seconds before you lose strength and body control. So don't kid yourself. It can happen even to you. But the best way around this IMHO isn't to stop putting snakes on you but to ensure you always do it with a friend. This way you get to share your snakes as well

When this thread was started I got the idea to have a couple drills with my kids so they knew what to do. I put my male jcp around my neck and had the kids remove him tail first as if he was choking me. I doubt we will ever have an issue but I am sure anyone killed by their snake thought the same. We also did a bite scenario where the snake would not let go. All good stuff and we had an entire afternoon of messing with my kids and our snakes.

Fair enough. I will take care in the future, when I put the royal around my neck I always intervene when her tail goes around my Adam's apple

[Rogue628]

I've been following this thread since it started and have been pleasantly surprised at how this discussion has gone. It's been a good read.

In my honest opinion, no snake being around the neck in pictures, video, or in public should be seen by the general public who have little to no knowledge of these animals. It leads to negative points. One being that people may think it's ok to do that with every snake so if they ever get to actually handle one, they'll try it without even knowing the animal, putting trust in an animal that they have not built trust with. Another is the general public freaks because they believe these are animals that will kill anything it can. Neither promote positiveness to the reptile community as a whole nor is it generally safe.

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, but keep in mind that if something happens how that's going to affect your life, your animals, and every other snake keeper.

That being said, you should also know your animals, but never place 100% trust in them...or even yourself!... because things can happen you have no control over. Part of being a good handler is not putting yourself or your snake in a situation that can lead to stress for either of you.

[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.

[Gungirl]

Really Snakeman.. Open your eyes then!