Snakes around the neck?

StudentoReptile · 08-13-12, 03:52 PM

Okay...This is the only forum where I have seen people completely flip out about seeing pics of folks with snakes around their neck.

Now, I totally understand not doing this with larger constrictors because of the risk of strangulation. But corn snakes and ball pythons? I'll be honest, I have on occasion taken my elderly BP out and casually drape him around my neck while I'm giving him fresh water or spot-cleaning his cage. In 20 years, I have done this same thing with many snakes and never had an issue, although I have never done so with anything larger than a BP or an adult kingsnake.

I keep seeing the argument of pressure points being brought up repeatedly, and while I am no expert in that area, I can acknowledge the plausibility of that scenario. However, I would like for someone to explain it in greater detail for me (and any future viewers). How many pressure points are there on the neck and realistically, how possible is it for a snake to touch these? Does it have to touch them all at once for unconsciousness to occur? From my rudimentary understanding of pressure points, it would seem that the nose or tail of the snake would be be "ideal" to accomplish this, compared to the relatively flat, smooth sides of the snake's body.

Then I have to consider: what is the probability of something like this actually happening? I mean, yeah, anything can happen. Mind you, I don't really advocate that people put snakes around their necks anyway, but still, the way some people react on this forum, its like, "OMG, don't handle your ball python. It might strike you on the wrist and severe an artery!" Possible? Sure. Likelihood of happening? ...Meh...not enough to keep me from handling pythons.

I mean, I'm trying to get a grasp on this, but I just don't understand the reaction. Maybe it just needs to be explained better to me, I suppose.

mykee · 08-13-12, 04:00 PM

I see it as potentially Social Darwinism at work.

Wildside · 08-13-12, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

I see it as potentially Social Darwinism at work.

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.

Ivalynfyre · 08-13-12, 04:09 PM

I don't think it's smart to let any snake wrap all the way around your neck - I used to let my ball do so and a few times he made me lightheaded, and even if I tried to unwrap him tail-first, it was difficult to get him off. Of course I'm a weak little teenage girl, lol.
Now, just draping them across the back of your neck is fine by me - I do it with all my snakes, and over the shoulder is fine with me, too. I'm not going to get all mad and flustered if people let their snakes all the way around their necks...
When Hikari gets big in several years, she's staying away from my neck, and anyone else's, for that matter.

Kaetlinv · 08-13-12, 04:12 PM

None of the comments told to me are going to make me hold my pythons any different. I'm relaxed around them and move carefully - I won't give them a reason to tense up and if I do, I really do have enough time to stick my finger behind their tail or neck and loosen them up. I've done it plenty of times, and only the bigger of my two pythons I have any concern over hurting me.

If they're relaxed, they won't tense up, therefore they can't hit any of those specific pressure points. I'm more worried about them getting caught up in my hair, before either of them hurting me.

Wildside · 08-13-12, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivalynfyre

I don't think it's smart to let any snake wrap all the way around your neck - I used to let my ball do so and a few times he made me lightheaded, and even if I tried to unwrap him tail-first, it was difficult to get him off. Of course I'm a weak little teenage girl, lol.
Now, just draping them across the back of your neck is fine by me - I do it with all my snakes, and over the shoulder is fine with me, too. I'm not going to get all mad and flustered if people let their snakes all the way around their necks...
When Hikari gets big in several years, she's staying away from my neck, and anyone else's, for that matter.

Once they are that size they're much easier to drape over your shoulders or just hold in your hands. You can't walk around holding them and cleaning their cages and stuff when they're that size anyway. Has to be done separate.

Ivalynfyre · 08-13-12, 04:23 PM

That's why I said my neck, not my shoulders. I'm not sure I'd be able to get a 50 lb snake onto my shoulders, though, that's half of my current weight.

Toronto1977 · 08-13-12, 04:26 PM

The chances of a Royal or Corn doing any real damage are VERY slim. In martial arts pressure points are very well known, and are used especially in self-defense. I'm not advocating having a snake around one's neck but a good deal of localized pressure would have to be applied to the either the side of the neck (right above the clavicle) and/or by the adam's apple, in order for any real damage to be done. Kids of course would be more vulnerable. If you've ever been headlocked by your older brother you'd know that it's not that easy to get knocked out, unless of course you use the sleeper hold on someone.

Kaetlinv · 08-13-12, 04:30 PM

just took this and am currently at my laptop with her roaming freely around my neck / shoulders. she's more concerned with getting off of me than staying around my neck lol

Wildside · 08-13-12, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toronto1977

The chances of a Royal or Corn doing any real damage to your neck are VERY slim. In martial artist pressure points are very well known, and are used especially in self-defense. I'm not advocating having a snake around one's neck but a good deal of localized pressure would have to be applied to the either the side of the neck (right above the clavicle) and/or by the adam's apple, in order for any real damage to be done. Kids of course would be more vulnerable. If you've ever been headlocked by your older brother you'd know that it's not that easy to get knocked out, unless of course you use the sleeper hold on someone.

Ok so then the only real threat is the one around your Adam's apple because snakes around the neck don't usually put pressure on the points above the clavicle. And just to be clear it's a threat not because your snake is intent on taking you down, it's because the detection of your pulse could trigger them to squeeze, correct?

Toronto1977 · 08-13-12, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Ok so then the only real threat is the one around your Adam's apple because snakes around the neck don't usually put pressure on the points above the clavicle. And just to be clear it's a threat not because your snake is intent on taking you down, it's because the detection of your pulse could trigger them to squeeze, correct?

I'm not sure if the detection of your pulse would trigger a snake to squeeze. But the photo above is exactly what NOT to do with a more powerful snake, as it is fully wraped around her entire neck.

marvelfreak · 08-13-12, 04:37 PM

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 will say though power wise there is a big difference between say a 8 foot RTB and a 8 foot Carpet python. The key is always use safety and always expected the unexpected.

Kaetlinv · 08-13-12, 04:41 PM

exactly, Marvel. if something happens, it happens, you just have to be prepared to deal with it. It also depends on the type of snake... I don't ever plan to have anything other than ball pythons - I prefer the small size python that I can heft with one hand easily. I wouldn't put anything bigger than a ball python around my neck - not if i'm alone anyways.

Wildside · 08-13-12, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toronto1977

I'm not sure if the detection of your pulse would trigger a snake to squeeze. But the photo above is exactly what NOT to do with a more powerful snake, as it is fully wraped around her entire neck.

So what is it they feel for when constricting live prey?

Lankyrob · 08-13-12, 04:55 PM

Okay asi am the one that "freaks out" whenever i see a picture inwill explain why, again

Before my accident i was training as a MMA cage fighter, my sensei had the thought that in a fight situation it is quite often the case that you will be "put out" and the first reactioon is panic, in a fight situation you are A) expecting it and B) flooded with adrenaline. He therefore decided that we should all experience being put out inorder to understand our bodys reaction.

When he did we were relaxed and had barely any adrenaline pumping, we sat on the floor facing inwards in a circle and he walked around behind us and out us out, when he did it to me a had no recollection or thought about being touched, one minute i was sat, the next i woke up laid out on the floor.

NOW, i am NOT suggesting snakes are ninjas, nor am insuggesting that they are trying to knock you out. What i am suggesting is that it is POSSIBLE that the snake can accidently trigger the pressure points in order to knock you out cold.

You will have no time to grab the snake, or to catch yourself, it DOES NOT need to strangle you, this is a totally separate thing to being put out - watch UFC the fighters are unconscious fully but STILL BREATHING. To strangle someone takes a lot more pressure and a lot more time.

When you are put out you WILL hit the deck hard, then either the snake will slither off and disappear whilst you come round - this is probably best case scenario. OR you could smash your head on the way down and really hurt yourself, OR you could land onthe snake and hurt it.

The final scenario is that as you fall and hit the deck the snake panics and wraps you around the neck hard to stabilise itself, and then whilst you are unconscious it continues to hold on in which case you dont come round and our hobby takes a hit in the media.

As i always say it is YOUR CHOICE but is it worth the risk?? Not in my opinion.