Larry,

I figured two hooks on a significantly small or large snake would be difficult, but in very different ways of course. Three (3) 36"-40" hooks and at least one 24" hook - I will abide by this!

I very much like Your ideas for safe containers and handling procedures. I honestly don't believe in keeping my pets in "shoebox" containers where they cannot be pleasurably viewed, and I also have never removed a snake from its home for feeding (except for stubborn Heterodon nasicus)--I'm very philosophical in my reasoning, and unless a good safety reason is provided, I won't change this--but I like the opaque container idea when cleaning the enclosures, and especially the trash can idea with a see-through 'handle-lid' - well-constructed! I will keep these most practical contraptions in the front of my mind.

Dating a photographer-hobbyist and having a former friend whom is a professional photographer, I could see the depth-perception-deception immediately and thus knew the rattlesnake was further from You than would appear to most at first glance. Perhaps a beneficial asset for me when dealing with hots--large or small really--I should mention my exceptionally long arms: 80" as opposed to my height of 74" (75" tall with the combat boots I always wear, and which are 11" high = good protection, and with semi-baggy BDUs). Obviously, my logic is that I can hold a hot out a little further from me; of course, I wouldn't lock (or even straighten too much) my arms for loss of dexterity and perhaps leverage also.

Timothy

>>>>I was planning on getting two hooks anyhow, perhaps one kept at the opposite side of room from where (most of) the snakes will be staged, or for bigger hots...aren't two recommended for snakes of significant size?
>>
>>I use 2 hooks for almost every snake, with the exception of the fairly small (under 18 inches) and the very large (king cobras and some VERY large rattlesnakes).
>>
>>I would really recommend THREE 36-40" hooks (two to use and one for backup) and at least one 24" for the small stuff.
>>
>>www.madprogrammer.com/snakes/handling/
>>
>>Here's an example of a rattlesnake too big to handle with two hooks (the photo makes it look like the snake is closer to my body than it really is.)
>>
>>
>>-----
>>What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.


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T.J. Gould

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