I agree w/ previous posts. I only posted to make a recommendation on how to open the snakes mouth since like most people (and me), you probably don't have the appropriate tools. I use a pen, yes, like a writing instrument. Just make sure it's smooth, not one w/ a grip to it. Hold the snake behind the head and let it's body hang between your legs but then clamp your legs together to secure it's body (not like a vice clamp, just hard enough to where it can't do the backwards locomotion thing). Grab the pen and put it up to the snakes mouth like the letter "T" (or perpendicular) where the pen is the horizontal part of the letter and the snakes head is the vertical part, you'll need overhang on the other side. All you have to do is just roll it upwards towards the roof of the snakes mouth and use a tad bit of pressure. It'll take a second or two but the snake will open its mouth just a bit and you just continue to put the pen in a little futher. The snake will probably react by trying to pull away and also rapidly boucing its bottom jaw for a second or two because it's not used to having something hard come in contact w/ its teeth. It should stop and give you some time to look around. To get it out, just move it a little and the snake will react by loosening its jaw and you can VERY carefully remove the pen.

I've NEVER had a snake try to bite me afterwards but be careful anyway. I think they don't try to strike because of the fact that you just REALLY freaked them out by taking on their primary defense system head on!

Anyway, as I said, your snake is probably fine but if you worry like me, you're probably curious about your snakes health.

jb
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Jonathan Brady

"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".

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