Posted by:
markg
at Mon Sep 19 14:15:48 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by markg ]
No snake likes handling, but many types tolerate it very well. If done corectly, handling causes minimal stress to the animal.
With a kingsnake, it is always best to let the snake crawl through your hands, and support the snake but do not squeeze or grip too tightly, unless it is necessary, like if the snake is getting away from you in an area that it can escape. Many captive adult kings do not even mind if held tightly; they do not react with a flight response.
As you gain experience, you'll just "feel" the right way to do it. The right way is any way that you have control and the snake isn't overly stressed. If a snake is flailing wildly, then you have no recourse other than holding on firmly on the neck area behind the head and supporting the body so the snake doesn't hurt you or itself. But Mexican black kings usually do not do that.
Hatchling kingsnakes can be a challenge to hold sometimes because they can be so crazy. As they get older, most kings handle very well. Mexican black kings get really mellow.
BTW, a kingsnake can't choke you if put around your neck. You wouldn't endanger yourself putting any kingsnake around your neck. Still, the neck isn't the best place to hold a snake. You don't have good control.
Constrictors only constrict prey. Sometimes when a snake gets tense and is on you, it will tighten up its coils just like anyone's muscles tighten when stressed. That isn't constricting to eat, that is tension. Tension in a 15ft reticulated python could be dangerous around your neck, so don't drape one of those on you.
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Re: Handling - markg, Mon Sep 19 14:15:48 2005
