Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just something I wanted to bring up. I have a rattlesnake I caught about 2 miles from my house. I've had it for about 2 years now, it has never struck at me. I pretty much had to learn by myself how to hook and tail it when I need to take it out of it's cage for a good cleaning. I'm just wondering if there's anyone else around here with more experience that I can compare notes with. There's got to be someone that can refer me somewhere. I've learned from reading other forums, from watching animal planet. I guess I'm looking for more advice than hook it and throw it in a bucket,not much skill there, any fool can tell you that. I look at it as if it where a fish, nice to look at but don't touch. Shoot my red tail boas strike out at the glass sometimes. Anyway just thinking out loud. Dave

I would recommend not putting your hands anywhere the snake could potentially strike. This includes on the back half of it's body when you "tail grab" it. Get a pair of good, sturdy tongs and a large trash can with a lid that fastens. Hold the snake well away from your body when tonging it. Put it in the can and snap on the lid.

The best medicine is always preventative. If you don't put your hands on it, and keep them well out of striking distance, your odds of getting nailed are reduced to almost nothing. Venoumous snakebite can cost anywhere from 10-50 thousand dollars to treat. Try applying for medical (or home owners) insurance after getting bit, this is if you survive (which is likely, but you may have to get someone else to fill out the forms, as you may not have your right hand anymore).

Good luck & for your own good (and the good of your loved ones), keep your hands off (literally) those hot snakes!

Best regards,

Mike