Reptile & Amphibian Forums

caught this last weekend enjoy and btw i was trying to talk and hold the snake at same time so i look wierd lol
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/mdmolone/IMG_0916_1024.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/mdmolone/IMG_0906_1024.jpg

Very nice.

One thing though before someone else pipes up less diplomatically... Next time, just use the hook. You're 0.07 seconds from getting tagged on the left hand by that copper. Tailing is for bigger snakes that give you more time to react, and you need to have well under half of the snake's body forward of the hook so it can't get back to you.

To put it in perspective, I work with the likes of large mambas and king cobras up to 14 feet and I would NOT tail a snake that size because the risk of being bitten is too high...
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

ok ill just use the tongs next time and avoid touching it but i need to hold it so i could get it away from some people that wanted to kill it.and thats cool that you keep mambas and cobras

btw it was 35 degreese outside and the snake was pretty calm

You are fortunate that Larry used such a nice approach to scold you a bit. If I said what was on my mind, you would probably react like most young people (my lips hurt at this moment). Listen to Larry, it could save your life.

PS: Although the air temp may have been 35 deg F., when a snake is basking in the sun, you would be amazed as to how quickly it can heat its internal core temps. Your technique was not very good (nor your judgement) so just count yourself fortunate this time around.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>btw it was 35 degreese outside and the snake was pretty calm
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I am a tad surprised that neither Larry nor Rob made any comment about this snake handler's age. I guess I won't either.

~~Greg~~

That was the part where I was biting my lip; it still hurts Sometimes I just wonder why I come here.

>>I am a tad surprised that neither Larry nor Rob made any comment about this snake handler's age. I guess I won't either.
>>
>> ~~Greg~~
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Rob,
I wonder why also.

Randal Berry

Holy Cow!!!!

I'll say it.......13 yrs old???

yes 13 lol good gues but in may ill be 14

Well ummm, not if you keep handling venomous snakes like that.
Take everyone that has given you advice, Larry, Rob and Randall all have years of experience handling venomous snakes.
You're still young, take your time. I think I told someone else this today. You have the rest of your life to learn to handle venomous snakes properly, if you take your time and learn from the right people, or you can take short cuts and assume you can handle the situation and then you'll have the rest of your life (which may not last very long) to learn from the mistakes you made.
Another personal note. Tongs are great for offering prey items and changing water bowls and in a serious pinch, restraining snakes. However I really avoid using tongs at all costs to restrain a snake, proper tools go a LONG way in your safety and the animals.

Best Regards,
Eric Marquette
Northshore Reptiles, LLC
Northshore Reptiles, LLC

while i by no means condone the handling technique age doesnt need to be that big of an issue with proper guidance, after all Steve Irwin pined his first brown snake at age 4 and i went on my first rattle snake hunt at 5 or 6