Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The show dirty jobs had a segment on catching Lake Erie water snakes and checking to see what they ate by pushing out the food, usually mudpuppies. Although entertaining watching Mike Rowe get nailed over and over by 2' and under water snakes, I could not figure how this was safe for the snakes? And done by a bio dept of a University.

Any else see this, and have input? Or output?

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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

Big Tom,

I saw that - its one of my all-time Dirty Jobs faves.

As far as I know, that technique is not harmful. Snakes can and do voluntarilly regure as a defensive ploy. My only concern would be the food energy the snake loses.

Ya gotta admit, Mike took some fairly determined bites. At least one looked pretty close to 3 ft - the one that kept hanging on. Besides, Mike didn't scream like a girl!

BTW, Kristin the Snake Lady - is she HOT or what?!

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.1 Eastern Kingsnakes

and the stress it causes. I'm trying to get my one bloodred from stopping. I used a number of things. So far from last Thursday she has kept a pinky down. I really should not jinx myself.

But all we chat about how hard it is on a snake. And they forcing food up against the snakes will so nonchalantly.

I know water snakes are beasts. If any snake that it may not bother much, it might be them. But I wonder if that University has studied the effects of forcing food out, and what percentage of the snakes recover?

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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

Personnaly, I think regurge can cause more stress for the owner!
As for the snake, its the opposite - stress causes regurge, whether its a defensive tactic (which has worked on me!), due to an environmental problem (too hot, too cold, no hide, etc.), or a symptom of disease.

Whatever the cause, regurge is a natural response of the animal to some stimulis - fear, stress, disease, etc. As responsible keepers, its our responsibility to remedy the cause. This is where the stress comes in for us!

>>. I'm trying to get my one bloodred from stopping. I used a number of things. So far from last Thursday she has kept a pinky down. I really should not jinx myself.

Best of luck with her!

>>...I wonder if that University has studied the effects of forcing food out, and what percentage of the snakes recover?

These are good questions. All biology researchers are required to meet certain minimum standards for humane treatment of their research subjects (its the law). I'm sure that somewhere along the line, someone has studied this and determined that its not unduly harming the snakes.

Remember, Kristin (the Snake Lady) is working to ensure the survival of the Lake Erie Watersnake; If there was a problem, she would be the first to correct it. You know she's gotta love those snakes.

BTW, you should see what they do to crocodillians!

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.1 Eastern Kingsnakes

I disagree. I have had 2 and heard of many snakes dieing after just one regurge. I believe that stomach acid can get into the lungs and they suffocate. I saw that episode and although I like the series I was fairly perturbed.......
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Cleopatra"
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"