Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I am just curious to see how many people that own large constrictors as pets handle them alone. With me, I have a large female burmese python and female green anaconda. I know that you're suppose to have an extra person or a couple people with you to help with handling but at my house it's just me, myself, and I with my pets. I know it is really dangerous handling large snakes on your own but I feel that you need common sense. Also I have a tremendous amount of respect for my animals and what they are capable of. I have grown accustomed to their personalities; their good days and their bad days.

So sorry for going off on a tangent but how many people handle your snakes alone?

Thanx
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0.1 burmese python
1.0 redtail boa
0.1 green anaconda
1.0 rottweiler- "Kareem"

First of all there are individual forums for the big snakes so most people on here have smaller pythons.

I would say that it depends on how big they are and how big you are. If you are a big dude and you are talking about 10-12 footers you are ok. If you weigh 125 and have a 20 footer I would say that you are being irresponsible.

I would say that you may be being irresponsible. I have kept large constrictors in the past, and with my biggest (a thick 16' retic), I always tried to have someone else present. How big are the animals in question, and what is your reason for handling them alone (feeding, cleaning, pleasure, etc.)?

On a side note, while it is possible to know your snakes behaviors to an extent, I have found that Burmese pythons tend to be one of the less predictable ones. I've been tagged by "tame" snakes I thought I knew. Do you have any thoughts on this personally?
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin

Hey Mike....I've typing this from Daytona Are you coming?

I've nver kept anything really large, 12' being the max. I have a couple of Olives in the 10-11' range, but I always have one glove on at all times. The bigger male tagged me through the glove yesterday, minor damage. The only animal I've had in the past couple years that garnered more respect was a 12', 23lb Papuan Olive. Strongest snake I've ever handled, especially for it's size. I always wore a glove on one hand, and usually used a snake hook until it was in my hands. They tend to go UP when handled. It never bit me, but I was always cautious about it entangling my legs. It got the respect it deserved.

And I'm 6'5", 218.

Yea it is all about respecting your animals. I always try to handle my snakes when girl friend is over but she is scared to death of snakes so I don't know how help she could be if one of my big ones decides to give me a hug lol. I think one person can handle a large snake just as safe compared to a couple people with the snake. There are a couple pics on the web with Bob Clark and fluffy. He only has one other person to help him handle his well over 20ft retic.
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0.1 burmese python
1.0 redtail boa
0.1 green anaconda
1.0 rottweiler- "Kareem"

You ain't Bob Clark, and how do you know how many people are hanging out elsewhere out of the camera's view. Be safe, use your head, and please do not become another excuse for more legislation to be introduced.

Jay - Love to get down there, but won't be able to make it.
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin

Don't be a statistic.
Handling a snake over 8-10' by yourself is stupid, plain and simple. They are not predictable and can be very dangerous. I personally know where there are two retics in private collections right now that are responsible for ending the life of their previous owner - both cases the owner had years of experience and thought they "knew" their snakes. Both cases - the keeper would be alive today had someone else been present. It is not a good idea to work with a large snake alone PERIOD. I don't care who you are, how big you are or how long you have been keeping constrictors... somethings aren't worth the gamble.

*** I think one person can handle a large snake just as safe compared to a couple people with the snake. ***

Well then, not to put too fine a point on it or anything, but you aren't right bright.

Amen!

I agree it's worth qualifying the term "big snake" for a more accurate answer. 8 ft is one thing while 13 ft and up is something else. A 10 ft female boa or anaconda is also a lot stronger than a 10 ft male burm.

We have a couple female red tail boas in the 10 ft and 50-70 lb range (both weighed recently) and a couple male burmese pythons in the 10-12 ft and 50-70 lb range. We do hundreds of educational programs each year with our animals so they come into contact with thousands of families and are very comfortable around people, since it has become part of their environment. They could be described as sweet, gentile, etc. Here they are with lots of kids and families (some pics a couple years old):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOawK8W5wPw
Now keep the image of these sweet, gentile snakes in your mind while you read the next paragraph.

During feeding time, they do not know the difference between me and the food. Each one of them regularly strikes at me (on the other side of the glass) once the smell of food hits the air (thawing out frozen rats and rabbits in the reptile room helps them work up an appetite). This helps me remember that they are sweet, gentile animals with very small brains and very big instincts.

I'd be lying if I said I never handle them myself. But I do try to work with them when I have others with me whenever possible. And I especially NEVER take any liberties during feeding time.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
www.forgottenfriend.org

A 10' boa is much bigger than a 10' anaconda, from my experience. There are plenty of snakes I can handle at 10'-11', but retics are always suspect. Snakes can kill you accidently, and not want you for food. Then again, the size of the keeper is also a factor. If you're 5'5" and 120lbs....be very careful. I'm 6'5", 220, and I never trusted my 12' Papuan Olives. I always wore a thick glove, still do on my 10-11' Aussie Olives.

LOL...size DOES matter.

With ALL due respect to res989 and the other good folks who've commented on this particular thread, it just reaffirms to me why I keep smaller python varieties. I see all the giant snakes for sale every month at our local reptile show and the multitude for sale on KS. And, while they're very cool and even sometimes tempting, it's just not worth the risk to me. You can have as good an experience with smaller animals, I'll wager, and you'd never have to worry about getting seriously hurt or killed, handling it/them alone or what to do when that python hits double-digit lengths or huge weight. All of those problems can be non-issues.

I know, to each his own, and again, I respect this kind of dialogue completely. But I'm glad to never have to face some of the challenges you guys have with keeping the really BIG guys. I'll stick to the small stuff and never have to worry about enjoying herping alone. It's good to be the giant in the snake room.

Peace.