Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sometimes when giving a snake an examination, it is necessary to control its head...ie: inspecting the mouth, teeth, or removing a snake clamped to your arm, etc. I was never shown, or taught how to handle snakes, so I generally just hold them without restricting their movement. So, I was wondering what should be known about holding a snake behind the head. For example, are there areas more sensative to pressure (throat, spine) that you should be especially careful around?

I don't really have a reason to hold either of my animals like this yet. But it is good knowlege for a snake owner I think, and I haven't seen any posts regarding this topic. Thanks for any input!

hold the head just behind it, where the neck starts. let him curl around your arm if he tries. Then, get a metal rod (like a probe) and slide it sideways into his mouth, he will open it and you can see inside.

Thanks for the reply jamison. So that means that I don't really have to worry about where to place my thumb?....just grab him behind the head. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

Jeremy

I beleive keeping the thumb and forefinger pressed gently just behind the snake's jaws, with the rest of the fingers and hand gently around the neck of the snake. My memory may be faulty here but seem to remember this being described as the best way to hold the snake by the head on some TV show about milking poisonous snakes.

hold it like you would hold a pencil. Thumb and index finger. Squeeze gently but apply firm pressure and he wont fidget, he will know hes restrained (it seems like that anyway).