Reptile & Amphibian Forums

No - I don't mean "you", as in 'for your consumption'!

I mean, what kind of alcohol do you keep handy for potential 'emergencies'. I know this topic has been touched on in past threads, but I don't recall anyone ever mentioning just what kind of alcohol they keep in the little spray bottle.

I'm curious because it seems to me that one type may be safer, while another may be toxic. So, I wonder - what's best? Isopropyl? Ethyl? Methyl (just kidding - I know, it's toxic!)? Bacardi? Vodka?

Please advise per your practice,
- Mark
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Actually, I would recommend keeping a misting bottle of good old VINEGAR handy (doesn't matter what kind)....most snakes detest the taste of this stuff (just like people) and it is far safer. I have actually had to use it on one occasion and the rock python let go right away (only to strike at me w/in a millisecond and latching on to my other arm!...long day). Rob

I hadn't thought of that. That makes good sense.

Looks like I'll be stopping by the supermarket tonight.

Thanks for the idea,
- Mark

>>Actually, I would recommend keeping a misting bottle of good old VINEGAR handy (doesn't matter what kind)....most snakes detest the taste of this stuff (just like people) and it is far safer. I have actually had to use it on one occasion and the rock python let go right away (only to strike at me w/in a millisecond and latching on to my other arm!...long day). Rob

I have heard many different techniques with the use of alcohol and I have had great luck with the old "warm water" trick (obviously cannot keep handy in a bottle at all times). Now with anacondas, "warm, cold, or even hotter water" I dont see working and I have never had to get one off me. And with Vinegar, if you are adding it to their water to decrease bacteria growth (currently am not but I have considered) would the increased potentcy of pure vinegar be the best to use or would the animal possibly be somehow more used to it since they have it added it to their soaking pool? Just a thought

I actually just bought a seconary spray bottle to the mister I already had for this purpose. My boy is pushing over 9 feet now and I thought it was time. At any rate I would want something a little more potent than vineger. Vineger is a good idea but I wouldn't want to rely on meerly a bad taste. Alcohol is toxic and would elicit a more desired response in the event of an emergency.

I guess my question would be, how much Bicardi(80 proof) say would it take to kill a large (over 10ft) snake. I know it would take a hell of alot to kill me at 200 lbs. (lol) so a 50 lbs snake could take a spray or 2 in the face with no ill effects right?
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

The shock of alcohol will run the risk of shocking the snake and possibly killing it very quickly. You cannot compare your drinking to the affect of a shock from alcohol on a reptile. I would certainly recomend vinegar first and have a few other plans in advance...the friend helping you should be very aware what your plan is too.

Coca Cola also works. I know from experience. I keep a can handy in case of "accidents."
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1.1.?? albino burms (male also labyrith)
1.1 normal burms
1.2 ball pythons
1.1 spotted pythons
1.2 albino corn snakes (1 female snow)
0.1 house snake
1.2 kenyen sand boas
1.0 guyana red tail boa
1.0 amazon tree boa
1.1 everglades rat snakes
1.2 iguanas
1.1 leopard geckos
1.3 bearded dragons
0.0.1 ornate box turtle
1.2 dogs
0.1 children
0.1 wife

The whole purpose of having a bad tasting solution handy is to elicit a let-go reaction by the snake. What you don't want to do is elicit a kill-or-be-killed reaction like alcohol could. Vinegar is safe and most burms hate it. Personally, I can't believe people put this stuff in their burm's drinking water; seems a bit ridiculous to me but then again, nothing fails to really surprise me on these forums (same with using Cokacola). The bottom line is that if your burm is large enough to pose a danger to you, you should have at least 2-3 people present when you are working with it.

Rob Carmichael

I agree with that 100%.

I was asking this to get an opinion if they would possibly develope some low level of tolerance to where it would not cause them to let go when coiled around you. It was just a thought (I do not use venegar and I am slightly leary of it but the idea came from a pretty intelligent person so I figured if i were using larger tubs for anacondas it could be a good thought so I do not need to replace that water daily). I personally like to use warm water if a situation with a snake were not an extreme emergency. In extreme emergencies (which should never occur but do so I figure I would be prepared) I would surely have alcohol to use as a secondary option to water or vinegar.

i agree with the comment about having people around. If your burm is over 9' dont handle it if there isnt another person available!!!!!!!

I hear there is an active ingredient in Mountain Dew that will repel even the meanest of snakes!!

>>Coca Cola also works. I know from experience. I keep a can handy in case of "accidents."
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>>1.1.?? albino burms (male also labyrith)
>>1.1 normal burms
>>1.2 ball pythons
>>1.1 spotted pythons
>>1.2 albino corn snakes (1 female snow)
>>0.1 house snake
>>1.2 kenyen sand boas
>>1.0 guyana red tail boa
>>1.0 amazon tree boa
>>1.1 everglades rat snakes
>>1.2 iguanas
>>1.1 leopard geckos
>>1.3 bearded dragons
>>0.0.1 ornate box turtle
>>1.2 dogs
>>0.1 children
>>0.1 wife

np

I bet he was really pissed after you sprayed him with that stuff...that must have sucked

I know that I need other people around for a larger snake. If he decided to grab me and wrap up unravleing him from me wouldn't be a problem. One of my closest friends and my brother are my helpers and are big enough to handle that job. Only thing that still bothers me is when people say "vineger works on MOST snakes" or something like "coca cola might work".
With all due respect to the above posters

My snake killing me is not my concern as I stated above I have helpers, it is just getting him to let go. I can imagine pulling off his bite would be like pulling out 200 barbed fishing hooks all together.

Thinking................

You know what though? As I typed this post it dawned on me, even bicardi 151 will probably only work on MOST snakes anyway. Guess I'm going with vineger too.
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1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Burmese Python

` I use vinegar in soaking water to keep the pH at 5.0, measured with pH kit. This is for large Boas and Pythons who like to soak. Big snakes can foul their soaking water quickly, even without defecation. I've found that the acidity inhibits bacteria, until the water's natural carbonate buffer overcomes the vinegar. I eat it on salad, and sauerkraut, and fish, so it's not likely to harm the snakes in amounts necessary to lower pH of water. I buy it at restaurant supply wholesale house, very cheap. I've been doing this for over 40 years.
` When spot cleaning a cage, I also use vinegar and peroxide, sprayed separately. I often spray while the Boids are in the cage. Of, course, I try to avoid their heads, but they don't seem to be too upset by it. I've used peroxide to treat mouth infections, in the past. I've soaked their gums with it, with no ill effects. Naturally, I try to get as little down their throat as possible.
` I like to use cleansers that will not poison the snakes. In a major cleaning, I use Nolvasan, or bleach, but rinse thoroughly then let them air dry, as those cleansers will poison them.
` As far as alcohol for defense, Isopropyl ( rubbing alcohol ) is much more poisonous than ethanol ( the kind we drink ), to us. The last time I had to use alcohol, I put a few drops in my hands, rubbed them together, then slapped the snake on the head. It was a large Anaconda, and she let go and took off. I sure wouldn't throw or spray enough on them to get into their mouth. It would certainly burn the delicate tissue there. Their sense of smell is so acute, just a whiff is usually enough.

` For me, I like Laphroaig's single malt Scotch. lol

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Stop the world-I want to get off!

You were exactly the intelligent source of the idea I was referring to. Whats the weight and length of that girl?

` That pic is a couple of years old, she's in that pan with her boyfriend, both about 10 feet, then. Now, she's over 13 feet. Weight, well all I can tell you is that my scale goes to 300 lbs., and she and I peg it. I'm 251 lb. so who knows? lol
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Stop the world-I want to get off!