Reptile & Amphibian Forums

and I have a quick question. I dont keep venimous snakes and i dont plan to for quit a while. I keep getting made fun of by my "freinds" because i use a snake hook while handling water snakes and stuff . they told me that its not venomous so im a wuss for not picking them up with my hand. I dont like getting bitten so i use a snake hook. not to mention, i hope to one day handle venimous snakes, and it will hepl me to get used to using a snake hook

handling those snakes with snake hooks is this being a wuss?

thank you.

Danny

practice makes perfect, although it won't prepare you for elapids, atractaspids, or tree vipers. It does give you a general sense on how many vipers and crotalus will hold on a hook, keeping in mind all snakes are different, and some go apesh!t at times. There is nothing wrong with getting used to how a hook feels and how a snake rides one, don't listen to your freinds, you're doing a good thing. When the times comes, get a mentor for venomous, it is safer for you and the snake.
Good luck and do what is safe and comfortable for YOU, as you will be the only one to pay in the unfortunate case of a mistake.

I dont like being bit either. Overall I am not too worried about it provided the snake isn't packing venom, but it still smarts from time to time. Like the previous poster said, you do whatever is most comfortable to you. I am like yourself, I am still trying to get used to the whole "snake hook" thing as well. Therfore, I will use snake hooks on pretty much anything I find. It helps you learn how to control the snake better. Like the previous poster says as well, this will not help you much on some of the more dangerous species (king cobra's, etc.) but it will help you with most native animals.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Chris

>>practice makes perfect, although it won't prepare you for elapids, atractaspids, or tree vipers. It does give you a general sense on how many vipers and crotalus will hold on a hook, keeping in mind all snakes are different, and some go apesh!t at times. There is nothing wrong with getting used to how a hook feels and how a snake rides one, don't listen to your freinds, you're doing a good thing. When the times comes, get a mentor for venomous, it is safer for you and the snake.
>>Good luck and do what is safe and comfortable for YOU, as you will be the only one to pay in the unfortunate case of a mistake.

Better yet, if you have any snakes over about 3 feet, and you have any interest in keeping hots later...start using two hooks. That's a skill that takes some getting used to, and will help you a lot in the future.

If you're worried about what you're freinds think, tell them you're training for when you get your hots.

P.S. I work with everything up to king cobras and black mambas but I still use a hook for ratsnakes if I have problems with them biting me. Even if you don't mind being bitten, if the snake doesn't let go, getting it loose can be stressful and damaging to the snake.

Hi:

Larrys reply is perfect. I don't use a hook when field herping for non-venomous they are a lot easier to catch that way, although you do get bit.

Good Luck,

Al

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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

Tell your friends that you just got it from guys with probably 200 years of experience that you are right & they are wrong.

One neat trick out in the field that can get you a nasty non-venomus snake without being bitten is to grab the snake by the tail & swing it up between your blue-jean clad legs. Clamp it between your legs & gently pull it until you have safe control of the head with your hand. I know it works on racers, & imagine it would work on Nerodia as well. You might also get yourself a pair of Gentle Giant tongs for use out in the field. They are more sure than a hook for the initial capture.

~~Greg~~
http://tongs.com
Florida's Venomous Snakes

Hey Greg:

That trick was tought to me by my mentor back in 1973 when I was working with him & DEP on a Racer/Rat snake population study.

I might add it only works when you wear long pants , NOT shorts! LOL

Al
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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005