Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dear Budman and others:

I have seen you mention that the midwest Kevlar gloves are good for small species. I have seen these @ the Hamburg show and am considering getting a pair. In fact, my wife suggested that I do.

The species with which I will be working are: copperhead (BB), and pigmy rattle snake. (And possibly Crotalus cerastes or C. lepidus).

Do you think that the gloves would be adequate? At the risk of sounding stupid: I would like to increase the easy with which I change water bowl and clean cage. I don't plan to ever handle the snakes with just the gloves, but I am wondering if I can change water bowl and spot clean just wearing the gloves. Currently, if I change water bowl, I hook the snake to another enclosure. I wonder if the gloves will allow me to be able to change the water without hooking the snake to another enclosure.

By the way, at the last Hamburg show, I asked the midwest vendor about the gloves. The lady said that they tested them with blown up latex gloves inside the midwest gloves. The latex gloves did not burst even with cobra bites. Now, of course, I would think that you can only take the words of vendors with a grain of salt. What do you guys think?

Sicnerely. Thanks.
-----
Longtang. I like snakes and rats.

cobras have considerably shorted then even neonate copperheads ( agkistrodon ), and are not delivered with the same biting technique as cobras will " chew " to get deeper penetration of the relatively short fangs, certian;y short when compared with any crotilid. So her saying " even a cobra failed to penetrate the glove, while an definate improvement on bare skin, and might slow up or deflect maybe, a viperid or crotilid, to rely on it to do so is a invitation for a stay in the intensive care unit of the local hospital, your current protocoul is the safe one, stick with it, short cuts always wind up costing more time in some fashion shape or form------remember " Murphy's Law-----At any time, anything that possibly can go wrong, most assuredly shall. " Unfortunately a very true statement.
Barry

I have used them for a while and had several pairs.
larger viperids over 3 feet I would be carefull with.
elapids like an big naja can chew through but you have time to pull hand out.

here is my list if times I have been bit through them.
5.5 foot eastern diamond back bit through no problem
7 foot green mamba got one fang through once.
overall its got a good record with the smaller snakes they seem to not be able to get through
also they must be used gently the kevlar lining is delicate.
and will wear out if abused.
I use used them with agressive death adders and let me tell you they can be nasty.
I keep two pair handy with all the other tools .

bud

Just think about this..... A bullet proof vest can stop a bullet with no problem but even a small weak person can put a knife right through it....... Cevlar is not pucture proof and a large fanged species will get through it easily..... If you want my opinion they are just as good as thick leather work gloves.....

I have used them for a while and had several pairs.
larger viperids over 3 feet I would be carefull with.
elapids like an big naja can chew through but you have time to pull hand out.

here is my list if times I have been bit through them.
5.5 foot eastern diamond back bit through no problem
7 foot green mamba got one fang through once.
overall its got a good record with the smaller snakes they seem to not be able to get through
also they must be used gently the kevlar lining is delicate.
and will wear out if abused.
I use used them with agressive death adders and let me tell you they can be nasty.
I keep two pair handy with all the other tools .

bud

Most water bowls can be removed using a decent set of tongs, thus avoiding messing with the snake.
Cheers,
Max