Handling feisty snakes - Info

[carpy]

more from a recent trip to Belize:

Leptophis sp.

aggressive rear fanged snake. threat posture is staring straight at you, mouth gaping (it has a black lining). then proceeds to try to nail you at almost every opportunity.

basically, i found this snake on the other side of the stream, about 4 foot off the ground in some thick greenery. it is a very fast, slender, agile aboreal species so i knew that i had to move fast. luckily this species relies on its cryptic camouflage to such an extent that it will stay still even when approached, and this allowed me to approach it. when i was about 4 feet away i swiftly grabbed the snake, just infront of the cloaca as these snakes have been reported to "shed" their tails when held. the snake immediately swung round and proceeded to strike at my hand. i used a stick to restrain the snake, holding it about 15cm from the head so that the snake was unable to turn round and strike. the snake in question was about 4 foot. after about 15 seconds of this the snake began to calm somewhat, and at this stage i gently pulled it out of the trees, and onto the bank of the stream. i then rested the individual on the ground, and gently but swiftly moved to grab the snake by the neck. the snake initially reacted aggressively, but after a short while the snake started to relax and at this point i began to loosen my grip, whilst still remaining in control of the snake.

this individual is now a display specimen at the Belize vivarium, which is a NGO working to showcase belizes immense variety of reptiles and amphibians. it also works with the community to rehome/capture problem crocodiles and then release them. they are also involved in captive breeding projects, to insure the protection of all belize's species. the vivarium will be open to the public by i believe next autumn, and if anyone should be in belize, i thoroughly reccomend a visit!

[bluerain]

The thing about fiesty snakes is as some of the other members said. Its not the pain of the actual bite,most are pin pricks at worse. Its the quickness of it. They literally always take u by surprise.
Make sure you never smell like a rodent and wear rubber maid gloves. Beleive it or not the taste of these gloves seems to put the snakes of,and they stop bitting after a while.
Worked for my young carpet python. Wood suggest leather gloves for larger animals.
A confidence boost is sometimes all u need. beleive u me,snakes know when u are scared of them.

[carpy]

as bluerain saiys, but in many situations gloves arent an option when out herping, and the pain doesnt bother you initially - its the venom that mucks you around.

Alex

[finsandpaws]

Im only new to snake keeping but I recently took in a very angry corn (about 3.5ft) that really did not want to be touched, and as for picking him up!!!

The method I use is to wear a pair of Leather Gardening Gloves (bought just for the snakes). When I go in to his viv I simply let him strike at the glove all he wants and after a few wasted strikes he gives up and lets me pick him up, bite free!!!

Now, after a week of this I still need the gloves to get him out but he is striking far less and once he's out I can take the gloves straight off and he's spot on.

[laylac]

how likely is it that a royal would bite and if so how where and when ??? but most important will it hurt!!!! how painful would it be to a 12yr old child ?? thanks

[SpoonGirl]

My garter is a pretty feisty little fella, so at first I wore gloves and he got used to the idea that biting achieved no results. When I started holding him barehanded, he started up again, but since his bites don't hurt at all I just ignored it and he hasn't bothered trying since.

If he's irritated nowadays, he just 'blobs' on me (as I call it), and releases this nasty-smelling yellow stuff. But I ignore that as well, and he's doing it less and less because he knows it doesn't do anything.

A friend of mine had a snake which started off pretty hard to handle, but struck at her after she had put it back in the viv, and smacked it's nose against the glass! No damage done, but it hasn't tried biting anyone since...

[shiva&kaa123]

We've got a big nasty cow of a royal at work, i've found that all it takes is just a really slow approach towards the snake and this has worked for me with just about any snake...
Ben

[Cockys Royals]

Before my son got his recent amal/normal corn snake he chose one that we & shop thought was placid & nice lol we decided to pay by installments my son is only 10 & wanted to buy himself the snake. Fine he went in everyday after school for a month to handle the snake & let it get used to him. Then the snake started striking him all the time even when handled, we were all shocked at this & chose to opt for another amal/normal and this one was pleasant, son kept going to the shop made his payments regular & handled the new snake. Finally paid it all off set up the viv etc. ok so the corn came from a smallish tub and into a 2ft viv. I noticed it was a tad shocked it was in striking mode for a few days. then calmed down as it got use to its new environment, the only time it strikes is when its hungry which is good its still a baby snake about 10 inches or less. But as my son is new to snakes, we thought hes best off with one that isnt so fiesty, but the newbie he has is a tad naughty we have to keep the bulb off in the viv as it tends to sneak through the holes and snuggle up in there, I advised my son it wont be able to hide in there soon as its going to be too big. He cant wait cos now the corny is effectively in there most of the time.

[dopeking2003]

Originally Posted by RedGex

I find the the best way for me is to let them start coming out of the viv on their own, then support their weight and when they are about halfway out i just gently lift them out without gripping

Pretty much exactly what I do, less stress for everyone that way.

[qball75]

Just bought a stunning 3yr female JCP. A little feisty when i open up the viv to get her out she does the s ing up thing and hisses. When she first done it i meself then thought hey screw it all though i don't really want to get bitten i thought what the hell get in there and pick her up. So far its been a blag so maybe the hands on approach works but not going to get to cocky as im sure thats when a trip to the A&E may be called for!