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[salebrosus]

Originally Posted by AustHerps

Despite this thread being quite old I guess a reply to the original post isn't out of order...

Pythons and elapids are very different animals, and it's more than venom glands that separate the two. They move differently, hold differently, ride hooks differently, respond to tailing differently, climb differently, possess different muscular structures, and, to hazard a guess - I'd say they think differently too.

To completely 'trust' a snake is somewhat foolish. But to 'know' a snake, I think, is possible. Each individual is exactly just that - Individual. It's not hard to see they have good days and bad days - Some days they'll be active, others they'll barely move, some days they'll leap on their prey as if they'd not had a meal in 3 months, and then other times they'll nonchalantly mosey over to their prey and proceed without any real effort. To 'trust' that a snake is having one of it's 'good' days is foolish, but to observe and make a judgement call is not. One might know his best friend like the back of his hand - but he can never truly know what mood they'll be in when he sees them. Just like the 'opposites' previously mentioned - On one day, a snake may hang from it's holders hand without a care in the world, and on the next, it might decide that the owner poses a threat (and come flying up at his face like there's no tomorrow. To 'Miss_Croft' - either you're having us on, or you're an idiot.)

As Scott mentioned, there are many factors and variables to take into account when assessing the risks of freehandling. I have a few critters which I would generally class as 'handleable' - but that doesn't mean I reach into their enclosures and rip them out at a million miles an hour without first making a few educated predictions as to what responses are to follow. I also have a few vens that I generally class as somewhat 'unstable' - but they too have their better days and, what can I say - I'm a hands-on kind of keeper.


Cheers,
Aaron.

Miss_Croft is in New York and as you know, the myths about snakes here are crap and that crap probably gets poured out to other herpers overseas.

The amount of times people tell me, "hold it by the tail it can't come back on you" i just nod and get yeah ok. I told John Cann i had doen the relocation course with WIRES for venomous snakes etc. John Cann told me never to tail the animal, if i can do it without having to touch the animal then do it that way. He then got me to promise him never to handle browns which i have never done. Watching him at past shows, i can only admire the guy.

I would love to free-handle elapids but just dont have the nerve/experience/knowledge to attempt it. Knowing my luck i would come a gutser.

Aaron, i couldnt agree with you more.