Handling Snakes

[Supertaipan]

What is the best way to handle non elapids, i mean is there a technique that is less likely to make the snake think you are a predator and therefore less likely to bite?

[waruikazi]

I can only speak for myself but i let the snake hold onto me rather than the other way around. Mine always seem pretty happy when i do this.

[Samma3l]

No sudden movements, make sure your hands are clean if you've been handling mice, rats etc so that it doesnt think its food,

of course the snake may just be a cranky illegitemate offspring and not like you anyway

[Supertaipan]

what do you mean by hold on? you mean let them crawl onto your hand?

[Samma3l]

I think he means once youve picked it up you let it grip onto you as opposed to you holding onto it

[waruikazi]

Well i pick my snakes up just as you do normally and support as much of their body as i can and yeah let them crawl/slither all over me. Smalle pythons tend to weave themselves around my fingers and bigger ones over my shoulders and around my arms.

[Magpie]

I find the best way to avoid being bitten is to make someone else handle the snake.

[waruikazi]

I even find the most flighty snakes will not bite if you use the method that i use, I think they feel less threatened and more in control of the situation. I have never been bitten by a snake while i have been holding it.

[Samma3l]

Originally Posted by Magpie

I find the best way to avoid being bitten is to make someone else handle the snake.

To be extra sure, you can minimise getting tagged even further by not being in the vicinity of a snake and avoiding opportunities to be around them

[Supertaipan]

True but some of us beginners need a bit of help here! Especially if we are looking at getting a snake as a pet

[waruikazi]

Just let the snake do its thing, if it starts to get away from you don't grab it just gently put your hand under neath it and bring it back toward you. The hardest part is getting them out of the enclosure after that most snakes are like puppy dogs!

[Supertaipan]

Thanks mate!

[craig.a.c]

Originally Posted by waruikazi

The hardest part is getting them out of the enclosure after that most snakes are like puppy dogs!

I agree. My coastal and my girlfiends bredli used to be very easy to get out of the enclosures, now they will huff and puff and have a strike here and there. Now I use a snake hook to get them out. Once out they are fine.

[Supertaipan]

thanks mate!

[Magpie]

In all honesty, I hook everything. I don't see the point in not hooking.


Well, not everything, i pick my geckos up by hand.