Snake Capture Methods

[Blues Dog]

Whats the best method for capturing snakes in callout type scenario.

I.e tongs 'v hook v tailing.

Have been looking at doing a training course but some providers only use one or two methods such as just using tongs. I'd like to get experience in all of them.

Also I've heard that tongs can cause damage to snakes. And guesing that nervous inexperienced types might grip to hard would only make things worse.

Any and all advice welcomed.

[Brock Lobster]

Hooking is the most commonly used. and if you do it correctly, its the safest way IMO.

[Fennwick]

yeah i'd go with the hook. at the course i did, they taught us to grab the end of their tail and dump them in a hook bag in 1 swift movement.

[Blues Dog]

how long do most courses go for? 1 day 2 days?

[Just_Joshin]

Tailing them into a bag is the safest, most efficient and practical way IMO. It gives the lowest risk of injury to the snake and provided you get him first time is also the quickest. Once you have him by the tail you've got pretty good control over them.

Using a hook i found is not useful unless handling them once tailed to manipulate them into something or to show someone. Trying to catch them with a hook if they are on the move usually results in them sliding straight off and then you loose more ground. They are good for manipulating them out of a tight space, however.

Tongs........well this is a very controversial topic so i won't touch on it much. All i will say is i DON'T like them, the chances for injuring the snake are much higher then with any other method. They CAN have their place but personally i feel their warrented use is very limited. If you can't handle a snake safely and confidently with a hook and your hands then you shouldn't even own or consider buying a pair. Back breakers is commonly used term for them.

The only methods i will ever use are hook, hand or a combination of both.

[m.punja]

I agree with womanator. Although to try and grab the tail I've been experimenting with different types of pinning tools. For wilds snakes anyway for as womanator said trying to get them to sit back and allowed to be hooked just doesn't seem to happen and they often slide through. What I seem to be liking are window cleaning thingo's/ They are soft and on a wooden stick aren't going to fail you or fall appart, what I have found is that with the right pressure it still allows the snake to move but slows them heaps giving you a chance to grab them.

If anyone has had any drama's with this method please let me know.

[RevDaniel]

There is always a way around things. I cannot speak for everybody {every reptile also} but showing reptiles the respect they deserve goes a long way. In saying this an angry brown wouldn't relly care how much respect you have to show it. Some of the time it is just a matter of placing the holding bag infront of the snake will entice it so simply slither straight into it.

[TrueBlue]

as womanator has said tailing into a hoop bag is the safest most effective way for both parties.
Tongs imo should be banded, and anyone who has to use a pair of these horrible things to pick up a snake should not have anything to do with snakes in the first place as imo it is a sign of complete incompetence.

[herpheaven]

Every situation is different...what works with one snake will not with others. Tailing can couse injury if done wrong, so can tongs, so can pinning. Do a course, learn the techniques and pick the one that suits you. I know guys who only pinned, then swapped to tailing and vice versa.

Most people i know tail or hook

[herpheaven]

when Bryan Fry was asked, he responded as follows:

"Used appropriately they are very very safe for both snake and handler. Particularly the Midwest Gentle Giant tongs. The old pilstrom-style were potential rib breakers indeed but modern tongs are very efficient and very difficult to cause injury to the snake with. We had used them extensively for many years now under a wide variety of field and captive conditions. We have never had a snake injured by Gentle Giants. Nor do I know anyone else who has and I know quite a few people who use them.

Cheers
_________________
Department of Biochemistry,
Bio21 Institute,
University of Melbourne,
Australia

From what I know he is well respected!!!