Standard Procedure?

[dde1878]

"Thats not a knife, This is a knife."

 

[Will Hayward]

So Dundee was a fool for having a knife too?

 

[dde1878]

i would like to apologize to everyone else on mfk for getting so of the topic.

 

[dde1878]

he was in the wild not his house and catching gators

 

[Will Hayward]

Well that is a difference, but similarly both situations involve a big powerful animal.

 

[jle49]

i cant help but laugh at you crocidile dundee.

This whole thing has been so entertaining. For the one who wants the knife. Dude don't ever get a snake. You are just to scary for me. The Crocodile Dundee said it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andyjs]

I do think using a knife on a snake should be the absolute last resort, but I also don't see a reason to ridicule someone for being safe rather than possibly dead. It's not like anyone here is saying that if a big snake bites you and starts to constrict, you instantly cut its head off. A knife is a safety precaution that some people choose to use when all other options have been exhausted.
dde1878, I do completely agree with you that there are a LOT of people that are NOT suited to keep big snakes. People that just want it for the shock value or because it's "cool" have no place having (purposely didn't use the word "keeping") these animals. Also people who go in with an extremely defensive mindset, ready to cut down the snake at its first false move have no business having these animals, as you've mentioned. You on the other hand are definitely a "keeper" and not a "haver" of these animals and I really respect your opinion and experience in this matter. You really seem to know what you're doing and are really a master over your snakes. (and just to be clear, that was completely serious, no sarcasm intended-although some may follow )I find it quite childish however calling someone a "tard" or "Crocodile Dundee" because they believe in a last ditch safety measure that you don't. I have never personally kept large constrictors and don't have any immediate or future plans to (I really would like a carpet python some day though...), though I have worked with some a little bit. However, if I did, I'd rather have a some last safety measure that was NEVER used on a snake because that one in 10 trillion situation in which it was needed NEVER came up that have it come up and be unprepared if it were to happen just cause some guy called me a "tard" on the internet.
I see no one here advocating the slashing of evil, extremely dangerous snakes if they so much as look at you, because they aren't evil or particularly dangerous when handled correctly. I understand you feel strongly about this, but a little civility never hurt anyone (and generally gains some respect-at least in my eyes-as opposed to losing it by calling people "tards" lol)

Would I carry a knife if I had a big snake? Probably not, but I don't think it's wrong for an intelligent person to do so either, especially if it is simply for a little psychological comfort. Someone going in expecting a fight/attack with the knife at the ready...they are the ones who shouldn't have the snake (or knife for that matter lol)

 

[dde1878]

i completely agree tard and dundee was a little out of line and i got caught up in the passion of my responses. i still mean the response of not meaning any disrespect to will, as well as apologizing to all mfkers for being of the topic and slandering. that being said carpet pythons are really cool snakes to have and also have a bad rep in my opinion. there are by no means a beginner snake but are not a snake that takes a highly experienced handler either. just thought id put that in for you andyjs.

 

[andyjs]

that being said carpet pythons are really cool snakes to have and also have a bad rep in my opinion. there are by no means a beginner snake but are not a snake that takes a highly experienced handler either. just thought id put that in for you andyjs.

Yeah, they are gorgeous snakes. I fell in love with them years ago reading about them in reptiles magazines and seeing them at shows. They are also what I think is the perfect size. Not a massive snake, but what a non-herp person would think is a huge snake. I haven't kept any snakes of my own, but I've worked with them for several years at a zoo (volunteer basis) and a pet store. Thanks for your opinion on carpets

I too apologize for going further off topic

 

[walls]

YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE BIG SNAKES. once you know how to handle them and also know your pet in my opinion it isn't that big of a deal.

I disagree here, even an animal that has been handled daily for 10 years without ever showing a sign of aggression can turn in an instant. These are and always will be wild animals, no matter how long they have been in a cage or even have been captive born. Reptiles can not be "domesticated".

Been keeping large constrictors for over 20 years now and I think that it is irresponsible to handle ANY constrictor over 8' alone. Period.

And yes I have been tagged by a 14'er and tagged many times by 6-12'ers, and some of these were "tame" pets, some were by me making stupid feeding mistakes, others were for no reason at all. And I have years of experience handling large snakes.