Standard Procedure?

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Fishes33

Fishes33

Polypterus
MFK Member
Apr 4, 2006
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Some of you got large snake that are over 10'+

Im always curious about what happen if your snake decide to turn on you? What happen if your snake decide to bite and coil around you? What are you going to do? kill it? or something else?

I got bitten by a 4' red tail boa once, and it hurt a lot ... A 10'+ snake bite will be like hand go numb? Hmmm are you scare of the potential attack when you take your snake out or cleaning the enclosure? Any standard procedure?

Please share your story! :D
 
IMO, this can be a serious problem. A 10+ snake is capable of inflicting serious damage, especially if you are bit in the face/head. Even hand bites can be serious.
I think large snake handling is similar to weight lifting: Always have a spotter.
I read on a few sites that big snake owners often make sure they have a qualified person nearby when handling their snakes. I agree with this practice.
If you are alone and end up in a serious situation, I think you may have to break the snakes tail as a last resort.
 
Yeah a spotter is always good to have. I worked at an LFS with an extensive reptile section and have had to deal with 10+ footers many times and several times with 15+ footers. That being said I have had some pretty close calls with a big 15 foot retic that would have been severely worse had it not been for my spotter. Always use the buddy system. If it gets too rough even with a buddy sometimes we will let the snake go close off the room and go get reinforcements.

Ski
 
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, just because the animal has a past history of being safe, there is possibility for it to make unexpected actions. For me, most snakes above 6 feet which are large bodied, I would prefer someone in the same room. I'd probably be fairly in control of removing a snake of 6 feet (and maybe a bit larger) off me, but I'd hate to get tooth snagged plus restricted.

If for some reason I'm in a situation where there is any reasonable possibility of it coming to me or the snake, the snake goes.

I don't mean to be a downer, I fight for right to keep these animals, but you have to be prepared for any possible outcome. Keep a defensive object in the vicinity.
 
Definitely dicey to handle a really big constrictor without anyone else nearby. What makes it tricky to unwind by yourself is it's usually easier to unwind the snake tail-first, but if you're alone and being constricted you need to control that head.

Almost every herp I've kept had its "bad days" where it would be unusually willing to bite...a herp that's calm 99% of the time can easily decide to tag you.
 
i do agree with the buddy system. the defensive object i don't. every snake has its bad days of course don't we all. you really need to pay attention to every little movement these large guys do. 99.9% of the time you'll know before something happens.
 
have you ever had a snake of at least 8 feet grab you?
 
No, but as I said before, it doesn't mean it won't happen.

I've never fallen down stairs before, but I could. At least with the snake, I'd have some preparation.

I don't think it's a big deal to have very simple precautions taken.
 
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