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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by LarryDFishel on November 19, 2007
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U-plex vs. Tubes:
I haven't had a need for something like a u-plex often enouh to make one yet, but I can see where one of the big advantages could be just ease of getting the snake into it. Some snakes can be very wary of tubes and I have spent 10 minutes sometimes trying to get one in (and given up once or twice).
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by Rob_Carmichael on November 19, 2007
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That's the biggest advantage of a u-plex shield/design. For fast moving elapids, it's really a necessity. I use tubes for them, too, but in all honesty, there's no room for error. Even certain crotalines don't tube well so this just makes it quick and simple which in the end reduces stress to the snake (and promotes safety for the keeper).
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by Phobos on November 19, 2007
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I still tube but it's not easy (as Larry noted) and opens you to a bite. It's not a substition for tubing but an additional tool to use.
The main point is that it makes it easier & safer to get them into a tub. Many recient bites are caused by just putting them into a container.
GV4... I was not mad in the slighest, people have no trouble telling when I'm mad or angry. Just remember when posting on any forum, have your own crap together before you try throwing some, if not you'll be called on it.
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by earthguy on November 19, 2007
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My main concern for the uplex (bearing in mind that I've never used one) would be the surface of the U that comes into contact with the snake. Is there any way to safely pad that and/or expand the surface area? I'd be concerned about sudden movements that might separate vertebra with a narrow surface area.
I've never had problems tubing, but I've only ever really worked with native vipers. I think I'll give this U-plex a shot.I have some Plexiglass in the back of my workshop. Do you have any technical manufacturing suggestions (width, radius of cut, cutting tool, finishing technique, etc.) that you could share?
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by Cro on November 19, 2007
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Al, the Uplex is an interesting idea, and I think I will give it a try with a few modifications, such as a handle in the middle of the sheet of poly, and perhaps some foam or rubber padding as Joshua suggested.
What worries me some about the radius of the cutout in the Uplex is that it is large enough for the snake to double back and get through with its head and possibly cause a bite. It should be an interesting device to test out though, and the same plexi sheet could serve a dual purpose and be used as a cage shield if equipped with a central handle. Might come in usefull for working with spitting cobras and mambas.
I still think tubing is a safer way to go for many snakes, although it has its problems also. As far as getting a snake into a tube, that can be easily sloved by cutting a tube sized hole in the side of a cardboard box, inserting the tube an inch or too, and then placing the snake into the box. Once inside the box the snake can easily be steered and coaxed into entering the tube.
One thing that can be done with tubes is to cut or drill small access holes into them, near the end where the snakes head will end up, which can be used for things like removing an eyecap on a king cobra with a pair of surgical tweezers. Just remember that a snake can hook a fang through the access holes also, and keep a safe working distance by using the appropriate tools.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by lanceheads on November 19, 2007
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I gree with John Z.on his comments, however
I think the U-Plex would damage vertebre when "squeezed" for inspection or probing.
I can guarantee you I wouldn't use the U-Plex on a fast moving elapid! You have only one chance to get an elapid into the "U"! (You saw how Al had trouble getting the Crotalus mitchelli into it).
Tubes work much better and the keeper is more in control of the snake. If you have problems getting a snake up into the tube, place the snake in a trash can and fill with about 2" of water, the snake will ALWAYS transverse upward, while you slip the tube over it. Tubes can also be capped at one in, preventing a mishap. This is only my opinion, as I have worked with venomous snakes for 42 years, 20 of them in a zoo.
Randal Berry
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by Phobos on November 20, 2007
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This has evolved in a nice discussion & exchange of ideas and information.
I also thought about putting a handle on it but that would prevent you from putting the lid on top and sliding the U-Plex out from underneath cleanly. My device with the handle is called the "Cage Shield" which is very useful keeping unrully snakes at bay.
U-plex of various sizes can be constructed, with varing sizes of cut-outs, one on each side of a large piece of Plexigas if you like.
I agree that Tubing is the prefered method if you have to work on the "pointy ends" of the beast but if it's the other end, I use the U-plex.
As for fast elapids, it works very well (done it many times) for sexing large Mamba's placed over a large garbage can. Much safer than trying to get a tube over a normally head shy Mamba.
As for injuries to the specimen. Yes, It could happen but there are many ways that specimens are injured by other handling methods, although thankfully rare.
The way I use the U=Plex 95% of the time is just getting the lid on the tub reducing the chance of being bitten in the process. I just lower the snake in and slibe the plexiglas till the top is sealed, place the tub-lid on top and slide out the Plexiglas...
Best,
Al
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by tina on November 20, 2007
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The tool seems very helpful, if used right on a right snake.
The only thing that would worry me - if I'm probing a large snake, I need to use one hand to hold the snake, the other to hold the probe. I need to pay attention to what I'm doing, so I don't injure the snake. The snake inside will obviously wriggle about and I'm clumsy enough to let the Plexiglas move sideways, if I'm holding it down with just an elbow. Even an inch would make it possible for a fast elapid to make its way out. The Uplex is not heavy. Maybe if it had some ridges to keep it in place on top of the box, or the trash can would help.
I realize, that maybe it's just me. I prefer to spend the 15 minutes to get a large elapid in a tube. I have the time and I feel safer having it completely restrained. However, with smaller snakes it seems like an excellent idea.
Thanks for sharing.
Tina
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RE: Important Safety Device for Hot Herp Keepers
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by LarryDFishel on November 24, 2007
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To probe a snake with u-plex you should really have two people, just like with a tube.
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