|
1-10 of 16 messages
|
Page 1 of 2
Next
|
|
Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by SCatheris on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hey guys, the past couple of days has had me thinking. I've been wondering is a bite really as "inevitable" as people think it is? This is using tools and not hands, except for the occasional medical care. Soemthing makes me think that a bite may not be the guarentee I hear it to be. Just a thought. thanks
Justin
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by LarryDFishel on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
My personal belief, and what I think most people are really saying is not that it really is inevitable, but that there is always SOME chance and so you shouldn't be in it unless you decide that it's worth that risk.
If you go along thinking it CAN'T happen, you may slack off or fail to plan for that small chance.
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by Buzztail1 on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I do not believe that it is inevitable.
I also believe that you don't get a second chance to be too careful.
I have been keeping, catching, hunting and photographing venomous snakes for more than 30 years and I have not yet been bitten. I do not have any plans for that to change in the near future.
Don't forget the consequences of making a mistake with venomous snakes and that will help you keep from making the mistake.
Just my own philosophy,
Karl
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by BobH on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
It may not be "inevitable" but it is clearly a function of how many venomous snakes you keep. If someone has 1 or 2 they may be able to keep them forever without a bite. Those with 30 or 40 or 50 have a much greater risk. It's kind of like being in a car accident. If you drive enough miles you will eventually be in an accident.
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by SCatheris on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Yeah I've thought the same thing BobH. I always here there are two kinds of venomous keepers the ones who have been bit and the ones who haven't but will eventually.
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by 23bms on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
There are THREE types. The third type believes there is NO excuse for getting bitten and never have been bitten because maybe - just maybe - they are careful. 40 years keeping and counting.
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on December 10, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Justin, there are several factors working here.
Like Dr. Bob said, the more snakes you work with and the longer you work with them, the more chance of getting bitten. That is why the folks who handle and milk hundreds of snakes a week have usually had many bites. It is just a matter of statistics and sheer numbers.
Another factor is the "bravado" age that young males go through where they like to show off. Often these folks are 17 to 30 years old, and alcohol consumption is often involved. By relaxing the use of tools and correct husbandry, or by trying to show off around friends, they set themselves up for bites.
Another factor is usually an older herper who has worked with many venomous snakes for many years, and tends to get complacent. They take shortcutts and do stuff like reach into cages with their hands instead of using a hook, etc. If you do that enough times, you will eventually get nailed.
Another factor is that as herpers get more experience, they often start keeping much more dangerous snakes. They tire of the relatively slow copperheads and rattlesnakes, and start keeping faster, more exotic, and more agile snakes like cobras, mambas, and some of the very fast moving lance-head snakes. This also increases the chances of a bite.
I will have been keeping venomous snakes for 41 years next month. I have not been bitten, but have had several close calls over the years. Most of the close calls were when I broke a handling rule, and did not use the correct tools in working with a snake. I have also had instances that were un-preventable, like having unseen Rattlesnakes strike out from under rocks as I walked along a trail and strike my boots, or reaching up into a overhead rock crevice while rock climbing, and putting my hand on a unseen rattlesnake. I have also had close calls when others did things like leaving a hot snake in a bag on a car seat and not telling others it was there. I moved the bag, and was not bitten, but could have easily been.
The thing to do is try to always use tools like hooks and tongs where ever you can. And try to anticipate a snake doing something unexpected like rushing the cage door open mouthed when you open it. Try to watch out for the dumb asses who do things like leave hot snakes laying around in bags. Always have secure cages and a secure snake room. Expect the unexpected. Don`t show off with venomous snakes once you reach a comfort level working with them.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
|
| |
|
RE: Something I've been thinking about
|
Reply
|
|
by LarryDFishel on December 11, 2007
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
>>That is why the folks who handle and milk hundreds of snakes a week have usually had many bites. It is just a matter of statistics and sheer numbers.
John, this is the only thing you said that I don't entirely agree with. Certainly, if someone is milking snakes, the more they milk the more likely they are to be bitten. But I think the bigger issue there is WHAT they are doing, namely grabbing a venomous snake by the head. Since most of us should rarely, if ever be doing that regardless of how many snakes we own, we should be able to have a much better record over time...
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
