pritim82 on 2011-12-01
I was taught to wear a pair of snake boots and to
LIGHTLY step on the snake to control the movement.
Typically we step on the upper 1/3 of the body. Then
tube the snake on the outside of your boot. This works
well for most crotalus species (especially timbers.)
Some larger species like eastern Diamondbacks there
may be better ways. This may seem unconventional to
some or most, but has worked 1000s of times and
never resulted in injury to snakes or handlers if done
properly. I do not recommend this for novices or on
extremely steep terrain. WEAR SNAKEBOOTS!
FSB on 2011-11-27
I think it would help to know something about
snakes..... jeez.
Cro on 2011-11-21
Really stressing the snake out trying to tube
it in the field that way.
I assume it is for some legitimate purpose ?
Take a cardboard box into the field with you,
and cut a hole the size of the tube in the
side of the box, along the wall and against
the bottom of the box.
Then insert the tube a couple of inches into
the hole in the box, lay it all on the
ground, put snake in box steer it down along
box wall and into tube.
LarryDFishel on 2011-11-18
SOMETIMES, I've had luck laying the tube on the floor against a cage or wall (one of those boulders look like they might work) and letting the snake crawl along the edge (as they tend to do naturally) and into the tube.
BobH on 2011-11-17
I agree with Chris and Marty, this was really stressful on the snake and the collectors. Either a 5 gal bucket or probagger would have significantly reduced the handling time.
Ptk on 2011-11-17
Bag it first. I didnt catch why you were tubing it in the first place. Was it necessary? Perhaps there may be a better way to accomplish your desired result without tubing at all?
Why they dont make tubes with a hand guard I dont understand. The bucket/can does work but keep in mind your also giving them only one escape route (toward you).
Stay safe!
VIPERABERUS on 2011-11-17
I think once the animal has been wound up to
that extent you've got no chance getting it in
a tube calmly i would have bagged it and left
it to calm down 20mins or used a bucket as
agkistrodude suggests to add i would of used a
bucket with a few inches of water in this would
have forced the animal to lift its head up and
made tubing easier don't now how practical this
would have been in the field though.
Chris_Harper on 2011-11-16
Pro Bagger with a tube, or one person keeping the snake stationary with tongs, and another tubing. Being bitten is always bad, but being bitten in the field is the worst scenario.
agkistrodude on 2011-11-16
I've found it's much easier to tube them if they're inside something like a trash can or a bucket. While they're climbing up the side wall, they usually will go right in a tube. I'll admit though, I've never tried tubing a snake in the wild. I've done some freshly caught ones, but it's been inside a hot room.
The opinions expressed within VenomousReptiles.org Speak Out are those of the
contributor, and not necessarily that of VenomousReptiles.org. VenomousReptiles.org
simply provides a forum for people to express their opinions on
various venomous reptiles subjects of interest.
Do you have an idea for a Speak Out topic?
Email our Speak Out Manager
with your ideas.
