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I only use two pieces of equipment - a right-angled hook, and a pinner. This is all I need to handle all the Australian species of snake. I only pin them when I need to work up close and personal, and do not tail Death Adders.
With non-Australian species, it's the same deal, just slightly different methods. I only have varying amounts of experience with 11 exotic species (Bitis arietans arietans, B.gabonica rhinoceros, B.nasicornis, Naja kaouthia, N.mossambica, N.siamensis, Bothriechis schlegeli, Vipera latasti, Agkistrodon bilineatus and Crotalus durissus vegrandis). For the smaller, terrestrial vipers, we use two hooks. For the cobras and the three Bitis species, we tail, using hooks. The Bothriechis are usually moved around on their branches, however, if they need to be removed from them, they sit on a hook and require no hands on.
I've yet to encounter a species of snake that I thought tongs would be useful on. A late friend of mine from Sweden, who had kept many more exotic species than I have experience with, had the same point of view as me.
Jonno
Posted by
Jonno
on August 13, 2005
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handling
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To quote post of 3/31/05,
"sometimes I tail the snake with no tools - IF I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT".
Please indoctorinate me. Where is the book, the website, the published zooalogical paper, or any source of information whatsoever that will indicate to me "WHEN I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT".
In my experiance I may never get away with it, and so treat every situation as such!
I absolutly love to be hands on, but the thought-"I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT" never occured to me!
Posted by
laazrockit
on July 1, 2005
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Hands ... and sometimes hooks or tongs
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For over 30 years I've been a hands-on herper in the old-school mould. It works for me but I don't suggest it to others.
I use hooks to support the body weight of large snakes when tailed, and will also bow to using a grabstick to haul big taipans out of long grass, or out from other ground trash so they can be tailed.
As they say ... don't try this at home kiddies.
Posted by
oxyuranus
on June 10, 2005
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depends on species
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I can't say that I handle "all" my vipers, nor "all" my elapids, the same...I have an albino Naja kaouthia female that I treat differently than every other snake I own...simply because of how aggressive and intelligent she is. General rule for me is to avoid tongs all together, for all species. Not saying they don't have their use, but I've been handling hots for 25 years, and didn't have tongs when I started...it's really what you are comfortable with. If I had to generalize....vipers=hook, elapids=hook and tail for me, anyways.
Posted by
ceejman
on April 26, 2005
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Prefered method
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Where possible I will always use tong's. For smaller or young hots I use a hook. Of course it depends on what species you are working with. Most of the hots I work with are tree vipers so it is easy to use a hook and just let them wrap around it as if it was a twig. For larger vipers I use the tongs and for large elapids I use the hook and tail, but this allways has me sweating bullets as I have little experiance with elapids.
Posted by
Hyperviper
on April 22, 2005
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Depends on the type of snake, large snakes I prefer to tail (with a hook of course), smaller to medium terrestrial viperids generally only require a hook.
Posted by
psilocybe
on April 20, 2005
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tailing
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If its not a viper and its over 3.5 ft i prefer to tail, otherwise simple hooking.
Posted by
DougW
on April 19, 2005
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Wow!!! .....I guess a lot of people like to free handle their Venomous. I personally do not do it. Too close for confort. Besides with my luck, I will get bitten the first time I try. LOL I think we should use the right tool for the job. And there is no universal tool to do every task. With that said, I value my hands and fingers too much to risk them getting amputated. Luis t.
Posted by
HERPNUT
on April 17, 2005
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Preferred Method
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In my experience, I've found that the Pilston tongs seem to work the best, but if I don't have access to the Pilstons, I use a hook. Unless the snake HAS to be moved, or handled, I usually just leave it alone. I wouldnt want some creature thats bigger than me picking me up and moving me about just for 'entertainment value'.
Posted by
Lone_Star
on April 11, 2005
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Gimme hooks...
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Hooks only whenever possible.
Hook and tail with long snakes that won't stay on hooks.
Tubes whenever possible if I need access to the body for medical problems, or most access to the head.
On very rare occasions, hold behind the head for something like removing eye caps where the snake might thrash in the tube and injure himself.
Tongs are for moving water bowls.
I wouldn't trust gloves for anything venomous.
Posted by
LarryDFishel
on April 8, 2005
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Prefer
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I prefer hooks, easy to use on my small European vipers.
Posted by
MiqeMorbid
on April 6, 2005
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using hooks
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I always use hooks when working with my rattlesnakes and other pit vipers. Sometimes I will tail, but only if the snake is long enough. I repsect these animals too much to take any chances.
Posted by
emtnurse
on April 5, 2005
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handling
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I have used 36" tongs on the 1st quarter of the snake's body and a 40" carbon graphite shaft and aluminium hook to support the rest of the body if it is a large snake (rattlers here in Tucson, AZ). However, I always try to hook the snake first if possible. I also have a 26" hook for tiger rattlers and subadult rattlers. With neonatal snakes I will use any or a combination of heavy duty welding gloves, a pair of mini hooks and a set of 24" inch long tweezers from Midwest. The tongs are Whitney Tongs and the hooks are made by Furmont Reptile Hooks. I have been doing this for about 5 years. Robert Villa, Tucson
Posted by
HELERI
on April 4, 2005
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METHODS TO MY MADDNESS
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I hook and tail for the most part (I mostly work with elapids though) when I kept vipers and pit-vipers I definatly used a 2 hook method alot I reall just don't trust that viperid strike!!!!! I have seen both gabby's and jumping vipers come backwards over there bodies and if I have to get "hands on" I always use a tube for force feeding removing parasites and medicateing
PEACE
Joe Lesh
Posted by
SerpenXotics
on April 3, 2005
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best hot starter snake
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Boiga dendrophilathe mangrove snake has a prehensile tail which makes it hard to get off of hooks, shelves, and anything else it touches. Plus, its only going to put up with handling for a few seconds before it gets nervous, Its a fairly difficult snake to handle but doesn't pack a bite as serious as a copperhead usually, and teaches the handler hook agility.
Posted by
MDF
on April 1, 2005
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Handling
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Ive been a zoo professional for over 15 years and have learned that you should really only use your hands when absolutely necessary. I have met dozens of people who never thought they would "get tagged" until they ended up in the hospital requiring serum.
Posted by
MDF
on April 1, 2005
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I use a stick most of the time and tail the snake. Some times I tail the snake with no tools if I know I can get away with it. Some times I only use a hook for small gaboons and and other snakes that can show a burst of energy in a split second and strike, or young snakes that are still too small to handle safely. If they are short and stay on a hook good, there would be no reason to touch them. But if you had a 6 foot eastern diamondback you could most likely tail it safely.
Posted by
bush_viper17
on March 31, 2005
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Preferred
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Ive never used a hook in the feild. i do not beleve in using them. i just use my hands and every once in a wile a piece of sage brush. but i lerned that you have to have a lot of respect for venomous snakes. i live in Washington so all the venomous snakes we have up hear is rattle snakes.
Posted by
The_Herp_Boy
on March 30, 2005
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Prefer
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I prefer not to touch the snake at all except with a hook, but that method only works for some species. Sometimes trap boxes are necessary or tailing depending.
Posted by
Jont52
on March 29, 2005
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Preferred Method
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Techniques that work for one snake do not always work for others. Many snakes can be hooked easily. Some large, heavy bodied snakes like EDB's, Cottonmouths, and Gaboons can balance better on a hook if you support the tail by holding it. Some snakes like Lepidus, Coral Snakes, and Pygmys dont' hook well at all. JohnZ
Posted by
Cro
on March 29, 2005
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I prefer not to handle them at all. If I have to it's mostly with hooks, shift boxes and tubes.
Posted by
captiveherps
on March 29, 2005
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What I Do
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I dont use anything to help me catch a snake, but my own two hands. I'm not scared of them at all and if I do get bitten, then it will be an experience for me, I have been bitten by non-venomous snakes, but never a venomous one, I guess I am just lucky. If I do ever get into a dangerous situation with more than a few venomous snakes, then I may pull out the hook for my safety. I have done this my whole life and nothing anyone else says is going to change my mind. I know I dont hurt them, I love them to death.
Posted by
chelseynicole
on March 29, 2005
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In my hotroom I use shiftboxes more than anything to move them around,if I have to actually handle the snake I use tubes.In the field I use hooks and tongs.
Posted by
agkistrodude
on March 28, 2005
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preferred method
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Most times I am in the field(not currently keeping any hots)and my preferred method of handling is by freehand tailing... sometimes using a hook or stick to keep the snake stretched out. If I want to completely control the snake, I pin the head and pick up behind the head. I think the least stressful way to handle is to gently freehand tail without pinning or hooking. I know many will not like the fact that I free hand( and propably call me names and question my integrity...etc)but that is how I've done it for 20 yrs.
Posted by
MoccasinMan
on March 28, 2005
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