Since we are herpetologists, my wife and I often are asked to help relocate venomous snakes. Since it is accociated with our work we have learned to use snake tongs and snake hooks safely. We do this simply as favors to people who live nearby.
As herpetologists we capture snakes, identify them, examine and measure them, sex them and then let go of the individuals in a safe area away from inhabitated properties and busy roads. In order to achieve this, we need to utilize the right choice of high quality snake handling gear. We constantly bear in mind that a majority of snakebites happen when “experts”or “professionals” grow careless. We always attempt to minimize the danger to us by minimizing the actual touch time with the snake and the use of quality snake handling equipment. Working experience has proven to us the importance connected with owning the finest products available in the market for this task. A snake hook or snake tong that bends under the weight of a good sized Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is not a good tool to have in your arsenal. The equipment that we use is designed with our safety and that of the snake in mind. Our hooks and tongs are made of aircraft quality aluminum so it would take quite an ordeal to damage them.
We’ve been questioned as to what the most effective tool for relocating snakes, in particular venomous snakes would be. The straightforward reply is definately common sense! Novices should not be moving venomous snakes and if you can not tell whether it’s venomous or not, leave it alone. The very best idea is always just see the snake in its habitat and whenever you are finished, move on leaving the snake alone. In cases where a snake really should be relocated we strongly recommend a snake hook and snake tong combo. Commercially made snake hooks range all the way in length from 24 to about 50 inches long whereas commercial snake tongs range from about 24 to 60 inches in length. With tongs, shorter is better when it comes to control, but we do know that many people are generally not secure getting that close to an actual venomous snake. The longer the tong is, the tougher it is to manage. For you to remove a mature rattlesnake using a 52 or 60 inch tong, almost everyone needs to make use of a second hand around the shaft which could negate the advantages of the longer tong. Long tongs are probably better utilized for extracting snakes out from below bushes or perhaps buildings in the area. Keeping these things in mind, we suggest the use of a 40 inch snake hook and 40 inch snake tong for working with snakes. The tong needs the broadest jaw grip possible since this spreads out amount of pressure over a significantly larger surface area on the snake’s body, greatly reducing or eliminating the possibility of direct pressure between rib bones in addition to reducing the potential risk of injuries for this snake. Remember a snake in pain is a dangerous snake! The broader, more gentle jaw makes for a lot quicker gripping which usually can be a advantage capturing types of water snake or tree dwelling snakes which are notoriously quick not to mention hard to restrain.
Prior to you attempt to capture any snake be sure that you’ve have a secure container with the top off and able to receive the snake. When it comes to this function, coolers and open buckets are certainly not effective selections. We employ 5 gallon dog food buckets with screw top lids that are may be purchased for sale in a number of pet stores. My partner and I punch air holes in the lid and also attach a handle which can enable us to screw the top on firmly. Keep in mind not to put your hands close to the air holes because rattlesnakes and also other venomous snakes can strike through the holes. It only take one fang through a hole to cause serious problems.
To capture a snake, the snake should be grabbed using the tong in the first third of the entire body in back of the head. This will give control. The hook will need to then be utilized in the back half of the snake for support. If you happen to take hold of the snake in the tail half while using tong, you need to use the hook to pin the snake’s head down until you are able to adjust the tong to the correct end of the snake. Many companies now build collapsible snake hooks for convenient transport during travel or walking in the field. Do not use these hooks for pinning snakes down during capture. They’re just created for lifting and moving the snake, not pinning, therefore they can come loose along the joints if stress is put on them through the pinning procedure. This can lead to a disasterous outcome in the event the snake is aggressive or venomous. When you have the snake confined within your bucket it can be taken and let go away from homes and roadways.
Regardless if you are dealing with snakes in the field or maybe with caged individuals in your reptile room, having the proper snake handling equipment is necessary for you and also the snake. Be smart and practical. Spend a bit more for a quality, dependable product. After all, When Safety Counts-Quality Counts.
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