protection plan for larger boas, and handling them

tory · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:49 AM

So my fiance and I were just talking about how my boa is getting larger. With that said does anybody have a safety plan with their friends/family on what to do if something were to happen? Like what to do if a large Boa decides to constrict. anyone have good solution, how about alchohol has anyone ever proved that it works?

Sakara · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:57 AM

it's called the 2 person rule

Depending on your comfort level... We have an 8foot rule in our house... Any animal over 8ft we ALWAYS use at least 2 ppl with... Some others are more comfortable with a 6ft rule

Listerine or strong a strong alcoholic beverage on hand is always good! If a snake bites you and doesn't want to let go, pour it down their throat... They will typically let go immediately! Also, always remember to unwind from the tail... They are easier to peel from tail forward

and DO NOT PANIC!! it can freak you out for sure... But you have to keep your cool and be confident with what you tell someone to do in the event of a bite or wrap...

mongoose5971 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:11 PM

I always inform anyone that will be around when any of my bigger snakes is out about alcohol. Rubbing or drinking both work marvels. It's pretty simple, but it's really all you need to do. That, and be sure the second person knows that you do NOT wish for your snake to be harmed in any way, and be sure you actually have some sort of alcohol close by. Oh, and always have a second person

nitram · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:37 PM

i think there was a snakebytes episode where the alcohol thing didnt work. they proved toothpaste worked!
2 person rule is good, i think.
my largest boa is 7ft, i feel comfortable handling her alone.
its probly a good idea not to get yourself in a dumb situation by wrapping a snake around your neck. ive had my boa slithering on me and almost got me in a full nelson lol, i dunno if they can pull off that submission though.

Derekcm87 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitram

i think there was a snakebytes episode where the alcohol thing didnt work. they proved toothpaste worked!
2 person rule is good, i think.
my largest boa is 7ft, i feel comfortable handling her alone.
its probly a good idea not to get yourself in a dumb situation by wrapping a snake around your neck. ive had my boa slithering on me and almost got me in a full nelson lol, i dunno if they can pull off that submission though.

I vaguely remember seeing this, it was an older one i think, but if i remember correctly. They only put the alchohol on the hand or something to see if it would keep the snake from biting. I dont think they did it to see if it would make it release. I could be wrong. But i know i have used it one time becuase the snake was latched on for like 10-15 minutes just chewing and no signs of letting go. In no way was my life in danger, it was just a cal king but wanted to test it out. Worked like a charm in my experience.

Sakara · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 04:50 PM

boas ARE strong enough to choke you out... but the aren't nearly as strong as a Burma or retic and are fairly easily pryed off lol. I had one large boa around my shoulder once that managed to get my neck. I just grabbed her by the tail and unwrapped her. she was about 7ft and pretty strong. I did have like 4 ppl around me at the time though lol.

my little 4ft paradox boa bit and wrapped my wrist while python chic and vexaluntil were here... it hurt but didn't cause any dangerous situation. we went to the bathroom and dumped listerine in her mouth and she let go lol. so I've had good a good result with it, lol.

the other few bites I've had were either strikes and non holds or feeding response holds that let go after a few seconds when they realized I wasn't the rat LOL!

VexalUntil · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2010, 06:08 PM

I definitely agree with Sakara, the two person rule for large boids is a must!

A solution that I use that works even better than alcohol is hot water. Just jump in the shower (if it's a large snake) and turn the hot water on full blast. If it's small and wrapped around your hand, the sink works fine too. It's a nice simple trick if you find yourself in a situation where you can't get to alcohol.

DM1975 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2010, 09:58 PM

I knew their had to be a logical reason for me to build my bar right next to my snake room...

sFlsniper · #9 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakara

my little 4ft paradox boa bit and wrapped my wrist while python chic and vexaluntil were here... it hurt but didn't cause any dangerous situation. we went to the bathroom and dumped listerine in her mouth and she let go lol. so I've had good a good result with it, lol.

I can just see you guys walking into the room and you go to show them your beautiful snake!

Sakara · #10 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 02:54 AM

oh I was so mad, LOL! I got her out and was holding her and she rubbed her face against my wrist and CHOMP!!! then she wrapped!! She's not big, but when they bite and twist it hurts!!! lol... She wasn't too happy about being covered in mouth wash, LOL!

KaiYudSai · #11 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 04:02 AM

boas generally don't behave like that..... boas generally lash out and give some defensive bites.. but they dont generally reflex and wrap up humans.... Now retics are a different story..... ANd alcohol does not work.. it only makes them squeeze harder..... ANd I know this from personal experience and have the scars and suture marks to prove it....LOL

louise · #12 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiYudSai

boas generally don't behave like that..... boas generally lash out and give some defensive bites.. but they dont generally reflex and wrap up humans.... Now retics are a different story..... ANd alcohol does not work.. it only makes them squeeze harder..... ANd I know this from personal experience and have the scars and suture marks to prove it....LOL

so what do you do?

Sliding Scales · #13 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM1975

I knew their had to be a logical reason for me to build my bar right next to my snake room...

Seems like there are a lot of nasty snakes out there that are either drunk or have excellent breath.

louise · #14 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliding Scales

Seems like there are a lot of nasty snakes out there that are either drunk or have excellent breath.

KaiYudSai · #15 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louise

so what do you do?

I had to pry the jaws open with a butterknife..... and it took about 15 minutes to get a 14 foot retic off of my arm..... that's with the help of another person..... the whole time he was walking the teeth up and down the antecubital region of my arm....

I needed a vascular surgeon to repair the damage to all of the blood vessels there..... this one accident leaded to 6 hours of surgery and a 26,000 dollar medical bill..... thankfully I had school insurance.....

then I got sick from the infection.... and had to be put on IV Cipro....

But I've never had a boa bite and wrap up... they just defensively strike... I think retics are a bit stupider than boas... and have more of a primitive feeding response......

Just my opinion.....

BUt alcohol had zero effect... it burnt like though when it seeped into all the gashes in my arm

Tom · #16 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiYudSai

I think retics are a bit stupider than boas... and have more of a primitive feeding response......
Just my opinion.....

I disagree with this statement retics are very smart in my opinion. but I do agree with them having a primitive feeding response. When they are in feeding mode that is all that is on there mind.

By the way I am glad you are ok now and that sucks you had so much medical problems with your bite.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiYudSai

But I've never had a boa bite and wrap up...

I did have a boa bite me once and hold on and constrict me. It was my first boa I ever owned. It was my fault she bite me to. I didn't feed her for about 4 weeks and I had her around my neck and she just opened her mouth and bit me on the side of my neck and would not let go. Luckily she was only 4 feet long at the time. I just clammily unwrapped her from my neck and went to the bathroom so I could see what I was doing in the mirror. I then pushed her mouth into my neck so I could get her teeth out of my neck before pulling her off. I believe with the pulsating of the jugular vein and my body temp is what caused a feeding response bite. I do think she would have released me on her own if I had just sat there and waited a little.

Take care
Tom

Sakara · #17 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010, 11:55 PM

ooooooo... the neck... crap, LOL! that would suck hard core!! I got a nip on the face, but the neck would hurt! lolol

Sliding Scales · #18 (**permalink**) 07-28-2010, 03:15 AM

Ok...this will sound cruel and maybe just plain stupid...but if the snake is huge, like a retic, then what about a taser? You gotta get the thing off right. But if you did it may shock you more than the snake. In more ways than one.

louise · #19 (**permalink**) 07-28-2010, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliding Scales

Ok...this will sound cruel and maybe just plain stupid...but if the snake is huge, like a retic, then what about a taser? You gotta get the thing off right. But if you did it may shock you more than the snake. In more ways than one.

i made a thread about that and it got shot down. i forgot the reasons why people said it wouldnt work.

KaiYudSai · #20 (**permalink**) 07-28-2010, 03:19 AM

THe best way to avoid getting constricted by giant retics is to leave them in the jungle..... where they are better off...LOL

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