Big snakes...Who can and who can't handle them?

[JuliusSqueezer]

I'm going to start this one off with a bang. Size does not matter...much.

While it is true that it requires some physical strength to handle a big snake (By big, I mean adult large pythons and anacondas), if that's all you got, you are in for some bad days

Let's look at a couple of small people on this site. BWSmith as we all know is not known for size and strength but he knows snakes. He knows their habits. He knows HOW to handle them. I wouldn't be the least bit concerned with him dragging around a 20 footer even with a bad attitude. He knows enough about the snake he's handling and his own limitations, how to read the snake and anticipate it's next move if any, has proper tools, knows how to use them and knows when he needs help before stepping into the hotspot.

Louise may be every bit as strong as BW...probably not but let's say she is just for the argument. Louise's lack of phyisical size and strength though would be a bad mix with a large snake because of lack of understanding of how they can be at times..not knowing when it's ok to be in the line of fire and when it's not. and she's too trusting of her animals. For many reasons other than just her size, I don't feel comfortable handling something that could overpower her. Maybe one day that will change so for now we just tell her she's too little ...don't get me wrong, she is too little but there are other factors there as well.

You can't tell anyone about these things anymore than telling them how to handle a venomous snake. It takes supervised experience. There are too many things you have to feel and see in person to fully understand. The reason it doesn't matter who's stronger really is because there isn't a man on the planet that's strong enough to fight off a full on feeding response/coil and wrap from a giant anaconda or python by himself if he lets the snake get the better of him...so this particular issue is what is making me write this post to address. Being a big strong guy does not automatically qualify you to handle a big snake. If you think it is, there's a decent chance that you will die young. I think you need at least a certain amount of strength to be able to lift the animal or keep control of it but you don't need to be strong enough to get away from a feeding response constriction situation...because nobody is that strong. You need knowledge and experience...wisdom if you will... to know how to AVOID these situations regardless of how big you are.

So the real question isn't am I big enough or strong enough but am I at least reasonably strong enough and more importantly am I educated and experienced enough. It may sound mean and harsh or whatever to tell someone they aren't yet...because too many people think you are calling them dumb but would you rather have your little feelers hurt and your pride smacked around a bit or have the life squeezed out of you by your beloved pet that you thought you could outmuscle so didn't bother to learn to properly handle?

[louise]

Louise may be every bit as strong as BW...probably not but let's say she is just for the argument. Louise's lack of phyisical size and strength though would be a bad mix with a large snake because of lack of understanding of how they can be at times..not knowing when it's ok to be in the line of fire and when it's not. and she's too trusting of her animals. For many reasons other than just her size, I don't feel comfortable handling something that could overpower her. Maybe one day that will change so for now we just tell her she's too little ...don't get me wrong, she is too little but there are other factors there as well.

and the sad part is i know you are right. why do you think i dont own a burm? but like you said...someday. i am 99.99999999 percent trusting of chance but my guyana goes nowhere near my face. i cannot have a burm because if it poo'd or needed help i wouldn't wait for help to arrive. i would dive right in. i know this and this is what stops me. another thing that reallystops me is if i became a statistic it makes it bad on responsible burm owners.

It takes supervised experience.

and when i move to GA i am counting on you to teach me that!

[VoodooChile]

And THAT my friends is why I wont be keeping the Retic for myself, as much as I might be tempted..

[Leatherface]

Brett,
I am pretty sure I am "feeling" what you are saying...

being a "strong guy" isnt enough...knowledge is the key correct??

What do you consider to be the "cutoff" to large snake?? 6-7ft is a big snake to me, but I do know that to most on the boards a 7ft snake is just a baby...power wise, when do you really need to start having someone help you with feeding and handling?? I am pretty sure I read it somewhere that 8ft is the largest you should feed alone...what are your thoughts?

just a thought..

I have handled a full grown burmese under controlled conditions and I would pretty much bet that I will never own one...Do I fear them?? No, but I do respect there power..

Good post bro!

[Grim91Z]

I was planning on getting a retic but I don't know anymore.

[VoodooChile]

At 40inches a Retic is still a LOT of snake..especially when it is not a HAPPY snake

I have an "adoption pending" retic right now, and it was pretty irate the first couple of days, now it lets me hold it, but I know better than to get near its tail!!!!!!
I wouldnt want to see a full grown adult retic have a bad moment..It would not be a good thing!

[louise]

i was just getting ready for work and i was thinking about the whole burm thing. i really dont need my own burm if i move to GA. you promised to share max with me and reallywhat burm am i gonna find to fill maxs shoes (so to speak) i can buy him a wagon like chances (well with max maybe a wheel barrel) i can get him own pool and spoil him just like chance. i will be in no danger and max will be in no danger. well i might be in some danger with brett if i turn max into a sissy like chance, but i know i can out run brett

[Finghin]

One of the reasons I got a hog island boa instead of a red-tail is because I wasn't sure I could handle one. I know that I don't know how they 'work' or how they move and think. I'm already a lot better with handling him, but I highly doubt i'll ever be able to "handle" a burm.
Dogs i can handle. I understand their body postures and can anticipate what they'll do, I know how to safely pull apart two fighting dogs or how to keep dog from biting me. If I saw two baby snakes attacking each other I'd probably freak out and accidently hurt one. I'd take a huge angry snarling dog over a full grown burm any day.

	Hog Island Boa hogg