How many of you follow the 6 foot rule

[LukaTisus]

I follow the 6 foot rule in that someone else is in the house within shouting distance of me while I have my BCI out. That snake is powerful there is absolutely no doubt about it.

I trust him, he's probably the most docile large snake in my collection, the biggest sweetie... but there is one thing that I have come to understand about him, and it's the fact that he is one, thick, solid muscle and could hurt me even inadvertantly if I were careless enough to drape him over my shoulders, and he figured my neck was a good anchor to use to reach something on the roof.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[morti]

Originally Posted by RioBravoReptiles

The six-foot rule is voodoo. It even plays into the hands of those who think snakes are dangerous and evil and that people should not be allowed to keep snakes and other exotics.. There are many snakes that reach six feet in length or more, a lot of them are even native to the US.. I guess we aren't safe out-doors until these assasins are extirpated..
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But I do agree that people should do what they think is needed to feel comfortable around their animals. In the long term if a six foot snake makes you feel unsafe or unsure of yourself you should seek a smaller type of snake or another hobby.
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That's my opinion.
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When you are trying to explain to someone who doesn't know a thing about snakes why that pet burm or retic is just as safe as a kitten and should not be regulated by legislation, do you think that we should tell them "Responsible owners of large constricting snakes should follow safety precautions including having a second person on hand when dealing with larger snakes" OR should we tell them that "I feel perfectly safe with my giant snake"?

What if it is the news media we are hypothetically speaking with... just after someone has been killed by a large snake?

You may feel that it is "Voodoo" but I can tell you one thing for sure... I am not as strong as an 8' retic. If my arms are pinned, however, it is but the work of a moment for a second person to unwind me.

I know... a lot of y'all old timers feel that it is purely hogwash because you have literally kept snakes since before some of us were born... but perhaps because of this, you may forget what it is like to be new to the hobby. In today's community driven internet world, people who are new pick a role model and do what they say or do. As bad as it wierds me out sometimes, there are people who view me this way. Gus, there are people who view you this way.

So, not to put too fine a point on it, I would FAR rather think that I did everything in my power to keep safe those who seek advice from me than supply them with advice that could lead to their death.

BTW... I voted yes. There are NO large constrictors over 6' that I will handle by myself. There are colubrids over 6' that I will, but zero boids. For those who seem to have misinterpreted the concept of the Mystical 6' Rule, large non-venomous colubrids are simply not dangerous. Large boids are.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

[morti]

BTW... Some of you may recall that some topics are important and need to be kept on topic. This is one of those topics.

[Python05]

[quote=LukaTisus;543635]I follow the 6 foot rule in that someone else is in the house within shouting distance of me while I have my BCI out. That snake is powerful there is absolutely no doubt about it. QUOTE]


If your BCI raps on your neck how are you going to shout?

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[razeraze]

Originally Posted by Python05

If your BCI raps on your neck how are you going to shout?

If you can't shout kick something, hit something, make a loud noise some how, your 2nd person will come running in expecting the worse, especially if you don't answer their calls. Be sure they are aware the snake is coming out before you ever unlock the cage, then they know any loud noise could be you in trouble.

Morti I think another aspect of it is personal experience, if Charger never gave me that rude awakening I would have never thought my "tame BCI" could kill me, especially with out striking. Now I hope others learn from my experience and not the hard way. Also when my incident happened, I had no one explaining that type of situation to me, if they had I would have listened.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[BWSmith]

That is why many venomous keepers have Panic Buttons. Slap it and it sets off an alarm. I think I have a post somewhere here on an easy way to make one.

[RioBravoReptiles]

Originally Posted by morti

When you are t