Speak Out: Where do you stand on “free handling” of venomous snakes.
This subject covers a vast area handlers, from the greatly respected Bill Haast known for his free handling to the widely denounced new wave “extreme” free handlers who pick up venomous snakes as if they were ball pythons, simply for the adrenalin rush and bragging rights. We can also incorporate the religious free handlers who take a literal view of Mark 16:18. Do you personally free handle? If so, why? And if not, why? (Note: pinning the snake’s head and holding it behind the neck will not be considered free handling for the purposes of this topic.)
173 opinions on this subject.
Enter your opinion at the bottom of this page.
[Speak Out Home Page]
MichiganHerpatiles on 2004-05-05
I do not recommend handling any venomous snake, EVER! You never know, even if they are the most tame snake you have ever had, just once they could get then whim of "Hey, I feel like whipping around and biting this dude who is holding me, without any protection on." Although, I have a fried that free handles his Yellow Eyelashes, but he has very thick gloves on and he has been tagged before, but I would never do it. Even the less toxic ones I would not recommend it.
twoblackbelts on 2004-05-04
Mark 16:18 LITERALLY means that if a disciple of Christ is in the center of God's will being a minister/evangelist and gets BITTEN he will not die. It has nothing to do with dancing around with a snake...geeeezzz...
twoblackbelts on 2004-05-04
I believe (an unsubtantiated opinion) that the popularity of Steve Irwin and his garish freehandling escapades are going to (and have) produce a sharp increase in venomous snakebite. It grieves me to see the informed and experienced show the world "how to" without stressing the necessary background. O'Shea always handles his serpents splendidly....with the exception of a Stiletto snake...
Peter on 2004-04-24
I'd like to think of it as evolution in action but unfortunatly we all get painted by the same brush whenever some cobra cowboy gets bit. It is stupid, dangerous, irresponsible and in my opinion disrespectful of the animals involved
Anonymous on 2004-04-11
Free handling venomous requires LOTS of expierience. Yes it is VERY VERY true that using the "grab behind the head method" is very painfull and stressfull to the snake. It can also cause damage to the snake if squeezed to tightly. I find from tons of past expierience that if one must free handle a venomous snake that person should only "tale" it and then use a hook to support the rest of its body. So basically if you are an actuall dedicated herper you should know that any stress brought to ANY snake is an unsuccesfull trip.
By: Bryan Hudson
rattlesnakeboy on 2004-04-10
Well ,I personally think,it depends on state laws and your own experience in snake handling.I myself love the idea of
handling a snake with a hook for saftey,but mabey some day I might try free handling.And and the same time everyone should remember that, when free handling you are dealing with a venomous snake that deserves respect.
Anonymous on 2004-03-26
Anonymous on 2004-03-26
ladyv on 2004-03-23
Well, I live on a big Ranch in West Texas so the supply of Rattlers are non-stop. We had a friend out here not to long ago and he is a snake handler. I never have had the privledge or excitement of being around an all-day rattler hunt and round up. I agree with Geronimo. To each his own. My friend is awesome at the free-handling and all, as for me I am not ready yet.I think if they know what they are doing and they want to go for it and be careful. I travel 25 miles on way, down a dirt road to get to town. I make the trip 5-8 times a day and during the spring and summer I see no less than 100 rattlers. We see them when we go arrow head hunting and in our own front yard. Just yesterday we saw a 5 and 3/4 foot one in the hay barn. I think people that live out like us need to learn to free-handle if they can. It would cut down on a lot of tension.
Snakes_Nightmare on 2004-03-21
Although i have been freehandling since i was 17(my family moved to Usa freom australia) it is dangerous and is frowned upon in many places. Since we moved here i dont seem to be intrested in it as much but i work at the zoo as a snake handler and im now 21
<--
Page 5
-->
Enter your opinion about Where do you stand on “free handling” of venomous snakes.:
The opinions expressed within VenomousReptiles.org Speak Out are those of the
contributor, and not necessarily that of VenomousReptiles.org. VenomousReptiles.org
simply provides a forum for people to express their opinions on
various venomous reptiles subjects of interest.
Do you have an idea for a Speak Out topic?
Email our Speak Out Manager
with your ideas.
|
