#reptile handling

[kaijutegu]

Proper Snake Hook Use

One of my biggest problems with reptile handling on social media is the improper use of snake hooks. We see this a lot from big names in the reptile community, and far and away the worst is Jay Brewer of The Reptile Zoo/Prehistoric Pets. A while ago, I commented on his inappropriate use of a snake hook to agitate and improperly handle a large snake, and ever since I have been looking for images that show the proper handling of a dangerous snake.

Today I saw a really good example of appropriate snake hook use from The Kentucky Reptile Zoo. KRZ is... I think it’s fair to say the most important venom facility in the United States. They actually aren’t really a zoo- the vast majority of their animals are not on display or publicly viewable, and their primary mission isn’t education or conservation. It’s venom production.

They keep lots of venomous species and regularly milk them for pharmaceuticals and research. Venom from their facility is used to make antivenom, as well as life-saving heart and anti-cancer medications. In other words, this facility bothers its snakes for a reason, and it’s not for social media views. (I like their content and find it highly educational.)

So today, I thought I’d break down why I like this video and show off how it features the safe use of a snake hook to control a dangerous animal and keep a handling situation completely under control.

The video features a small bushmaster, a South American pit viper. At the start of the video, the animal is out and quite calm.

The handler makes an initial first pass with the hook, lift the snake’s head off its body and isolating it. Notice that the snake’s body language doesn’t change much; there’s a little tension but no noticeable distress.

The snake slips away from the hook.

The handler repositions and gently pins the snake’s head against the ground.

While the snake’s head is under control, the handler firmly grips the snake behind the head...

...supports the body with his hand (not the hook)...

...and prepares the snake for venom extraction. The hook is on the floor at this point, as it’s no longer needed for the safe handling of this snake.

Here are some key takeaways:

The hook was never used as the sole source of support for the snake’s body

The hook was never used to agitate the animal

The hook was used to control the head without applying too much pressure

The snake’s body language was observed and respected; when it initially pulled away from the hook’s pass, the handler repositioned and tried again

Even during venom extraction, the snake was not particularly agitated; part of this comes from the firm, secure, but not too strong grip that is used, and part of it comes from the snake being used to this behavior. The handler is doing everything he can to keep the snake calm and to support its body during handling.

Ultimately, I think this is a perfectly ethical piece of venomous/dangerous snake handling content. It shows an animal that is being treated well and handled appropriately. The handlers are trained professionals who are well-versed in venomous snake safety, and at no point is the animal provoked or aggravated for attention. While venom extraction doesn’t hurt the snake, it can still be stressful- and it’s up to the handler to do everything they can to ensure that the snake is safe.

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

Are there any reptiles that are good with handling? I tend to be a very touchy feely person with my companions but I don't want to make a snake or lizard uncomfortable or in danger just because I want to hold them :<

Many common pet reptiles can be tamed to be excellent with handling! Leopard geckos, larger lizards like bearded dragons and blue-tongue skinks, and most beginner snakes like cornsnakes and kingsnakes can all be fantastic to handle.

The biggest thing you should know if you're looking to handle your pet reptile is just to do it in moderation and go at the reptile's pace! Handling won't hurt your pet or make them uncomfortable if you do it right. Don't pet or stroke them (reptiles usually just don't enjoy that), and don't handle them too often (once or twice a week is plenty to avoid stressing most reptiles). I recommend very short handling sessions for babies that can grow longer as you and your reptile grow more comfortable with each other.

[is-the-reptile-video-cute]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMYovADa1/

is this video alright? Idk if we're assigning human emotions onto the alligator

Rating: Red

It surprises me how often I get asked about videos that involve alligators as pets. I will say it once again: alligators are not good pets. Reputable zoos are the exception, because they usually have the resources and knowledge to do so properly, but this is the Reptile Zoo, which is not a good source—their husbandry is not good and they often ignore their reptiles’ body language, which is what’s happening in this video.

As I’ve said before, this is very unsafe because the alligator’s mouth is not taped. Even the smallest of alligators can do pretty bad damage if they want to, so their mouths should always be taped when interacting with humans. Also, this one is very clearly uncomfortable. Its eyes are tightly closed, it’s opening its mouth, and it’s even hissing at one point. Many people misinterpret this as relaxation for some reason, but you’re right, they are anthropomorphizing the alligator in this video. The person holding it is lucky he didn’t get bitten.

Honestly, if I get more asks similar to this, I may just start copying and pasting my response to why situations like these are unsafe, because there are apparently a LOT of videos like this.

Thanks for the ask!

[howdoesone]

How does one persuade a Gharial to try a vegetarian diet with that snout?

  Introduction to the Gharial The gharial, also known as Gavialis gangeticus, is one of the most distinctive and ancient crocodilian species, known for its long, narrow snout filled with sharp, interlocking teeth. Native to the rivers of the Indian subcontinent, this unique reptile has evolved to be an efficient piscivore, primarily preying on fish. The idea of convincing a gharial to switch to…

[is-the-reptile-video-cute]

Rating: Red

I’ll be honest, when I made this blog I didn’t expect almost every single ask to be about pet alligators. Apparently people really love anthropomorphizing them. This is a similar situation to most of the other crocodilian posts on my blog. Alligators should not be pets and should not be free-handled. It is absolutely inappropriate and dangerous, plus it’s almost impossible to care for such a huge animal properly. Posts like these are especially bad because it’s clearly making people think crocodilians are similar to cats and can be held/pet/taken care of the same, which is very wrong. All of these clips are bad. The one where there is water being poured on the alligator’s head shows an example of tense body language. The alligator is holding itself stiffly, closing its eyes tightly, and lifting its head up to try to get air. (Why are there SO MANY clips of people pouring water on alligators’ heads?!?) The ones in a bathtub should not be together, or in a bathtub, or being held by a person, especially not without their mouths being taped. And the person holding the giant adult alligator like a baby is just so dangerous. If the alligator got too stressed or scared and freaked out, it could easily injure (or even kill) the person within a few seconds. It’s so irresponsible and bad for everyone involved to do something like that.

If you see more videos like this of anthropomorphizing alligators and making them seem like harmless pets, please let the creator know that it’s actually a really dangerous narrative to spread and that the way they are being treated is completely wrong and harmful. Leave alligators in the wild or to credible zoos that have the resources to care for them properly.

Rule?

[markscherz]

Today I got into the rainforest in Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak), and one of the first animals I found was this incredible turtle, Heosemys spinosa! What an animal!

This is how it was sitting when I found it:

What a privilege to behold such a creature!

I’m here for the tenth World Congress of Herpetology, where about 1500 herpetologists from across the world are assembling in Kuching to talk about reptile and amphibian research! Super excited for the weeks ahead!

[slinkies-and-dragons]

Cali came out for some snuggles today!

She was super spooked about movement around her at first, but chilled out after a few minutes of handling and even met a new person! After exploring my friend's hair and checking out her booty (i think she was interested in the phone in friend's back pocket), she found a nice blanket to curl up under. This is her right before we put her home!

Thanks (again) to @sandelion , we're confident she's a bumblebee morph!

[shrivingtoad]

Some more pictures of freya, because i have about 60 haha

Shes always an angel to handle, and once stayed in my hand completely content for over an hour (we were watching a movie) before i put her back 😅

[is-the-reptile-video-cute]

Rating: Yellow

I’m pretty sure those are real toads. This is not good for them because it’s unsanitary and probably quite stressful. Generally, just don’t handle wildlife without a good reason. However, assuming the toads were immediately put back and the person washed their hands afterwards, there’s not really any danger, so I’m rating this yellow. (Don’t eat that bread.)

Frog :3

[bobcat-pie]

i have finally seen Every Single Godzilla movie ever made. ask me anything

[defilerwyrm]

A thing about ratsnakes is they are masters of "I'm not going"

[affectionatecorpse]

Kelloggs had a lovely time out in the sun for half hour, and happily had a photoshoot on the cooling tarp when it got a bit too hot for him 🥺

[scary-monsters]

day 5000 of being down so bad for a bunch of lines on a screen

[saltycharacters]

Klavier Gavin owning a ball python named Spätzle he adopted after an animal themed photoshoot for a magazine send tweet

[organicmatter]

cutest creature ever

[internetdruid]

Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus)

these guys are so sweet <3