I was tempted to take advantage of the snake's inopportune situation by picking it up and moving it out of the area. I chickened out because I thought it may be possible for the snake to spit out its prey and still pose a threat ... seems doubtful, but does anyone know for sure?
2006-07-08 12:50:55 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
this is probably the only safe time to actually handel this type of snake but they do have the potential to reguritate then strike. even though most venom was used to ubdue the lizard. venemous snake actually will dry bite; that is they bite but don't inject, this is a safty measure to conserve venom. my recommendation would always be to handle any venemous snake with tongs or a rudimentary stick. forget steve irwin. be careful, not stupid.
2006-07-08 14:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by the shug 3 · 14⤊ 1⤋
Killing the snake should not be a option unless there is no other way around it. I would not advice moving the snake even if it was eating if prey was small enough it could easly spit it back out , All snakes are very aggresive when eating. Rememebr humans moved in on there space so dont blame the snake for being in driveway. If this happens again dont approach the snake or kill it just simply call your local animal control office and have them come deal with it
2006-07-09 11:18:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
excuse me please, but why were you worried about how to humanly pick up a poisonous snake and letting it go?
do you not know that copperheads are very sneaky, they blend in with the dirt and area, next time you might be the lizard he was swallowing, but instead of swallowing, you would get a vicious
bite and would suffer extreme consequences, especially if you have children you will now have to be VERY ATTENTIVE TO YOUR CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE OUTSIDE PLAYING. Where there is one snake there is always another. Why endanger your life this way. Kill the thing. No I am not a snake lover, I know the difference between stupid and being safe. I have a house in the woods and know all about these sneaky vicious critters. I pity the poor lizard it had for lunch. Also, when it gets dry and no rain for a while this snake you had pity on, will come to your yard or get in your house looking for water. Good luck.
2006-07-08 20:13:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What we commonly call rocksnakes can be mistaken for copperheads. If in fact it was a copperhead it is a good time to separate it's head from its body. Copperheads are one of the 4 poisonous snakes in North America. It hides in cool dark places. It can inflict a serious bite on young children and small animals. Farmers as a rule will eliminate them to eliminate the risk of being bitten later. If however killing it is against your nature cover it with a bucket and contact animal control. They will either distroy it or send it to a zoo or other retile facility. Hope this helps. Remember small snakes sometimes inject more poison then their larger relatives. This is because the younger snake may hold on longer before it releases. Snakes teeth used loosely are all pointed towards its throat to grip its meal as it dislocates its jaw to widen the opening to it's stomach. It may take several hours for this process to be complete. When the meal is completely swallowed, the jaw is again put back into place.
2006-07-08 20:06:38 · answer #4 · answered by john7 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you disturb a snake while its eating or digesting its food, its very likely that it will regurgitate the food. But there is no recorded case of a death from a copperhead bite. But never pick up and move a reptile that it venomous without having prior experience in handling them. Incidentally, the copperhead is one of the most beautiful snakes in the world. Signed, Eddy G., the amateur herpetologist.
2006-07-08 20:00:50 · answer #5 · answered by Diva d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it was smart to leave it alone. They can spit out prey items, and although they are not usually very fast at it, if the lizard was small, well, it would have been dangerous. Most people are bit while trying to play with, remove or kill snakes.
2006-07-08 20:57:19 · answer #6 · answered by jenn_a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Snakes are most vulnerable when feeding. He's perfectly harmless if trying to ingest something. I'm glad you were opting for the removal rather than automatic butchering like so many people.
2006-07-08 19:53:53 · answer #7 · answered by Chris H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is best to leave them alone.
and yes it could take some time, but they are able to regurgitate thier meal and possibly go on the offensive.
im not an expert in knowing how long it could take for them to regugitate the once lovely meal but i would not attempt to mess with the snake in question
2006-07-09 14:19:45 · answer #8 · answered by Jen L-Baby #1 due Nov 15, 2010 ! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll take some time to spit out, same as swallowing. pick it up by the tail, and release it gently with head on the ground.
2006-07-08 19:52:31 · answer #9 · answered by starsword666 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't know , but better safe than sorry , next time if you have a broom handy use that , or a shot gun , many children are bitten and killed by these snakes as they seem pretty and harmless due to their size
2006-07-08 19:54:02 · answer #10 · answered by leo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋