I was just posting this because I was going to have like a page for everyone elses catches or something like that, click here for more info:

http://stephensonweb.com/john/help.htm

I was looking through your site, and there are a lot of beautiful snakes pictured there...I was wondering though...isn't it potentially harmful to a snake to hold it by the tip of its tail like I saw done in several pictures? I would think that would put a lot of stress on a snake's spine, especially if it's a large snake...

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~Juliane~

I was always told that you have to support a snake properly. They should be handled with care!

Steve

Nice site, and neat photographs. If I find my CD with field catches I will send you some.

As alittle side note:Many of times I have seen people hold snakes by the tip of there tail and the snakes 'twist' there tail off. Expecially since species of nerodia are jumpy when caught and like to twist ....this I have have seen has happend primarily with them. If you are afraid the snake will bite you you should not be picking them up to begin with and any kind of 'tail wrangling' should be avoided at all times.

Or just be smart and use a snake hook

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~Jason Richardson

we usually just hold them by the tail when we are at first pulling them out of a hole or something but we pin their heads donw right away after that and then hold them behind the jaw and somewhere on the body. some of the little ones we have held by the tails but many photos on the site are when we have just caught them, now we just leave them on the ground now and take photos there, i think the pictures turn out better with a little scenery instead of the snake and one of my arms.

You pin non-venomous snakes?

Some people are just scared of getting tagged...even if it is by a non-ven.

If you are timid enough to have to pin non-ven, then you really need to be using a hook and tongs so that you don't inadvertently hurt the snake.

As for using the tail to pull a snake out of a hole, that is like someone grabbing your leg and pulling you out of bed. Even though you aren't holding them very long by the tail, you are still just as likely to crush the small vertebrae in the tail and cause permanent damage to the snake.

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Paul

Everything is do-able in life, you just need to know how to do them to get them done.

PCar's Reptiles

Pinning no matter who the individual is is dangerous not only to the handler but most importantly the snakes itself. There is no one on this planet that can pin a snake 100% safely. There is always that chance of pushing to hard and injuring the snake being how delicate snakes vertebra is. Even an acute injury can prove fatal later down the line . Why put a non-venomous snake through this risk when is is absolutely not necessary? That is what I should have asked. If someone is afraid of getting tagged by a none venomous snake either use a hook, tongs like mentioned or not mess with the animal at all......that simple.

I see my previous post on this subject was removed. Im sorry if I was a little harsh, but snake abuse really bothers me.

Just get some gloves. Sure a big nerodia bite hurts a little, but its the musk that I try to avoid. If I could only get bit by big Nerodias, I would never wear gloves- its the cloacal fluid.

With a little care, even a big Nerodia will calm down.