How to Hold a BP?

I thought snakes (heck, any animal) have to be supported along their body, i.e. not just holding it like a handle as that would put too much pressure on that one particular spot, not balancing out the weight. So, thought I'd better ask what's the proper way to hold a snake. And what about by the tail?

I've seen people in videos holding venomous snakes by the tail, to try to keep away from the "business" end, I guess. When I pick up my bps I try to evenly distribute the weight if possible, using both hands. They stay nice and calm because they can feel something under them instead of just dangling.

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Originally Posted by GoFride08

I've seen people in videos holding venomous snakes by the tail, to try to keep away from the "business" end, I guess. When I pick up my bps I try to evenly distribute the weight if possible, using both hands. They stay nice and calm because they can feel something under them instead of just dangling.

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Yeah, my bp likes to wrap around my wrist and hands like a bracelet. They like to be supported.

I normally stick my hand, lift the hide up, put it to the side, I slide my fingers under my snake(which she is usually curled up) and she'll start to wrap around my hands and wrist and i'll hold her center and take her out. Other snakes like my rufous, i'll stick my hand in the tank and pet him and he will slither up my hand and I take him out like that.

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Originally Posted by GoFride08

I've seen people in videos holding venomous snakes by the tail, to try to keep away from the "business" end

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Yes, that's understandable. I meant holding a big BP by the tail. There's a picture of that over in BP Pics, a pewter. Is that really OK to do? :confused:

My snake dangles herself quite often. Seems like she's an arboreal snake.. Kinda weird if you ask me. She'll wrap around my wrist once and dangle the rest of her body like she's waiting to snatch a bird out of the air.

But my python seems to be the exception to most rules about balls.
She has never refused a meal, eats during shed and all that good stuff.
I consider myself very lucky to have such a cool snake.

I really think it depends on the size, strength and "active-ness" (is that a word?) of the snake. Mona is my biggest BP, and she's also quite strong and active - so usually I have one hand near her head, and another around her bottom half. I'm not squeezing or grabbing, btw, just providing enough support to keep her stable. And when I'm walking around with her, I like to fling her over my shoulder like a purse... she seems to like that position too, and it keeps her from choking me! Now with my little BPs, I can hold them with one hand, typically wrapped around either my wrist or shoulder/neck. They just like to feel secure, especially when they're up high, so that's probably the most important thing to remember.

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Originally Posted by Patricia

Yes, that's understandable. I meant holding a big BP by the tail. There's a picture of that over in BP Pics, a pewter. Is that really OK to do? :confused:

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I think it's okay for a brief moment, but probably not for too long... they won't lose a tail like lizards do, although I imagine it's not the most comfortable way for them to be held.