I am a sucker who can not say No to an animal in need.

He is a temporary resident until his owner buys a house.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...db_in_shed.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ad_in_shed.jpg

Western diamondback rattlesnake.

Aww, I couldn't turn down that face either! :D

bcr229 and Boger,

You are both way braver than I am. Cute yes. Danger noodle? Yes!

To quote Monty Python, “Run away! Run away!”

Seriously, not my kind of noodle, but way to go bcr229 for helping with him. Not many could or would.

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Originally Posted by dakski

bcr229 and Boger,

You are both way braver than I am. Cute yes. Danger noodle? Yes!

To quote Monty Python, “Run away! Run away!”

Seriously, not my kind of noodle, but way to go bcr229 for helping with him. Not many could or would.

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My "problem" is that I'm way too comfortable with rattlesnakes, after living with them for so many years.

And btw, that's how I got into rattlesnakes too..."couldn't say no"! :rofl:

This is the first one we've kept, but we've actually been removing wild natives safely from people's homes or businesses and transporting them to more appropriate and safe locations for a few years now. So, we already had the equipment available to handle it safely.

Definitely a no-touch noodle though.

But they make great burglar alarms...:cool: I was pretty sure this isn't your "first rodeo"- thanks for all that you do. :gj:

I think if I had the expertise for a hot, I'd have a hard time saying no too because so few people are in a position to do that. What a gorgeous boy. Glad he is in good hands and hopefully his owner doesn't take forever, it's tough out there right now.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

But they make great burglar alarms...:cool: I was pretty sure this isn't your "first rodeo"- thanks for all that you do. :gj:

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Actually this one is totally quiet but he's been in shed since we got him so he's been hiding in a quiet corner of the enclosure. We'll see how "buzzy" he gets afterward when he's feeling more lively.

Mucho Caliente! Why are the most dangerous things in life often the most beautiful too? 😍

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Actually this one is totally quiet but he's been in shed since we got him so he's been hiding in a quiet corner of the enclosure. We'll see how "buzzy" he gets afterward when he's feeling more lively.

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If he's been a long-term captive, he's used to human room-mates & no longer feels so threatened. But being in an unfamiliar home, you may get more of a rise out of him for a while once he sheds, I agree. Most of the ones I kept (with very few exceptions) mellowed out- that's why I said they made "good burglar alarms" ;) because it was things (people) out of the ordinary that they rattled at.
But either way, I'll enjoy your updates...

He's actually CBB not WC or LTC, which would explain the mellowness in part. He's still a buzznoodle and not to be trusted.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

He's actually CBB not WC or LTC, which would explain the mellowness in part. He's still a buzznoodle and not to be trusted.

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I had a CBB Western diamondback too, & she was one of my most consistently "squirrelly" (ie. ready to bite!) rattlesnakes, & never to be trusted, so there's a lot to be said for genetics. ;)

Some learn, adapt & retain more "calm" than others- each is always an individual- best to keep a healthy respect for them. :snake2:

Very beautiful animal but I will just go head and head out now....


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Originally Posted by Kam

Very beautiful animal but I will just go head and head out now....


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Very wise...these things "grow on ya". ;) But it's better to have pets you can hold.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Very wise...these things "grow on ya". ;) But it's better to have pets you can hold.

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It will never get fed or cleaned. I am scurred.


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Originally Posted by Kam

It will never get fed or cleaned. I am scurred.


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That's okay-there's nothing wrong with staying in your own "comfort zone". Some of the ones I ended up taking in came from people who never cleaned their cages either, so you have company on that score; I knew because they really stunk- until I gave them a bath, anyway. I had to figure out a safe way to do that- venom changes everything. ;)

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Originally Posted by Kam

It will never get fed or cleaned. I am scurred.

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He (or she) will be fed, cleaned, and cared for properly, but not free-handled.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

He (or she) will be fed, cleaned, and cared for properly, but not free-handled.

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You don't strike me as someone with a death wish...

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's okay-there's nothing wrong with staying in your own "comfort zone". Some of the ones I ended up taking in came from people who never cleaned their cages either, so you have company on that score; I knew because they really stunk- until I gave them a bath, anyway. I had to figure out a safe way to do that- venom changes everything. ;)

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If you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up bathing the danger noodle.


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Originally Posted by bcr229

He's actually CBB not WC or LTC, which would explain the mellowness in part. He's still a buzznoodle and not to be trusted.

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I think you hit on what scares me about Danger Noodles. You only have to let your guard down, or make a mistake, once. Many, many, other reptiles, you have some leeway, if not a lot of leeway, RE bites, etc.

I am more careful feeding my Boas than my corn snakes, let's put it that way. Combination of "know your animal" and "that wouldn't hurt anyway."

Same with the hook training. Boas and Carpet Python - every time, period. Corns and BP, eh. Read the snake (with BP), and don't worry (corns). It's not that I am afraid of Behira (BI), for example, but I understand instinct is huge with snakes, so I am consistent and careful, that's all. I respect them.

Too often people get comfortable with things and let their guard down. OR, the old, "this one time it will be okay."

Things where this one time will be okay theory can backfire greatly, in no particular order, and not complete.

1. Hots and other dangerous reptiles or animals.

2. Texting while driving

3. "It's not loaded, I am pretty sure." Guns are always loaded and always need to be treated as such.

4. "No need to point away from harms way, I am already pretty sure it's not loaded." See above.

5. With COVID now; I don't need to wear a mask this time.

6. I won't use a protection this one time, what could happen? "What, I am a father now?" or "You are pregnant with what?" or "Why does that hurt now?"

7. Drinking and driving

Enjoy your buzznoodle, but keep your guard up bcr229!

Good point! Complacency will get you hurt or killed. I know plenty of people who were complacent about their horses who ended up in the ER.

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Originally Posted by Kam

If you don’t mind me asking, how did you end up bathing the danger noodle.


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I don't mind you asking- in fact, I'm happy to share that. I'm sure you've heard of using "shift cages" as they do in zoos? It's ALL about "planning" with hots. That's why I'd personally take on rattlesnakes long before (as in "never"!) a large-giant snake- because I can think creatively & plan but I can't get any bigger nor much stronger, lol. ;)

This was my home-made version: I made several sizes (some smaller ones) so I'll only describe here the largest one for the biggest rattlesnakes.

I used custom lengths of black PVC drain pipe from the local Home Depot- the large one is about 3' long, diameter is about 8". To that, I bolted on a handle on one side. On one end, I bolted on a drain cover (they sell them to fit exactly)- and for the other end, I installed a handle on another drain cover, so my fingers were NEVER near the drain holes* (!) & so I could use my 24" hemostats to put it on or take it off.

*Remember that rattlesnake fangs swing out with a stabbing motion- they don't have to get their mouth around something to bite, as some snakes need to do. ;) For this reason, I also installed "fang guards" (cages made of perforated metal) over the vents on the Neodesha cages that I used when I took rattlesnakes for programs...even though I know better than to rest my hands on a screen (below which is a rattlesnake) when you're in a room full of curious people, you never know what they might do. You really have to plan ahead for everyone's safety.

Anyway, when this "tube" is lowered into a snake's tank, most see it as a dark safe cave in which to hide, so they generally go in on their own. If not, they can be encouraged using a snake hook. This was not only useful for cleaning hot snakes, but I even used it to get a stubborn opossum out of my garage one summer night a couple years ago. Once the animal is inside, the open end is capped (& can be latched on or taped on for security with hots), then when you want to remove them, they are easily slid back out.

Because of the drain holes at both ends, I realized it was perfect for bathing the snakes that came to me wearing the stink of their filthy former cages: All I had to do was run a bath in my bathtub of lukewarm water, at a depth about halfway up on the tube with the snake inside, & then using the handle, I'd swish the tube back & forth to promote the water flowing through. The snakes actually seemed to like it- they were pretty quiet & relaxed, & when they came out, maybe it's my imagination, but they had the look of wonder & a better mood with the stink now gone. :) See? :snake:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I don't mind you asking- in fact, I'm happy to share that. I'm sure you've heard of using "shift cages" as they do in zoos? It's ALL about "planning" with hots. That's why I'd personally take on rattlesnakes long before (as in "never"!) a large-giant snake- because I can think creatively & plan but I can't get any bigger nor much stronger, lol. ;)

This was my home-made version: I made several sizes (some smaller ones) so I'll only describe here the largest one for the biggest rattlesnakes.

I used custom lengths of black PVC drain pipe from the local Home Depot- the large one is about 3' long, diameter is about 8". To that, I bolted on a handle on one side. On one end, I bolted on a drain cover (they sell them to fit exactly)- and for the other end, I installed a handle on another drain cover, so my fingers were NEVER near the drain holes* (!) & so I could use my 24" hemostats to put it on or take it off.

*Remember that rattlesnake fangs swing out with a stabbing motion- they don't have to get their mouth around something to bite, as some snakes need to do. ;) For this reason, I also installed "fang guards" (cages made of perforated metal) over the vents on the Neodesha cages that I used when I took rattlesnakes for programs...even though I know better than to rest my hands on a screen (below which is a rattlesnake) when you're in a room full of curious people, you never know what they might do. You really have to plan ahead for everyone's safety.

Anyway, when this "tube" is lowered into a snake's tank, most see it as a dark safe cave in which to hide, so they generally go in on their own. If not, they can be encouraged using a snake hook. This was not only useful for cleaning hot snakes, but I even used it to get a stubborn opossum out of my garage one summer night a couple years ago. Once the animal is inside, the open end is capped (& can be latched on or taped on for security with hots), then when you want to remove them, they are easily slid back out.

Because of the drain holes at both ends, I realized it was perfect for bathing the snakes that came to me wearing the stink of their filthy former cages: All I had to do was run a bath in my bathtub of lukewarm water, at a depth about halfway up on the tube with the snake inside, & then using the handle, I'd swish the tube back & forth to promote the water flowing through. The snakes actually seemed to like it- they were pretty quiet & relaxed, & when they came out, maybe it's my imagination, but they had the look of wonder & a better mood with the stink now gone. :) See? :snake:

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Wow! I would feel better too if had been part of a spa day.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I don't mind you asking- in fact, I'm happy to share that. I'm sure you've heard of using "shift cages" as they do in zoos? It's ALL about "planning" with hots. That's why I'd personally take on rattlesnakes long before (as in "never"!) a large-giant snake- because I can think creatively & plan but I can't get any bigger nor much stronger, lol. ;)

This was my home-made version: I made several sizes (some smaller ones) so I'll only describe here the largest one for the biggest rattlesnakes.

I used custom lengths of black PVC drain pipe from the local Home Depot- the large one is about 3' long, diameter is about 8". To that, I bolted on a handle on one side. On one end, I bolted on a drain cover (they sell them to fit exactly)- and for the other end, I installed a handle on another drain cover, so my fingers were NEVER near the drain holes* (!) & so I could use my 24" hemostats to put it on or take it off.

*Remember that rattlesnake fangs swing out with a stabbing motion- they don't have to get their mouth around something to bite, as some snakes need to do. ;) For this reason, I also installed "fang guards" (cages made of perforated metal) over the vents on the Neodesha cages that I used when I took rattlesnakes for programs...even though I know better than to rest my hands on a screen (below which is a rattlesnake) when you're in a room full of curious people, you never know what they might do. You really have to plan ahead for everyone's safety.

Anyway, when this "tube" is lowered into a snake's tank, most see it as a dark safe cave in which to hide, so they generally go in on their own. If not, they can be encouraged using a snake hook. This was not only useful for cleaning hot snakes, but I even used it to get a stubborn opossum out of my garage one summer night a couple years ago. Once the animal is inside, the open end is capped (& can be latched on or taped on for security with hots), then when you want to remove them, they are easily slid back out.

Because of the drain holes at both ends, I realized it was perfect for bathing the snakes that came to me wearing the stink of their filthy former cages: All I had to do was run a bath in my bathtub of lukewarm water, at a depth about halfway up on the tube with the snake inside, & then using the handle, I'd swish the tube back & forth to promote the water flowing through. The snakes actually seemed to like it- they were pretty quiet & relaxed, & when they came out, maybe it's my imagination, but they had the look of wonder & a better mood with the stink now gone. :) See? :snake:

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That's incredibly genius. I've seen some really creative stuff used for dealing with tarantulas but most the people I've seen handle snakes don't have a whole lot of gear. Hooks, tongs, tubes (very simple ones) trash cans, and those grabby hook-like things, that's about it. Even so, I'm going to steer clear. I am just way to spacey in my older age lmao.

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

That's incredibly genius. I've seen some really creative stuff used for dealing with tarantulas but most the people I've seen handle snakes don't have a whole lot of gear. Hooks, tongs, tubes (very simple ones) trash cans, and those grabby hook-like things, that's about it. Even so, I'm going to steer clear. I am just way to spacey in my older age lmao.

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Thanks! I was never formally trained with venomous snakes, but I have common sense & enough of a medical background to have a huge respect for my health. Many years ago, I considered zoo-keeping & even volunteered some time at the National Zoo in D.C. (that wasn't with snakes, btw)- but while I take the care of animals seriously, I went with more practical employment over the years, then accidentally got into snakes, which became a surprise passion.

To work safely with hots, you need to know & assess yourself with honesty- you mentioned being "spacey", but also you just never work with hots if you're overly tired, feeling unwell, distracted (by others or by whatever), and NEVER when "under the influence" of any drugs (legal or otherwise) or alcohol. It's common sense, really, but you need to be focused, & you need to be able to foresee what your actions will result in. Patience doesn't hurt either. I'm the opposite of an "adrenaline junkie"- I don't even like freeways, lol. And the only time I'd ever lift a rattlesnake with a snake hook was outside, when re-locating one- NEVER in my house. I didn't need a rattlesnake getting loose & heading under my couch, lol.

Venomous or not, my snakes have always been housed throughout my home, not locked away in a "snake room", & I'm sure that's why even the ones that were not to be handled became calmer in my presence...they got used to me being around- no threat, & used to me bringing food. I prefer to see what's going on with my snakes as much as possible. No venomous bites ever, btw. ;) No thanks! And btw, much as I like rattlesnakes, I no longer keep any.