Is this for real??? Guy free handling King Cobras, other hots..

[Albert Clark]

There is a lot I could say in response to this post, but in going to resist. I will simply say this. Freehandling is a lifestyle choice, it can be extremely dangerous or extremely safe depending On The individual involved both human and snake. Publicity from it is highly detrimental to our keeping and thus should be kept from the public eyes the best it can. I have free handled on numerous occasions and will say the animals are in no way under greater stress. They are more relaxed when done properly.

Also, accidental releases fall under irresponsible keeping IMO.

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Guess we have to agree to disagree. Simple.

[zina10]

Free handling hots can be "extremely safe"? That there I cannot ever agree with. It is never extremely safe. Responsibly handling a loaded gun can be extremely safe. But that gun isn't alive. You can never predict any live being 100 percent.


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[tegu]

Any snake can bite you at any time. Ive had my most trusted animals randomly bite me before. There is no safety in free handling and I'd hope you'd be aware of that.

As for the guy mentioned in the original post, I think he doesn't have enough respect for the animals he owns. It also makes me wonder if he really understands the danger he's in. No one in their right mind would do that when really understanding the danger, because there are ONLY consequences. Either he gets killed, gets nerve damage, or pays a nasty hospital bill. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

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[zina10]

This bears repeating.

This young woman was experienced with snakes. Kept hots for years. Free Handled. Had been bitten (and survived) previously as well.

Everything went well. Until it didn't.

She died FAST. She had just enough time to write a note, and didn't even get to call emergency service. She was found dead, clutching that note.

The venomous snakes were euthanized!!

The media reported. The neighbors felt threatened in retrospect. Friends and family upset. Big hit on the hobby and bad light on the responsibility of reptile keepers.

http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/17/local/me-44868

There was another woman who died from a bite of the hots she free handled, that was long ago, though. Bites have happened more often then death, of course.

We have to remember, most people don't "understand" snakes. Most hate and fear them. Most people would have NO problem with the laws getting ever more strict regarding reptile keeping. As the more knowledgeable and responsible keepers we should understand the importance of keeping our hobby in a good light.

And someone that understands the danger of keeping hot animals should at least be responsible enough not to turn his handling into a "Youtube ven. snake whisperer/cowboy aka Siegfried and Roy show" If anything, someone like that should use their knowledge for EDUCATION. Not entertainment. If he wants to play Russian Roulette with hot snakes, it shouldn't be to show off for the masses.

IMO, of course.