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

[Bogertophis]

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.

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.