Snakes, often misunderstood and unnecessarily feared, can be fascinating creatures to observe and handle when done correctly. Whether you’re a reptile enthusiast, a pet owner, a wildlife professional, or someone who occasionally encounters these slithering creatures, knowing the proper techniques for handling non-venomous snakes is essential for both your safety and the well-being of the snake. Improper handling can stress the animal, potentially leading to defensive behaviors like biting, or even cause physical harm to the snake. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the fundamentals of safe snake handling, from preparation to specific techniques, helping you develop confidence and respect when interacting with these remarkable reptiles.
Understanding Snake Behavior Before Handling
Before attempting to handle any snake, it’s crucial to understand their natural behaviors and body language. Snakes are generally shy creatures that prefer to avoid confrontation rather than engage in it. When a snake feels threatened, it may display warning signs such as hissing, flattening its head and neck, coiling tightly, or vibrating its tail rapidly. These behaviors indicate the snake is stressed and not in a receptive state for handling. Additionally, snakes have different temperaments based on species, individual personality, and whether they’re wild or captive-bred. Take time to observe the snake’s behavior from a distance first, noting whether it appears calm and relaxed or agitated and defensive, which will help you determine if handling is appropriate at that moment.
Essential Safety Precautions
Safety should always be your priority when handling any snake, regardless of its species or venomous status. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling to remove any food scents that might trigger a feeding response from the snake. Never handle a snake when you’re alone, especially if you’re a beginner or working with a larger species that could potentially cause injury if it constricts. Keep handling sessions in an enclosed space away from furniture crevices or hard-to-reach areas where the snake could escape and become difficult to retrieve. Have a snake hook or similar tool available as an alternative way to move the snake if direct handling becomes problematic. If you’re handling wild snakes for relocation purposes, always wear appropriate protective gloves to protect against bacterial infections from bites, even though they’re non-venomous.
Identifying Non-Venomous Species Confidently
Proper identification is the foundation of safe snake handling, as mistaking a venomous species for a non-venomous one could have serious consequences. Non-venomous snakes in North America typically have round pupils, no facial pits between the eye and nostril, a single row of scales on their underside after the anal plate, and a rounded head that’s only slightly wider than the neck. Common non-venomous species include garter snakes, king snakes, rat snakes, corn snakes, and ball pythons, among many others. When in doubt about a snake’s identity, especially in the wild, it’s always safest to admire from a distance rather than attempt handling. Regional field guides, snake identification apps, or consultation with local herpetology experts can help you develop identification skills before attempting to handle wild specimens.
The Right Approach and Positioning
How you approach a snake significantly impacts whether the interaction will be successful. Always approach from the side rather than from above, as predators typically attack snakes from above, which could trigger a defensive response. Move slowly and deliberately, avoiding sudden movements that might startle the animal. When you’re ready to pick up the snake, position your hands properly—one hand supporting the first third of the body (behind the head) and the other supporting the middle or rear portion. Never grab a snake by its tail alone, as this leaves it feeling insecure and may result in it turning to bite or thrashing to escape. For larger species, you may need to use both hands to support the middle portion of the body while allowing the front and rear portions to rest on your arms.
The Mid-Body Support Technique
The mid-body support technique is the safest and most comfortable method for handling most non-venomous snakes. To execute this properly, gently place one hand under the snake’s body about one-third of the way down from the head, using your palm and fingers to provide a stable platform. Place your other hand further down the body, creating multiple points of support that make the snake feel secure. Allow the snake to move naturally between your hands, adjusting your grip as needed to maintain support throughout its length. This technique minimizes stress on the snake’s body and reduces the likelihood of defensive behaviors, as the animal feels physically supported rather than restrained. For longer snakes, you may need to continually reposition your hands, always maintaining at least two points of contact as the snake moves.
Avoiding the Head-Grabbing Mistake
One of the most common mistakes made by novice snake handlers is attempting to grab or restrain the snake’s head. This approach is unnecessary for non-venomous species and typically causes extreme stress to the animal, often resulting in a defensive bite. Grabbing a snake’s head mimics the grip of a predator and triggers the animal’s survival instincts. Professional handlers may sometimes use head-restraint techniques for specific medical procedures or when working with venomous species, but these are specialized skills requiring extensive training. For routine handling of non-venomous snakes, the head should be left free to move naturally, with support provided to the body instead. This allows the snake to feel more in control of the situation and significantly reduces stress during the handling process.
Handling Duration and Environmental Factors
Even the gentlest handling creates some level of stress for snakes, so limiting session duration is important for the animal’s wellbeing. Keep handling periods to 5-15 minutes, especially when working with a new snake or one that’s not accustomed to human interaction. Environmental factors also play a crucial role in successful handling—maintain an appropriate ambient temperature, as snakes become sluggish and less responsive when cold. Avoid handling during or immediately after feeding, as this can cause regurgitation, which is physically taxing and potentially dangerous to the snake’s health. Similarly, avoid handling during shedding periods (when the snake’s eyes appear bluish and opaque), as their vision is compromised and they tend to be more defensive. Handling is best done in quiet environments with minimal distractions that might startle either you or the snake.
Special Considerations for Wild Snakes
Handling wild snakes requires additional precautions beyond those for captive specimens. If you must handle a wild snake (such as for research or relocation from a dangerous area), minimize handling time to reduce stress on the animal. Use gentle snake hooks or similar tools to guide the snake into a secure container rather than picking it up directly whenever possible. Be aware that wild snakes are more likely to exhibit defensive behaviors like biting, musking (releasing a foul-smelling substance), or thrashing compared to captive-raised individuals. After necessary handling, release the snake in suitable habitat away from human activity but within its natural range—moving it too far from its capture site can negatively impact its survival chances. Remember that in many jurisdictions, handling wildlife without proper permits is illegal, so familiarize yourself with local regulations before intervening.
Dealing with Defensive Behaviors
Despite your best efforts, a snake may occasionally display defensive behaviors during handling. If the snake begins to coil tightly, hiss, flatten its neck, or otherwise indicate stress, slowly and calmly return it to its enclosure or, if in the wild, gently place it on the ground and step back. Never tighten your grip in response to a snake’s attempts to escape, as this will only escalate the defensive response. If a non-venomous snake does bite—which is relatively uncommon when proper handling techniques are used—resist the urge to pull away, as this can damage the snake’s teeth. Instead, gently press toward the bite, which encourages the snake to release. Clean any bite thoroughly with soap and water, followed by an antiseptic, as snake mouths contain bacteria that can cause infection despite the absence of venom.
Handling Different Size Categories
The size of a snake significantly affects appropriate handling techniques. Small snakes under two feet long can be supported with one hand under the body, though it’s still advisable to use two hands for better control and to make the snake feel secure. Medium-sized snakes between two and five feet require two-handed support with regular repositioning as the snake moves. Large constrictors over five feet demand special consideration—never handle them alone, support their body weight properly to prevent injury to both the snake and yourself, and be prepared for their considerable strength. With very large snakes like adult pythons or boas, one person should support the head and first third of the body while a second person manages the middle and rear portions. Remember that as snakes grow larger, their potential to cause injury through constriction increases, even in generally docile species.
Training Snakes to Accept Handling
Captive snakes can be gradually conditioned to accept regular handling through a process of habituation. Begin with very brief handling sessions of just 1-2 minutes, gradually increasing duration as the snake shows signs of comfort. Consistency is key—handle the snake regularly (several times weekly) but not excessively, allowing it to become familiar with your scent and touch. Initially, some snakes may benefit from “target training” using a snake hook to gently touch them before handling, which helps them differentiate between feeding time and handling time. Watch for signs of increasing comfort such as relaxed muscle tone, exploratory tongue flicking, and calm, deliberate movement across your hands. Most captive snakes, particularly those acquired as juveniles, will eventually acclimate to regular handling, though individual temperaments vary considerably between species and even between individuals of the same species.
Snake Handling Equipment and Tools
While bare hands are appropriate for most routine handling of non-venomous snakes, certain tools can enhance safety and effectiveness in specific situations. Snake hooks are versatile tools used to gently lift snakes, guide their movement, or perform basic health inspections without direct handling. Transparent plastic snake tubes can be useful for examining snakes more closely or administering medications when necessary. For outdoor work or when dealing with particularly defensive species, lightweight leather gloves provide basic protection against bites while still allowing sufficient dexterity for proper handling. Snake bags made of breathable fabric provide secure temporary containment for transportation or during enclosure maintenance. When working with particularly large constrictors, having a second person present with a spray bottle of water can help interrupt a constriction response in the rare event that the snake becomes overly constrictive during handling.
Post-Handling Care and Considerations
After handling a snake, proper follow-up care helps ensure the animal’s continued health and well-being. Always return captive snakes to their properly set-up enclosures with appropriate temperature gradients, hiding spots, and fresh water. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling to prevent the spread of bacteria between animals if you maintain multiple reptiles. Monitor the snake for any signs of stress in the hours following handling, such as excessive hiding, refusal to eat, or uncharacteristic behavior. If you’ve handled multiple snakes, it’s advisable to wait at least 48 hours before offering food, as the stress of handling can temporarily suppress feeding responses. Keep detailed records of handling sessions, noting the snake’s behavior, any issues encountered, and improvements in handling tolerance over time, which can help you adjust your approach to better suit the individual animal’s temperament.
Conclusion
Proper handling of non-venomous snakes is a skill that combines technical knowledge with respect for the animal’s natural behaviors and needs. By approaching snakes with confidence, using appropriate support techniques, and remaining attentive to the animal’s body language, you can create positive handling experiences that minimize stress for both parties. Whether you’re a pet owner seeking to build a relationship with your snake, a wildlife enthusiast documenting species in the field, or someone who occasionally needs to relocate a snake from an unwanted location, these handling principles apply universally. Remember that each snake is an individual with its own temperament and tolerance levels, and adjust your approach accordingly. With practice and patience, handling snakes can become a comfortable, rewarding activity that deepens your appreciation for these fascinating reptiles.
