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Handling Pet Rattler

This is a VERY good point. Trying to show off is usually dumb and often done by people with less-than-wonderful judgement. Someone who has spent their adult career working with these animals in a serious way & is cautiously free-handling as part of that passion is very different from the foolhardy show-off.

There is also a HUGE difference in the level of understanding between a passionate observer, and a casual show-off.

I go out of my, as do many people on this forum, to find and document rattlesnakes in the wild. Observation of them, their habits, and their body language goes a LONG way towards being able to safely and confidently predict their behaviors. Just like dogs, rattlers will let you know, under no uncertain terms, if they are interested in being close to you, or not.

They are incredibly predictable, if you remember a couple of major things...

First and foremost...they don't want to be handled. In 99% of all instances, a rattlesnake does not want to interact with a human. There are very rare situations where captive rattlers have gone out of their way to get closer to their keepers, and I have seen this happen.

I watched an adult, long term captive Panamint crawl up the shaft of a snake hook(that was just sitting there, not being held), across the back of the couch, over to my good friend in a different chair, down his arm, and curl up in the crook of his elbow, and snuggle in for a nap. I can't explain it other than to say that this snake wanted to be held. You can believe it or not, it's all the same to me. I saw it happen.

Second thing to remember is that every action and reaction is dictated solely by instinct and comfort. There is never malicious intent in these animals...only a reaction to stimulation. Their body posture, tongue activity, movements, and level of alertness are easily interpreted, for the most part. Learning how, exactly, to interpret these body language cues is the key.

People with a passion for these animals, and experience in reading these cues are less likely to be caught off guard. People out to show-off to their friends because they think they are cool are FAR more likely to misjudge a snake and it's intentions, and therefor are more likely to get bitten.

In the end...stuff happens. After you've been bitten, your level of experience is fairly well a moot point. Venom doesn't care if this was your first handling experience or your millionth. It only takes one small mistake to land you in the hospital. All of the experience and passionate understanding in the world won't do a thing to stop that venom from doing it's job...
 
Personally, I find it incredibly foolish for this person handle the snake just for the sake of it. I understand that people choose to keep them, and therefor it's probably a good idea to get the snake somewhat acclimated to being moved about and handled with care and caution. But to me, someone willing to just set the snake on their shoulders for a photo-op is someone that shouldn't own a venomous snake. To take the risk of being seriously injured or killed just to look edgy or brave is irresponsible, foolish, and just plain stupid, in my opinion. I mean, sure, 'maybe' the snake was familiar with the persons handling... But why then add someone photographing? which may even trigger the snake to bite when it otherwise wouldn't, as well as adding the distraction of the handler looking at the camera as opposed to the dangerous snake in their possession.

One bite to the face and you'd probably rather have the photo-shopped version!
 
^ Actually I read from another forum that the snake in the picture did bite the women fatally after taking those pics..

I don't understand who wants to play with his life by handling deadly snakes just to take "cool photos" (or any other reason). My boyfriend have over 30 different kind of venomous snakes and the snakes live in their own room behind locks. We do not take any changes with them.
 
^ And of course I mean freehandling. ;) You can't keep a venomous snake in the terrarium when cleaning it, so you have to handle them sometimes but only with the hook.
 
^ Actually I read from another forum that the snake in the picture did bite the women fatally after taking those pics..

Got a link? Not sheer disbelief, but a treated Crotalus bite doesn't kill as often as people make Internet claims (not you so much as the person on the other forum).

I've kept a few hots over the years, and not much I can say hasn't been said. There is risk involved every time you open the enclosure to feed, clean water bowls, get a shed out, anything. And there is no feeling in the pit of your stomach quite like when for a second you think a hot has escaped! I never had an escape, but that moment when I thought I had made me rethink everything.
 
Got a link? Not sheer disbelief, but a treated Crotalus bite doesn't kill as often as people make Internet claims (not you so much as the person on the other forum).

I've kept a few hots over the years, and not much I can say hasn't been said. There is risk involved every time you open the enclosure to feed, clean water bowls, get a shed out, anything. And there is no feeling in the pit of your stomach quite like when for a second you think a hot has escaped! I never had an escape, but that moment when I thought I had made me rethink everything.
I could see it happening if it bit her neck or somewhere near her head and she decided to hope she was one of the 25% of people who get "dry" bites... she's already demonstrated poor foresight.
 
It certainly "could" happen, and she certainly had the snake near body parts you'd least want bitten. I just think for that picture to start making the rounds, followed by "she died after taking those pics" isn't terribly likely. It'll be an Internet sensation soon enough if it's true.
 
Beautifully colored truly terrifying hot. That's my description of a stiletto after viewing the video.
 
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