TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership

Note: The TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership was originally submitted by snakelady on February 3, 2007 at MySpace. I have made some updates.

This list of "Commandments" is intended for owners of "The Big Five" but also applies to most other snakes.

"The Big Five"
1. Burmese Python
2. Reticulated Python
3. African Rock Python
4. Australian Scrub Python
5. Anaconda


For your learning pleasure, I present to you the


TEN COMMANDMENTS of BIG SNAKE ownership


1. Thou shalt ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS (and maybe change your clothing) especially after handling other snakes or other animals!

i) To protect your snake from diseases and parasites

ii) To protect yourself from attack. Realize that snakes act on instinct.

IF YOU SMELL LIKE PREY, YOU ARE POTENTIAL PREY!

2. Thou shalt NOT FEED NOR HANDLE YOUR BIG SNAKE NOR OPEN YOUR BIG SNAKE'S CAGE WHEN YOU'RE ALONE!

It’s a good idea to have at least 1 person present per 5 feet of snake; preferably 1 person per 3 feet of snake for pythons & anacondas.

3. Thou shalt KNOW WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BIG SNAKE EVER GRABS AND WRAPS YOU

You or your buddies should do one or more of the following:

i) POUR ALCOHOL on your snake's head/mouth (any kind: drinking alcohol (vodka, rum, tequila, everclear, etc), MOUTHWASH, last resort: rubbing alcohol)

Note: Mouthwash is great because it causes a biting snake to release; you can disinfect wounds with it; and after having your nasty arm in its mouth, your snake may wish to gargle.

ii) POUR HOT TAP WATER on the snake

NOT BOILING! You'll injure your snake AND yourself!

iii) PULL THE SNAKES TAIL OPPOSITE THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BEND.

The snake's tail is like your little finger. If you can grasp it, pull it the opposite way that it normally bends, and the snake will notice.

iv) POUR COLD or ICE WATER (or any cold drink) on the snake

Cold water is the least effective technique.

4. Thou shalt KEEP YOUR BIG SNAKE SECURELY LOCKED IN AN ESCAPE-PROOF ENCLOSURE!

5. Thou shalt NOT ALLOW YOUR BIG SNAKE TO ROAM FREELY IN A ROOM OCCUPIED BY HUMANS (or other animals)!

6. Thou shalt BE EDUCATED & EDUCATE OTHERS!

7. Thou shalt KNOW YOUR SNAKE!

Like all animals and humans, every snake has it's own personality and idiosyncrasies.

8. Thou shalt RESPECT THE SNAKE! RESPECT A BIG SNAKE'S POWER!

9. Thou shalt NOT GET COCKY OR COMPLACENT around Big Snakes!

10. Thou shalt LEARN FROM PAST stupid MISTAKES (your own as well as other people's)

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