Expert: Edmund Brown - 10/1/2004

Question
Hello Edmund, I'd like to thank you for taking  the time to read  this and  hopefully help me. My question is in regard to any venomous snake "when and when should they not be handled and why?". Answering this question will grately help me out with my uni course work. Many thanks.

Answer
Hi Charotte,
Venomous snakes should never be handled by non experienced people. This is so  because of the often fatal bites. For the experienced handler though, there are times that handling should be avoided if possible. Sometimes it is for the handlers benefit and sometimes it is for the snake. A snake that has eaten should not be handled for at least 24 hours afterwards. If it is handled, the snake will very likely regurgitate what it ate. This can be very bad or fatal to the snake. Another time not to handle them is while they are in  the shedding mode. They are very agitated at this time and you will have a harder time not getting a bite. They should not be handled if they must be removed from a warm cage to a cold area. They can get serious respiratory ailments this way. They should not be handled by anyone who has a bad cold or flu as they can easily get sick and die. They should not be handled if they  are sick  as the handler can  get sick or pass it on  to the next  snake. I hope this is a help to you. Edmund Brown [ReptileEd] http://www.ReptileSpectacular.com