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[[Image:Snake_hook_1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Safety equipment - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
[[Image:Snake_hook_1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Safety equipment - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
==Physical restraint==
==Physical restraint==
The best method for transport of non-venomous and non-aggressive species is simply a cotton bag into which snakes will often retreat voluntarily. Prior to handling any snake it is important to establish the species otherwise dangerous snakes may be inadvertently handled without due care. Ideally snakes should be handled minimally. Hypothermia is not a method of restraint. The oculovasal reflex is not seen in snakes. When handling a snake for the first time it is safest to grasp just behind a snake’s head before lifting the rest of the body.
Physical or chemical restraint of snakes is frequently required in order to follow safe [[Snake Physical Examination|examination]] protocols. The best method for transport of non-venomous and non-aggressive species is simply a cotton bag into which snakes will often retreat voluntarily. Prior to handling any snake it is important to establish the species otherwise dangerous snakes may be inadvertently handled without due care. Ideally snakes should be handled minimally. Hypothermia is not a method of restraint. The oculovasal reflex is not seen in snakes. When handling a snake for the first time it is safest to grasp just behind a snake’s head before lifting the rest of the body.
*Be gentle when handling any snakes
*Be gentle when handling any snakes
*Some species must be handled with care, even though they are nonvenomous, since they can be very aggressive. These include reticulated pythons and anacondas.
*Some species must be handled with care, even though they are nonvenomous, since they can be very aggressive. These include reticulated pythons and anacondas.
====Two-handed technique restraint====
====Two-handed technique restraint====
A snake needs to be supported at a minimum of two points on the body. One person can hold the body and move with the snake as it moves. A second person uses minimal pressure to control the head.
A snake needs to be supported at a minimum of two points on the body. One person can hold the body and move with the snake as it moves. A second person uses minimal pressure to control the head.
==Transportation==
==Transportation==
Aggressive snakes should be restrained before they are removed from their transportation bag. This is achieved by holding the head behind the occiput using the thumb and middle finger, while the index finger is placed on top of the head. The larger pythons and anacondas can exceed 6m in length and 150kg in weight and are powerful and potentially dangerous. For these animals, a second or even third handler will be required to support the body during the examination. It is usually safer and more convenient to sedate a large pugnacious snake than to struffle on and risk injury to the snake, client or staff.
Aggressive snakes should be restrained before they are removed from their transportation bag. This is achieved by holding the head behind the occiput using the thumb and middle finger, while the index finger is placed on top of the head. The larger pythons and anacondas can exceed 6m in length and 150kg in weight and are powerful and potentially dangerous. For these animals, a second or even third handler will be required to support the body during the examination. It is usually safer and more convenient to sedate a large pugnacious snake than to struffle on and risk injury to the snake, client or staff.