Cold-blooded Chronicles
The Newsletter of kingsnake.com
December 2009

Kingsnake is ever expanding. We recently launched our new car communities! Are you into cars? It's amazing the number of herpers who are just as crazy about their cars! Check out our new car forums -- and you may win a t-shirt!.

Are you following us on Twitter and Facebook? Why not? Get site updates and featured posts as well as chat reminders in real time! Stop by and join us today. Kingsnake.com on Twitter!

Chat month is around the corner. While we are already compiling a list of names, who would YOU like to see? Drop us an email and let us know.

Last month, we completed a move of our classified advertising services to a brand new server, resulting in improved performance times.

Last week, we launched a revised version of our Classifieds Terms of Service that now allows our account holders to post six, rather than three, ads per day per section, and other changes. Catch up on the changes, all designed to make the classifieds easier to use as well as more useful for our advertisers and their customers.

Herp Legal Alerts and Issues

The legislative and regulatory challenges facing our hobby as the year draws to an end. We have an overview of the three major federal laws that could affect the reptile industry on our blog, a well as commentary on this week's hearing here.

As we move forward with this fight, you can be sure Kingsnake.com will keep you informed. Watch the splash at the top of the page, scan the Herp Law and Cities forum regularly, and also subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

With this in mind, Rich Crowley has tips to avoide problems when handling large constricting snakes.

Big Snakes and Big Mistakes:
Rules to live by when keeping large constricting snakes
By Rich Crowley

1. Avoid handling any constrictor over eight feet in length without assistance.

2. Use snake hooks and tongs to move the snake and cage furniture around in the enclosure or shield the head to block potential strikes by the snake.

3. Never rush into a cage without alerting the snake, use a gentle stroke with the snake hook on the body. A reassuring hand on the lower part of the body well away from the head can also be used, but stay out of the striking range of the snake’s head.

4. Be alert for warning signals such as huffing, hissing, gaping of the mouth, tail wagging or circling of the cage. These are all signs that the snake would rather be left alone and is in a defensive mode.

5. Never wear the snake around the neck or waste without sufficient people to pull it off.

Damage Control – What to do if you make a mistake

1. Remain calm. Sometimes the snake will release if there is no struggle.

2. If you have others with you, keep them calm by talking to them, let them know your status and instruct them on what to do.

3. If you are wrapped up begin by uncoiling beginning with either the head or the tail. If you have help spin away to help uncoil and straighten the snake out to avoid follow-up strikes.

4. If you cannot unwrap the snake using the head or tail because the snake has bitten and is hanging on, try flushing vinegar into the mouth. If the snake does not let go or cannot dislodge its teeth, use a large wood or plastic spoon and slide between the jaw and bite area, sliding the head forward slightly to dislodge the teeth.

5. Immediately place the snake in a secured cage or compartment. A strike is stressful for you and the snake so leave them be and get assistance if necessary to return the snake to its enclosure.

6. If any teeth are lodged in the skin, remove them with tweezers, wash with water, apply antiseptic and wrap with gauze. Seek medical attention for treatment of possible secondary infection and internal tissue damage.

7. Learn from your mistake and identify what you did wrong.

a. Did you smell like food?

b. Did you act like food entering the cage?

c. Did you startle the snake or invade its territory?

Copyright 2009 by OnlineHobbyist.com unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.

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