Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles that cannot regulate their own body temperature. They do not have limbs, eyelids or external ear parts. Their bodies are covered in ventral & dorsal scales that are shed on a regularly basis.
There are marked variations in the hunting behaviour of these animals. Pythons initially strike at the prey, grabbing it with their mouth, and then use their body muscles to apply pressure around the body. They will then tighten their grip each time the victim exhales, with death following close behind. Other species inject their victim with a deadly cocktail of venom that will affect the nervous system or the blood tissue, which will kill the animal, the prey is then consumed whole.
IATA defines venomous snakes in the following taxonomic groups:
Snakes sensors:
Some pythons, boas & vipers have heat pits, located on their face, which are used to detect changes in environmental temperature. Other species use a sensory organ known as the Jacobson’s organ. This is a well-developed organ used to detect environmental smells. The snake will flick its tongue regularly, sampling its surroundings. Having the ability to fine-tune this sensor helps to balance out any limitations they might have with their sight or hearing. Having a knowledge of the behaviour, and the biological and physiological make up, of the species prior to handling the animal can help to reduce the risk of bite injuries. A common mistake of not washing hands prior to handling a snake may prove disastrous if the handler’s hands smell of prey and the animal is hungry.
Snake movement:
Snakes move in a variety of ways, many incorporating more than one basic movement. This movement evolves around the use of the muscles around the ribs & the ribs them selves. Species (e.g. Vipers) that move in sandy surfaces where the substrate is quite loose use a technique known as side-winding, this where the body moves across the sand instead of in a forward movement (linear progression) like most traditional snakes. Others that move through tunnels or burrows use a method in which they pull all their lower body tightly together so that the body is basically squashed inside the burrow & then with the front of the body they throw their head forward along the tunnel. Species that move in water or climb trees use a method know as lateral undulating - where various points of the body push against abrasive surfaces, as the animal wriggles from side to side
Wildlife professionals who work with snakes realise how important it is to use "best practice" handling techniques. Specialist knowledge and skills are required before working with any animal including snakes. Only experienced personnel should attempt to handle snakes, as their temperaments can be hard to predict. To learn more about Best Practice Capture, handling & restraint of snakes see Handling Snakes
Do you have the right permits (animal ethics and legal approvals) and facilities? Snakes are not pets they are wild animals and need appropriate housing and specialist husbandry.
Always check with your local wildlife authority to make sure you are prepared..
Prior to capture devise a handling plan - Watch the snake and the position it is in. Choose a safe position to make the first contact or initial capture... Ensure all equipment is in good working order and is close at hand. Be prepared for defensive behaviour such as striking or spitting. Wear protective face shields for vipers and other spitting snakes. One person should be assigned the capture role Review the Snakes DVD vision this will show you a few varieties of techniques used for safe capture & restraint. Smaller non-venomous species may only require one person for capture and restraint. It is essential that only qualified, competent handlers should attempt capture and restraint of venomous species. A qualified first aid person, suitable first aid emergency kit and appropriate antivenom should be readily available prior to the handling of any venomous species.
Special handling considerations: Incorporate the capture and/or husbandry procedure during routine activity times early in the day. Ensure all appropriate quarantine and zoonotic risks are prepared for i.e. blood collection, quarantine etc. If the animal is a wild capture and has an unknown disease status make sure it under goes a quarantine period to avoid introducing disease into your collection. If you do need to handle the animal ensure that all bio-security needs are met to avoid an infectious disease out break. Prior to handling check that the snake has not been fed recently, is not in pre-slough or is not shedding its skin. For wild, or aggressive captive specimens, that are known to display defensive behaviour, reducing the enclosure temperate by 1-2 degrees below the preferred temperature one hour before handling, may help to slow the snakes reflexes prior to handling. Once the snake has been captured re-adjust the temperature immediately so the environmental conditions will have time to stabilize before the animal is put back into its enclosure.
Snakes in Australia are held under various types of special license.. In Western Australia wildlife conservation License Regulation 16 gives licensed institutions and individuals a legal permit to hold snakes for education and or rehabilitation purposes.
Check your local Wildlife Authority regarding the permits you need.
Endangered Species The Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITES) and the IUCN (Red List) determine the status of species and whether they are threatened, rare, vulnerable, endangered etc..
Transport:
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) produces internationally recognised guidelines in conjunction with CITES for the transportation of all animals including snakes.
Rear fanged Species must be packed like true venomous snakes
• Boomslang Dispholidus
• African Vine or twig snakes Thelotornis
• Rhabdophis
• Mangrove and cat snakes Boiga
• Some colubrid snakes with uncertain venomous status, or apparatus, for example Homolapsinae, Xenodontidae and the South East Asian water snakes should be packed using the guidelines contained in Container Requirement 51.
IATA recommend that where possible, all snakes should be packed individually in rigid plastic containers. Always consult IATA Live Animal Regulations for current transportation guidelines... Always clearly label the transport container 'LIVE ANIMAL - HANDLE WITH CARE - THIS WAY UP - KEEP COOL'.
If the snake is venomous the container should also be clearly labelled to indicate that it 'CONTAINS A VENOMOUS SNAKE'.
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