How to Hold a Snake

If you're going to hold a snake, you must learn how to support his body weight, watch for signs of distress and know when to let the snake crawl while you hold him. You can adopt this technique to remove snakes from your property or to show a pet to others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Pick your snake up gently. Grabbing the snake in the middle, or by his head, can inflict injury or make him strike at you.
2. Support the snake's weight with your hands and your arm. Put your hand under his head if you're showing him to friends, and make sure he doesn't appear nervous.
3. Follow your snake, if he starts crawling in your hands, by putting one hand in front of the other. Don't move your hands faster than the snake is crawling, or your snake will experience a falling sensation that may distress him.
4. Wrap large snakes around the back of your neck and along your back. Hang the tail and head along your shoulders, in the front. If the snake starts crawling along your body, use your arms to provide support.
5. Use a hook or stick when holding a large snake by the tail. Snakes held by the tail can get hurt, so always support the front of their body with a safe, long object, like a large stick.
6. Hold your snake for no longer than 30 to 40 minutes, and then put him back so he can rest.