Snake relocation - pit vipers EP 01

In this video I will share a method how to safely relocate a snake.
But first of all, I would like to emphasize the fact that handling snakes could quite literally be a matter of life and death!!!

Backing off and letting the snake be, is always the safest option. But relocation might be necessary with e.g. children and pets around.

The reason I share this video, is because I have seen 'beginners' trying to do this by themselves, but using methods that are dangerous for themselves or the snakes. So, even though I recommend you to call a professional for snake relocation, if you do decide to do it yourself this video should help you to do it as safe as possible.
At the same time I am using materials that are readily available in Thailand and that require virtually no do-it-yourself skills.

I will be using a snake hook made from a paint roller and a stick of about 2m long (longer means harder to maneuver, 2m will keep you out of striking range of most species.) Use a lightweight but strong material like bamboo, or another option is a telescopic paint roller pole available at the Homepro.
Here follow the links to the paint roller and this extendable paint roller pole. Try to avoid a very wide paint roller. I went for a 10cm wide one so you can even get into smaller spaces.

Acrylic paint roller somic 4" - 69 THB
https://www.homepro.co.th/p/15446

Roller Pole Kingorigin 2m - normally 189 THB, currently 105 Thai baht
https://www.homepro.co.th/p/1044471

For the tall bucket I would recommend something of about 70cm height at minimum and with a lockable lid. Preferably with an open handle in the center of the lid that allows you to hook the lid and place the lid on the bucket with your hook instead of your hands. Check the large green bucket in the video.

Not covered in the video, but if you want to further increase safety, wearing tall rubber boots and long pants/ sleeves and perhaps even something like welding gloves would all add to additional safety.

I think this method will work with virtually all snake species, but some species might be more of a challenge. I hope to do some follow-up videos with some other species just to show how they act, but overall it will be a similar procedure.
If handling spitting cobras make sure you wear eye protection, and cover all skin with long sleeves/ long pants and perhaps even consider wrapping a shirt around your face just to cover as much as possible.

To be fair, I guess handling spitting cobras is best to be left to professionals. But if you decide to do it yourself be very careful. And have plenty of clean water readily available to thoroughly wash your eyes in case you do get venom in the eyes.

Also handling large snakes like pythons and big king cobras is a different story. Lifting them in a bucket will be very hard due to their weight. To be fair also for King Cobras of reasonable size I think it's best to leave it to professionals. They are very fast.

I hope I get the chance to do some videos on pythons and perhaps even the (king) cobras at a later date.

Here follows a list of facebook groups for our region for which I am an admin/ moderator together with a team of skilled snake enthusiasts who can get you accurate and usually quick snake identifications (as long as you provide a half-decent image ;-) ).

Snakes of Bangkok:   / 2004459626509147  
Snakes of Chiang Mai:   / 121136308469728  
Snakes of Hua Hin:   / 1749132628662306  
Snakes of Isaan:   / 1076644525809817  
Snakes of Pattaya:   / 1690357437927914  
Snakes of Phuket:   / 124703794775304  
Snakes of Luang Prabang and Northern Laos:   / 2010822348986261  
Snakes of Vientiane and Southern Laos:   / 222151122012189  
Snakes of Cambodia:   / 330207091246133  
Snakes of Myanmar:   / 1156517924545140  
Snakes of Vietnam:   / 2428221517284939  

And I cover a number of species on my website: http://www.herpingthailand.com