Croc hunter? Well maybe we didn't see the stingray aspect of that, but you had to know at some point he was gonna take liberties with a beastie who was just not the beastie to mess with...

Same for this idiot.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/serpent-handling-pastor-profiled-earlier-in-washington-post-dies-from-rattlesnake-bite/2012/05/29/gJQAJef5zU_story.html

I've owned snakes (not poisonous ones, just constrictors), and they are remarkable animals. They can be handled, loved, and are pretty curious creatures. They also only eat and poo every 10 days, make no noise, and rarely cause you any problems other than shedding. Leave them be when they are hungry, and give them a day to digest food. They eat it whole. Leave them the hell alone while they are shedding, they are blind and basically are sunburned everywhere.

There is a sense of gentleness you always have to employ with snakes. Speedy movements, or plopping your fatass down next to one is a great way to make one fear, go into survival mode, and bite. Snakes (even rattlesnakes) will only bite for hunting food if they have their choice, with few exeptions even water moccasins will try to escape or resort to threat displays 80% of the time before they bite, and those bastards are reknowned for their aggressiveness. That's sadly untrue, those guys just have no other way to get your damned attention if you don't know they are there. Rattlesnakes will only bite if you've REALLY pissed one off. Handing it around your congregation, putting it on the ground and squatting next to it... Close enough for it to be able to strike you is too close. Give them 5-10 feet, and he'd have been fine.

I don't advocate handling poisonous snakes under any circumstances, leave that for professionals, and leave the creatures to be wild. However if you find yourself around one, keep your head, don't try to bolt, run, or anything else. Just move away slowly, the creature will be happy to oblige you.

Last edited by alz (5/31/2012 2:29 pm)