Rinkhals observation... comments?

[dendroaspis]

The odds of that baby rinkhals biting through that glove is most unlikely. I would, however, not use them when the snake gets bigger

[fredsmith]

The odds of that baby rinkhals biting through that glove is most unlikely. I would, however, not use them when the snake gets bigger

I guess you're right Dendroapsis... but would you take the chance?
I've got several pairs of the same type of glove in my car, being in the steel industry they save my hands from small steel burs and the dirt, but they're only at the thickest about 2mm thick.
How long are the fangs of a juvinile snake like a Rhinkals?

[matty]

Agreed, it probably cant bite through there. There are just many other ways to manage a venomous snake that are safer.

[Athema]

The gloves is normal Chrome leather gloves. I picked this up with my first Python. The python just refused to get handled and continualy bit me, even with slow movement. I started using the gloves to save my hands from the bites trying to get the Python used to me. Several weeks later, the Python calmed down, and I was able to handle it as long as I had the gloves on. Any other way, and it would bite me. I later figured that the Python is picking up it's own scent from the gloves, and calms down because of this. Each snake has it's own pair of gloves I handle them with. The king snake don't mind the bare hands, but the others got raised with the gloves, so they don't like being handled any other way.

I fully agree that the gloves wont help much in a bite situation, but from what I have learned from my Python experience, it seems to be a safer option to barehands.

If anyone have a different reason as to why the gloves seem to work on snakes, please do assist. Like I said, the only possible reason I can come up with is that it smells it-self on the gloves and know that the gloves don't hurt him/her.

[Bushbaby]

I fully agree that the gloves wont help much in a bite situation, but from what I have learned from my Python experience, it seems to be a safer option to barehands.

A Rinkhals is venomous and has the potential to kill you. You should treat it as such, they aren't meant to be handled!!

[Athema]

Fully understood, but how must i forcefeed it without handling it? If i take a pinky and rub it on a live toad. Will enough scent rub over for it to mistake it as a toad? Or anyone know how to make toad scent.

[Serpy]

You can scent it, that should do the trick. Safely handling a snake is usually done with a hook stick, when forcefeeding there's many methods to use that don't require a glove. You can pin it down with a sponge and force feed that way.

[matty]

Im sure i saw a picture of this method on the forum, but i cant find it. Maybe someone else can?

[CobraFan]

How to feed a baby rinkhals?
Is force feeding the best option?
My little guy is not by any means skinny but he won't flippin eat the pinks!

[Bushviper]

Baby rinkhals want small toads and frogs. If you cannot get any then rather release him. Even those that eat pinks seem to die off for almost no reason.

[Serpent]

Rinkhals are not really keepers, and are better off just being observed in the wild. It is difficult to find frogs and toads, and as BV says that is their main diet. Snakes like rinkhals's and mfezi's may seem "cool", but they are not that great to keep. They can be difficult to feed, they poop too much and spit at you.

Why not choose a neonate cb snouted cobra if you are hell bent on keeping elapids, they eat mice, don't spit and settle down very nicely in captivity.

Force feeding is dangerous for snake and handler, especially for neonates. You can try sponging, but most experienced keepers will use a snake hook and their bare hands for better control and grip. Gloves are cumbersome and are not very useful when force feeding. Force feeding a snake such as a rinkhals is risky, and you have to ask yourself if its worth it or not, or what you are trying to achieve?

You can try scenting the pinkys, but the snake is better off being released.