Snake in the house!

[JW]

You got a cool set of dogs there HHF, pretty good behind the neck capture there, good old Steve Irwin would be happy with that............. crickey, you beauty!!

[mars]

14 trips to Thailand and as yet I haven't seen a single snake,

I hope my luck keeps going as I am shit scared of them

[Ellycat]

We had a pet rat snake in the garden of our Indian guest house in Goa but as someone explained they attract cobras, as we found out when one made its way into one of the rooms. They left it there for seven days. Some kind of Hindu tradition methinks..

[Ellycat]

14 trips to Thailand and as yet I haven't seen a single snake,

I hope my luck keeps going as I am shit scared of them

They're more scared of you.

[PET]

One in the house last night ( Nong Plub Road area) all the Thais ran and left me to deal with it !!

[PeteC]

That's a good point. It's amazing how many things here that people see from birth scare them; snakes, cockroaches, tokay lizards, leeches even chinchokes especially when dead. I speak at least about the Thai females I've known. Pete

[Roel]

Cannot agree. I found western women far more hysterical while encountering mice, all kinds of insects, "huge" spiders in the bath room etc. than Thai women. Most are pretty relaxed with all kinds of creepers and crawlers with the exception of potentially dangerous snakes, scorpions and centipedes. Cannot blame them for that.

Yesterday our security guard killed a one meter long cobra. My girl friend said it was not the same one that she witnessed killing one of our cats a few days ago. That was much bigger. Thanks for that observation!

I was there when they killed it but I must say it is not the same as watching cobra's on Discovery Channel. One time you see it, then it is gone, then you see it again, then it is gone again. And a bunch of Thais panicking around "man pai nai, man pai nai?" (Where dit it go, where did it go?). Scary stuff.

[hhfarang]

I had to kill another Malayan Pit Viper in our yard yesterday. They sit very still in a coil and are not afraid but will strike if you get too close. I tried to sweep it into a dust pan so I could put into the vacant lot next to us but the snake wouldn't have it and me and the missus were fighting both dogs off so they wouldn't get bitten. The hole scene was like the proverbial "Chinese fire drill". Finally I gave up and killed it but I hate to do that.

Does anyone know where you can buy one of those snake grabbing devices (some sort of pincer on the end of an aluminum handle controlled by a hand grip on the other end) that you see snake handlers use on TV? I sure could use one!

[Roel]

Not having had any significant rain so far, but they seem already on the move in numbers.
Easy to build your own catching device hhfarang, look here:

http://www.siam-info.de/english/snake_catcher.html

Strange indeed, never saw one on sale or being used in Thailand.
Maybe you can build a hundred and open a shop??

Happy hunting! Do not forget to post some nice pics.

[hhfarang]

Easy to build your own catching device hhfarang, look here:

http://www.siam-info.de/english/snake_catcher.html

I did make one of those out of nylon rope and pvc but the rope was so floppy I could never get the damned snake's head into the noose. I want one of these:

[PeteC]

You can buy something very similar in the hardware stores used to cut overhead tree branches. Just modify/file the business end a bit if you want to catch rather than slice. Pete

[Nereus]

There is a similar device made for handicapped people, to enable them to pick things up without bending over. I have not seen one in Thailand, but then I have not really looked. If there is a shop around that has wheelchairs etc., they may be able to get one for you. Only thing is it may be a bit on the short side.

[Norseman]

I agree with you HHF.
The pictured Thong is the only sensible tool to use for amateurs like us.
I also made a snake catcher similar to the one on Siam-Info, but experienced same problem as you with the catcher.
Some years ago I made two hooks of stainless steel, but found out that they are a bit slippery to have a 100% control of the situation.
The Thong in your picture is the best tool if you don't want to buy a branch cutter and guillotine the snake.
I've tried several times to find out where in Bangkok you can buy it but in vain.
The hooks the pro's use in snake-farms are all home made.
At least the ones I've seen.

[PeteC]

You could lure out male snakes with one of these, then wack 'em. Pete

phpnDhoPMAM.jpg (13.75 KiB) Viewed 582 times

[pharvey]

BIG bugger spotted in the garden.....