Ava Monroe
Snake handlers are people who handle snakes for a living or for religious reasons. Some people might wonder if the length of a person's fingernails has any impact on their ability to handle snakes. While there may be some speculation or personal preferences on this matter, it is important to note that there is no scientific or widely accepted reasoning as to why snake handlers should have long nails. The act of handling snakes safely involves a variety of factors and considerations, but the length of one's fingernails does not appear to be a significant factor in this discussion.
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What You'll Learn
- Snakes have no external ears, so they can't hear
- Safe handling requires knowing how to hold a snake and understanding snake behaviour
- Professionals prioritise the survival of all involved
- Religious snake handlers take a different approach, like Pastor Jamie Coots, who died from a rattlesnake bite
- Female snakes have claws to grip males during mating
Snakes have no external ears, so they can't hear
Snakes have no external ears and rely on their other senses, such as smell, to navigate their environment. They do, however, possess ear bones in their heads that enable them to hear. Their hearing is not very sensitive, especially in the upper frequencies, and they are likely to hear only low-frequency sounds.
Snake charmers in India, for example, achieve their famous performances by taking advantage of a snake's limited senses. Snakes do not respond to the music being played but are, in fact, intensely focused on the flute as a strange, moving object above them, as they would with a potential predator. Snakes can detect both airborne and groundborne vibrations, which help them navigate their surroundings.
While snakes do not rely on their sense of hearing, they have other heightened senses that allow them to hunt and survive. Many pit vipers, pythons, and boas have a heat pit, one of the most sensitive sensory organs in any animal. This heat pit provides the snake with a complete infrared picture of its surroundings, allowing it to locate prey and identify the hottest part to strike.
Additionally, snakes have a well-developed sense of smell. They flick their tongues out to pick up odor molecules in the air, which they then bring back to a specialized organ for processing. This sense of smell is so advanced that snakes are considered the "chemosensory kings" of the animal kingdom.
In conclusion, while snakes do possess the basic structures for hearing, their lack of external ears and limited sensitivity to certain frequencies means that they navigate their world primarily through other senses, such as smell and the detection of vibrations.
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Safe handling requires knowing how to hold a snake and understanding snake behaviour
Safe handling of snakes requires knowing how to hold them and understanding their behaviour. Snake handling is not just about knowing how to restrain a snake from biting. Herpetologists, the scientists who study amphibians and reptiles, typically have advanced degrees in biology and additional reptile-specific training. Experts in snake removal, also called "rescue and relocation," are trained in the identification, behaviours, and safe handling of all kinds of snakes in various environments.
Professional snake handlers prioritise the safety of all involved, including the snake. They understand that handling venomous snakes requires caution and accepting the risks involved. It is a learned skill that requires knowledge of snake behaviour and anatomy. For example, "snake charmers" in India take advantage of the fact that snakes do not have external ears and cannot hear in the traditional sense. Instead, the snakes focus intensely on the moving flute, swaying in response to this strange, looming object as they would for a predator.
Understanding snake behaviour can help handlers anticipate and avoid potential dangers. Snakes can exhibit defensive behaviour if they feel disturbed or uncomfortable, so it is important to respect their space and handle them appropriately. Some snakes, like ball pythons, enjoy being held and are very docile, but it is still important to handle them frequently to get them accustomed to it.
Additionally, knowing how to properly hold a snake is crucial for safe handling. This includes techniques such as restraining the snake's head to prevent biting and supporting its body to avoid injury. It is also important to be confident and calm when handling snakes, as they can sense and respond to the handler's energy.
Overall, safe snake handling requires a combination of knowledge about snake behaviour and anatomy, as well as practical skills and a respectful attitude towards these fascinating creatures.
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Professionals prioritise the survival of all involved
Professionals who handle snakes prioritise the survival of all involved. This includes both the handler and the snake. Herpetologists, for example, are scientists who study amphibians and reptiles and have advanced degrees in biology as well as additional reptile-specific training. They learn safe and humane snake handling, which involves not just knowing how to hold a snake to prevent bites but also understanding snake behaviour. Experts in snake removal, also called "rescue and relocation," are another example of professionals who handle snakes. They are trained in the identification, behaviours, and safe handling of snakes in various environments.
Snake handlers who work with venomous snakes take on significant risks. They may get away with taking liberties with a venomous snake many times, but the tragedy can occur when the odds catch up, and the snake bites. This risk is exemplified by the case of Pastor Jamie Coots, who handled venomous snakes for two decades in his Kentucky church before ultimately succumbing to a fatal rattlesnake bite in 2014.
Professional snake handlers aim to minimise these risks by prioritising safety and knowledge about snakes. They understand that handling deadly snakes requires caution and a learned skill set. This contrasts with religious serpent-handling practices, where faith takes precedence over safety precautions.
While it is not explicitly stated that long nails are a safety precaution for professional snake handlers, it is reasonable to assume that they take a comprehensive approach to risk mitigation. Long nails can provide a slight advantage in handling snakes by allowing for a better grip. However, the primary focus of professionals is on acquiring specialised knowledge and training to ensure the safety of both the handler and the snake.
In conclusion, professional snake handlers prioritise the survival of all involved by emphasising caution, acquiring specialised knowledge, and undergoing extensive training. They understand the risks associated with handling venomous snakes and strive to minimise those risks through their expertise and safety practices, which may include various techniques and precautions in addition to physical attributes like long nails.
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Religious snake handlers take a different approach, like Pastor Jamie Coots, who died from a rattlesnake bite
Religious snake handlers take a different approach to professionals, as illustrated by the case of Pastor Jamie Coots, who died from a rattlesnake bite in 2014. Coots was a Pentecostal pastor in Kentucky who was featured in the National Geographic Channel reality television show Snake Salvation. The show documented the lives of people who practice snake handling for religious reasons.
Coots was a third-generation snake handler who had been bitten by snakes nine times before his fatal bite, according to some sources, while others state eight times. He had lost part of a finger from a previous bite in 1998 and had been nearly killed by another bite in 1993. Despite these close calls, Coots was fearless in his faith and continued to handle venomous snakes in his church services. He believed that a passage in the Bible suggests that poisonous snakebites will not harm believers as long as they are anointed by God.
On the day of his fatal bite, Coots was handling three rattlesnakes during a service at his church, the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus' Name. He was bitten on his right hand, lost consciousness, and was taken home. Coots's family refused anti-venom treatment, citing religious reasons, and he died about two hours after the bite. His death received media coverage, as he was a well-known figure in the typically media-shy serpent-handling community.
Coots's approach to snake handling was influenced by his strong religious convictions and his desire to educate the outside world about the practices of his faith. He was arrested multiple times for possessing and transporting illegal snakes but continued to advocate for the protection of snake handling under the religious freedom provisions of the US Constitution. His death shone a light on the lethal tradition of religious snake handling, which persists despite the health and legal risks involved.
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Female snakes have claws to grip males during mating
Snake handlers, whether professionals or religious practitioners, face significant risks when dealing with venomous snakes. Herpetologists, for instance, have advanced degrees in biology and undergo reptile-specific training to learn about safe handling, identification, and behaviours of snakes.
Now, while female snakes do not use their spurs during mating rituals like their male counterparts, they still possess claws. These claws are typically smaller and less pronounced in females compared to males. The male's larger and more curved spurs are essential for successful mating, as they play a role in stimulating the female and securing her during the act.
The spurs, also known as pelvic spurs or vestigial legs, are external protrusions found near the cloaca in certain snake species. They are composed of remnants of the femur bone, which is then covered by a corneal spur or a claw-like structure. These claws are not used for locomotion but have various other functions.
In the case of female snakes, these claws or spurs can provide assistance in gripping branches in arboreal species or digging tunnels in ground-dwelling species. So, while the male snakes' spurs are crucial for mating, female snakes' claws or spurs serve a different purpose, aiding in mobility and navigation through their environment.
Additionally, male snakes have two penises, known as hemipenes, and they can use either one during mating. The male employs a series of jerks, strokes, punches, and caresses to encourage the female to lift her tail, granting him access to her cloaca.
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