1
00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:11,160
So today we're going to be demonstrating 

2
00:00:11,160 --> 00:00:14,720
the appropriate handling and restraint
 techniques for large constrictors.

3
00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:19,040
I will also be demonstrating health
 checks on large constrictors as well.

4
00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,760
Today, we have an emphasis
 on health and safety

5
00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:27,000
throughout during and appropriate
 handling and restraint techniques.

6
00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,360
Large constrictors
 can quite easily overpower

7
00:00:30,360 --> 00:00:32,360
even the most experienced handlers.

8
00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:34,440
So therefore, it's always important 

9
00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:38,160
that we must have somebody with us
 if the snake is over six foot.

10
00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:42,280
Some snakes that pose
 serious risks to human health

11
00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:45,280
can include African rock pythons,

12
00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:49,200
Burmese pythons, Indian
 pythons, green anacondas,

13
00:00:49,480 --> 00:00:52,880
larger boa constrictors
 and reticulated pythons.

14
00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:56,160
There are many reasons why we need to move

15
00:00:56,160 --> 00:00:59,440
and handle large constrictors
within private collections.

16
00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:02,280
We need to do this
 so we can move the animals

17
00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,520
from one enclosures to another
 in case the animal gets too large.

18
00:01:05,840 --> 00:01:09,600
We also need to be able to move the animal
 if we need to health check it

19
00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:14,280
and make sure its general wellbeing
 and welfare is maintained and also

20
00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:18,200
for cleaning measures within the enclosure
 and water provisions as well.

21
00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:23,680
When handling large constrictors
 or any snake, it's really important

22
00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:26,560
that we support the animal
 throughout the handling session.

23
00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:31,320
It's easier if we separate the animal
 visually into three separate sections.

24
00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:35,640
Starting from the head
 to round about where the shoulders will be

25
00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:40,840
then from the shoulders to the abdomen
 and then from the abdomen towards the back end of the tail. 

26
00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:42,000
When supporting the animal, 

27
00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:46,080
it's usually recommended that
 we support it on the second and third.

28
00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,960
So the head is free to do what it wants.

29
00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,080
This is only if the animal
 is not aggressive.

30
00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:53,440
If the animal is aggressive, 

31
00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,200
then additional handling and restraints
 techniques will need to be applied.

32
00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:58,040
So when handling 

33
00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:02,200
large constrictors as well,
 we must never place them around our necks.

34
00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:06,400
This is because they can constrict
 at any given point and restrict

35
00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,040
you from breathing. 

36
00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:12,440
This is a very dangerous trend
 that we see on social media and in movies,

37
00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,120
and it can have deadly consequences
 for the handler or keeper.

38
00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:18,600
As with health checking any 

39
00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:22,360
animal, it is important that we must
 wash our hands before we do so.

40
00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:26,360
This is so we do not pass
 any bacteria, viruses, fungi

41
00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:31,360
or any other pathogens from the animal
 and then from the animal to ourselves.

42
00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,400
It is also important
 that we remove any smells off

43
00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,160
our hands when dealing with snakes
 or any other reptile.

44
00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:42,640
This is because especially snakes
 have a fantastic sense of smell.

45
00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,120
So if you've been handling food
 or maybe eat them with rodents

46
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,120
or other small mammals, though,
 that could be able to smell it

47
00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:53,000
on your hands and potentially go for
 what's known as a food bite.

48
00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,480
Once we've washed our hands,
 is then important

49
00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,640
to assess the animal's behavior
 before we start handling.

50
00:02:59,960 --> 00:03:03,280
This is to ensure the safety of the animal
 and the keeper as well.

51
00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,400
We need to make sure that the animal 

52
00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,200
is displaying typical
 and normal signs of behavior.

53
00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:12,760
So if it's displaying anything
 like aggression or submission or hunger,

54
00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,080
then additional equipment may be needed.

55
00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,880
Once you have assessed
 the animal, it's that important

56
00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,840
to get the necessary equipment
 out and adorn your PPE. Once

57
00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,640
you've done this If the animal is over
 six foot for health and safety

58
00:03:26,640 --> 00:03:30,880
reasons, it's recommended that
 you get a helper as well to help you out.

59
00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,600
Even if the animal is docile, it is always
 useful to keep a snake hook to hand.

60
00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:38,440
So once you've assessed the situation, 

61
00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,840
will then be taking the animal
 out of the enclosure,

62
00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:47,440
so making sure that our helper is ready
 on standby, there we go.

63
00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,240
Do you just want to take that for me.
 Thank you very much.

64
00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,000
Way, there we go.

65
00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:57,160
So, as you can see
 with larger constrictors,

66
00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:00,080
sometimes a method of fours is needed.

67
00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:04,720
So it's all about supports so making sure
 that that animal feels nice and safe.

68
00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:10,240
So first off, we're going to
 check the head so the less invasive,

69
00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,840
the better. Snakes don't typically
 like the head being touched.

70
00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:18,840
So if we can visually see from afar,
 that's absolutely fine.

71
00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,720
So with large bodied constrictors

72
00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:27,240
like this, it's sometimes they rasp.

73
00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:30,600
This is just typical.
 They'll do it on the odd occasion.

74
00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:34,720
And this is just to tell the handler
 they're not really a massive fan of this,

75
00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,760
ok. So first, she's a little bit wrigley,
 so we're going to handle

76
00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:40,160
and restrain her properly. 

77
00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,200
So to do that, we must use
 our thumb on the head

78
00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:46,080
so we can control the head movements.

79
00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:49,680
So what we're just going to be looking at,
 going to look at the eyes,

80
00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,880
making sure that those are nice
 and clear and bright.

81
00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,440
Make sure there's no discharge
 or anything like that.

82
00:04:57,440 --> 00:04:59,600
Make there's no damage around
 the eyes as well.

83
00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,400
any stuck eye caps, that sort of thing.

84
00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,040
Then we're going to work ourselves down.

85
00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:08,480
So onto the top,
 we can see the nose again,

86
00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:12,200
making sure there's no discharge
 or anything like that.

87
00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:16,000
If the nostrils are bubbling,
 this is typically

88
00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:20,960
a sign of a URI,
 which is a upper respiratory infection.

89
00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,040
Usually the first signs as well.

90
00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:27,320
So once you've checked those, yep,
 they're nice and clear.

91
00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,320
We're also going
 to check the heat pits as well.

92
00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:35,960
So the holes on the front of the animal's face

93
00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:40,280
making sure, again, they're nice,
 not crusty or anything like that.

94
00:05:40,840 --> 00:05:45,640
We'll also be checking in the animal's
 tongue when she when it comes out.

95
00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:49,360
So tongues. There we go.
 That was one right there.

96
00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,720
So tongues should be nice and fast,

97
00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:57,080
if they are presenting a slow,
 elongated toungue flick.

98
00:05:57,520 --> 00:05:58,560
this is typically a sign 

99
00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,160
and then not best pleased
 with what's going on with the situation.

100
00:06:02,840 --> 00:06:05,040
So once we've checked the eyes,

101
00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:13,200
the nose and the mouth, it's
 then time to check the rest of the body. 

102
00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,280
So again, she's getting
 a bit strong isnt she,

103
00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,760
so once we've done that,
 we're going to check all the way down,

104
00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:24,160
making sure there are no lumps or bumps

105
00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:28,000
so holding the snake. OK.

106
00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:32,560
Yeah. Check your for any lumps,
 bumps, abrasions, anything like that.

107
00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,680
If we're checking raised scales
 so raised scales

108
00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,440
can be a sign of mite infestation,

109
00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:42,760
fungal infections as well.

110
00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:47,480
So we're checking all the way down. 

111
00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:52,520
No, seems absolutely fine. Yep.

112
00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:59,200
If the animal flinches or winces,
 anything like that, when you are

113
00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:03,000
health checking, it could be an indication
 that that part of the body

114
00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:06,240
has been injured
 that you can't really see. 

115
00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,120
So it's really important that we
 then take the animal to an exotic vet.

116
00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,200
OK, so I'll just swap with you.

117
00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:15,200
You could just hold the head for me.

118
00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:21,240
So once we've done
 that, we're going to check the cloaca.

119
00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:25,120
So the cloaca is
 where the excretery system

120
00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:27,560
and the reproductive system is found.

121
00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:31,400
It's the little opening right there.

122
00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,760
So what we're going to be looking for,
 again, with most things, any openings,

123
00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,600
is there any discharge? 

124
00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,120
Is there any bad smells,
 that type of thing?

125
00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,840
Sometimes, males, she's a female, though,
 but sometimes males

126
00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:48,920
have stuck sperm plugs as well.

127
00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:52,680
Maybe some damage to the hemipenes.

128
00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:59,200
But no, and just get your thumb
 and just pull it back ever so gently.

129
00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,440
Don't be don't be rough with them at all.

130
00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:07,520
Let's see if there's any excess feces,
 any mites, that kind of thing.

131
00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,880
No, oh, yeah, and that's

132
00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:14,920
absolutely fine. 

133
00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,400
So pop the card in the mouth that way,

134
00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:26,200
making sure it's
 open and then tilt it that way

135
00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:30,520
so we can see making sure
 there's no bad smells.

136
00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,400
There's no discharge
 or puss check in the front as well.

137
00:08:36,680 --> 00:08:38,800
Making sure there's no excess saliva.

138
00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:41,920
So if there was an excess saliva
 within the mouth,

139
00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:46,840
this could be a sign of a URI
 which is a upper respiratory infection.

140
00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:50,120
Also, if there was puss collecting

141
00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:53,880
in the mouth cavities
 under around the teeth and gums.

142
00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:59,040
This could also be a sign of Stamatis,
 which is also known as mouth rot.

143
00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:04,560
And then once we've health checked her,
 we can then write down on a health check

144
00:09:04,560 --> 00:09:08,320
sheet her weight, her age,
 that type of thing.

145
00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,320
If we found any disorders or diseases,

146
00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:15,000
if there are any cause for concern,
 that type of thing.

147
00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,600
Also, if the animal
 is on any medication as well.

148
00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,680
So today we've covered
 how to safely handle

149
00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:30,120
and restrain and health check
 large constrictors.

150
00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,840
This practice can be adopted
 for smaller snakes as well,

151
00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,240
but just with the larger
 snakes is just on a much larger scale.