If you’re a snake lover and want to make your favorite pet a reptile figurine, making a clay snake is an easy way to do so. It’s a fun activity that teaches kids how to work with clay, and it also provides them with an opportunity to make realistic reptile replicas.
How to Handle a Snake
When it comes to handling a snake, there are several different techniques that you can use. Some are more effective than others, and it’s important to know which ones will be the most suitable for your snake.
First, consider the size and temperament of the snake you’re dealing with. Some small snakes, such as garter snakes or garden snakes, are often more difficult to handle than other reptiles. They may not be able to handle your hand’s pressure or might even bite you.
Secondly, keep in mind that snakes are not toys; they’re dangerous animals and can have negative effects on your mental and physical health. This is why it’s best not to try and catch a snake with your bare hands unless you’re an expert.
You should always cover the snake before you pick it up and move it into a holding container. This will help to reduce the chances that it’ll bite you or injure itself.
Another option is to use a net. A long stick or similar object can be attached to a net and used to capture the snake in place as it crawls inside. Then you can humanely remove it from the environment and relocate it to a safe location.
When catching a snake, it’s important to remember that it can carry Salmonella bacteria, so it’s best not to handle a reptile that is infected with the disease. The bacteria can be transferred to anything that the snake touches, including its enclosure furniture, husbandry tools or its food, so it’s important to wash your hands before and after every handling session.
Then, if you’re concerned about the safety of your pet, consider taking it to a handling course where experts will show you how to safely and effectively deal with snakes. This will help you to learn the correct ways to handle your pet, which will improve its overall quality of life and give you more confidence when interacting with it.
Lastly, it’s a good idea to understand how your snake’s body temperature changes as you handle it. Smaller snakes heat up and cool off much more quickly than larger ones do, so it’s vital to be careful when handling them.
A final tip: Whenever handling your snake, be sure to wear gloves. Not only will this reduce the risk of infection, but it will also protect your hands from being damaged while working with it.
Then, when you’re ready to make a clay snake, start by opening your palms and forming a V-shaped shape with your thumbs on each side of the palms. You can use your index fingers to form the base of the snake’s mouth, and your ring and middle fingers to form its head and eyes.