Do you want to get rid of snakes from the garden, or just want to observe these amazing creatures up close? Know that it is not impossible to catch a snake, even a layman can do it. Snakes can be dangerous, but by taking basic precautions, you can catch snakes with minimal risk.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Catching a Snake
Step 1. Catch the snake with the net
You can use a long, skinny object, such as a badminton or tennis racket, or a long broom handle attached to a mosquito net. When you see a snake, act immediately. Place the net in front of the snake's head and lead it in. The object used to tie the net should be long enough so that there is a safe distance between your body and the snake while you are trying to catch it. As soon as the snake enters the net, immediately lift the net so that the snake cannot get out.
- Make sure the net is large enough for the size of the snake to be caught.
- Placing the net in front of the snake's head is effective because the animal will perceive it as a safe place so that it is willing to creep in.
- Approach the snake calmly and carefully. If you run and make a lot of noise, it will make the snake run away quickly, or worse, bite you.
Step 2. Use a trash can and a broom
How to catch this snake is simple and you don't need to make direct contact with it. Take a large trash can and roll it over. Use the broom to drag the snake into the trash can. After that, take the trash to where you want to release the animal.
Step 3. Pinch the snake
Do this method by placing a stick that has a forked end just behind its head. The amount of pressure should be adjusted to the size of the snake, but must be strong enough to make it unable to move its head, without hurting it.
You can use a special snake catching stick to catch snakes more effectively than a regular stick
Step 4. Use objects in your home to catch snakes
If a snake has infiltrated your home and you want to get rid of it immediately, you need to act quickly using the things you have in your home. For example, take an old shirt, knead it, then toss it over the snake's head and upper body. Usually, the snake will be frightened and snuggle under the cloth.
Without wasting time, place the pillowcase on top of the shirt. Pull the edges of the pillowcase along the floor, scooping up both the shirt and the snake. You can also do this with a lingerie pouch if it's big enough and you have the guts and know for sure that the snake isn't venomous
Method 2 of 3: Creating and Using a Snake Trap
Step 1. Use sticky traps
These traps are fairly common and inexpensive. You can buy it at almost any supermarket. The trap is a box with glue on the bottom. Inside the box you will need to put bait to lure the snakes in and the glue will keep them from getting out. For bait you can use frozen rats that can be purchased at the pet store or regular eggs from the grocery store.
- Make sure you check the glue trap regularly. The snake caught in the trap is still alive, but unable to move and after a few days in this state it risks starvation.
- Use a trap large enough for the snake to be caught. If the trap is too small, the snake has a chance of escaping by dragging the glue trap. It also has the potential to kill snakes.
- Use vegetable or olive oil to remove the snake from the glue trap. Pour vegetable or olive oil on the snake's body attached with glue. The oil will remove the stickiness of the glue and allow the snake to glide away unharmed.
Step 2. Make your own trap
You can make a trap using a plastic bottle (2 liter bottle), bait, and scissors. Clean the bottle so it doesn't emit an odor that can scare off snakes. Make a hole big enough for the snake to get into the bottle. Once the snake eats the bait, its body becomes too large to crawl out of the same hole as before.
Step 3. Use a small fish trap
Wire traps used to catch small fish are very effective at catching snakes. Place some eggs to lure the snake into the trap. The animal will find a way to get in, but it will have a hard time getting out of the trap after devouring all the eggs.
Method 3 of 3: Catching a Snake by Hand
Step 1. Make sure you are dealing with a harmless snake
All snakes can bite if provoked, but some bite and inject venom at the same time. It may be difficult for someone who is inexperienced with snakes to tell the snake species just by looking at them. So, be careful. If you suspect a snake is venomous, do not try to catch it by hand. Here are some types of venomous snakes that can be found in Indonesia:
- Welang snake. The welang snake, which has the Latin name Bungarus fasciatus, has yellow and black striped skin. It can reach 1.5 meters in length and its venom contains neurotoxins that can kill humans. Welang snake habitat is mountainous areas with an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. However, this snake is also often found in forest or swamp areas.
- Weling snake (Bungarius candidus). Weling snakes are almost the same as welang snakes, but have a smaller body with black and white stripes. It is about 1 meter long and is commonly found in the Cirebon and Indramayu areas. Weling snakes are not aggressive snakes, but they do not hesitate to attack if they feel pressured. This snake likes dry and hot forest locations, shrubs, plantations or agricultural land.
- Javan cobra (Naja Sputatrix). The cobra is also called a spoon snake because it can straighten and flatten its neck so that it resembles a spoon. The Javan cobra can reach a length of 1.85 meters. This type of snake can be found on the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Komodo, Alor, Lomblen, and possibly the surrounding islands. The Javan cobra will inject neurotoxin venom into its prey.
- Earth snake (Calloselasma rhodostoma). Earth snakes are the most dangerous type of the venomous viper family. This snake spreads in Southeast Asia and Java. They are not very large (about 76 cm on average, females can be longer) and tend to be fat. The back is reddish brown (or pink) and is decorated with 25–30 pairs of dark brown triangular patterns, alternating with yellowish or whitish hues. The venom contains hemotoxin toxins that will make the body feel hot like burning. You have to be careful when you see it.
Step 2. Handle the snake carefully
Catching snakes by hand is a bit more complicated, and should be done with care. However, if you don't have any equipment or net to work with, you can catch a snake with your bare hands. Use some object to distract the snake, such as a stick. Grip the tail tightly and lift the snake into the air. Keep the front of the body flat on the ground, but keep your legs and body as far away from the snake as possible. Immediately put the snake in a pillowcase or sack.
If you know how to approach a snake safely, try gripping the back of its head to minimize the chances of it biting you. However, getting so close to the snake's head is a bit risky. If you decide to use this method, it may be a good idea to have a special tool, such as a snake catcher, that can hold its head on the ground before you grab it with your hands
Step 3. Don't forget to wear gloves when touching the snake
Besides being able to bite, snakes also carry harmful bacteria. Make sure you wear gloves to prevent the risk of contracting a bacterial infection from snakes.
If you don't have gloves, be sure to wash your hands properly after touching a snake. Do not touch food or other people before washing your hands thoroughly
Tips
- If you are afraid of being bitten by a snake, wear thick gloves as most snake teeth will have a hard time penetrating the tough skin. However, in some cases, the snake's teeth can penetrate the glove (depending on the type of snake). Keep in mind that wearing gloves can reduce your dexterity.
- Snakes can be caught without any distraction methods, but it is easier and safer to distract the snake before handling it. Also, this method allows the snake's head to point opposite you, allowing you to grip it with your hands.
- If you can't find a place to release the snake, you can put it in an old pillowcase and take it to the right place. If you're using a car, don't forget to tie the ends of the pillowcases tightly so the snakes don't get loose and roam around in the car!
- Be sure to handle the snake very carefully and try not to irritate it. Snakes are afraid of you, and in most cases, you can drive them out of the garden without even touching them.
- If you decide to keep a captured snake, make sure you put something heavy on the lid of the terrarium as snakes are notoriously good at escaping. Alternatively, you can use a sliding lid that has a lock, or even a lid with a latch and you just have to lift it if you want to open it.
- Catching snakes is risky and should not be done by children.
- When holding the snake, the animal may try to escape from your hand. This is natural. Once you pick up the snake, some species, such as the garter snake, will try to jump out of your hand. Try to keep your hands about 25-30 cm from each other, and rotate your hands so that the snake always has a place to crawl and doesn't fall to the ground. You can also allow the snake to crawl through between outstretched fingers.
- Do not kill snakes unless absolutely necessary, such as threatening the safety of children or pets. Instead of killing snakes, try contacting the appropriate authorities.
- If you have frequent snake problems, consider getting professional training. You can look for local courses that offer classes on dealing with venomous snakes. This knowledge will be very useful if you intend to become a snake charmer.
- Don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly because snakes and other reptiles can carry bacteria. Although usually only a minor problem, there have been cases of serious illness and even death in humans who come into contact with reptiles infected with the bacteria.
Warning
- Snake heads are very flexible. Don't try to hold the head as some snakes (especially some venomous species) can bite when held in this way.
- Remember that snakes are wild animals and can behave in unexpected ways when they feel threatened. Having you around him can be considered a threat. Be sure to be very careful when catching snakes.
- Try not to catch a snake just by its tail. Most snakes can't bend their body to bite your hand, but they can easily bite their legs or groin. Use a long stick or other long object to hold the first 30 cm of the body. If you are forced to hold onto the snake's tail, try to do so firmly and carefully and keep it as far away from your body as possible.
- There may be a ban on keeping wild snakes in your area. In addition, wild snakes may fear the conditions of the cage you have prepared for them, and go on a hunger strike. If you keep a wild snake for more than 30 days and then decide to release it, it will have a hard time surviving in the wild. So, make sure you are ready to take responsibility for caring for and caring for these cold-blooded creatures before making a decision.
- The wrong advice can be fatal. If in doubt, do nothing.
