Snake Hooks

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   I made my very first snake hook back in the 70's after watching the blue peter when john noakes was looking for black mambas in Africa.

After the trip John was in the studio and told how he made his hook that he used on the trip.

First take two , three , or even four cardboard tubes from the middle of some kitchen paper towels. The more tubes you use the longer the John Noakes snake hook. Stick these together with Sticky back Plastic.

Next take a Twisty Pipe cleaner and attach this to the end of your tubes with some , sticky back plastic.

John successfully used this hook throughout his herping trip and coaxed mamy a mamba from the trees.

If you're going to make this hook please make sure yopu have a responsible adult to take you through how to use it

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Alan Hyde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1437	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alan Hyde Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2007 at 4:27am
	I made my very first snake hook back in the 70's after watching the blue peter when john noakes was looking for black mambas in Africa. After the trip John was in the studio and told how he made his hook that he used on the trip. First take two , three , or even four cardboard tubes from the middle of some kitchen paper towels. The more tubes you use the longer the John Noakes snake hook. Stick these together with Sticky back Plastic. Next take a Twisty Pipe cleaner and attach this to the end of your tubes with some , sticky back plastic. John successfully used this hook throughout his herping trip and coaxed mamy a mamba from the trees. If you're going to make this hook please make sure yopu have a responsible adult to take you through how to use it
	O-> O+>

Deano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 133	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2007 at 2:04pm
	Gemma Not the head or the neck. In the old days it was always hold a snake by the head'n'neck, now we know this can cause fractured vertebrae. No the fork was just for gentle persuasion and when I say a twig, I mean a twig. I do get concerned about people using hooks to pin snakes (of any kind). I now use a home made hook based on TPs model and just for lifting snakes from the middle. I got this advice from an American guy (first name Tom, can't remember his second name) who dealt with snakes in the U.S. I think they used the term 'pest control'. He also said if you do handle venomous snakes, it's not a matter of if you get bitten just when....
	Deano Better to be lucky than good looking.

Uncle Herp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Uncle Herp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2007 at 3:53am
	I wish to thank everybody here who have answered my question. I spoke to a guy at one of the hardware stores and he recommended an epoxy called Epoxyclay - Steel (the package claims that it has steel in them). It is practically like the modelling clay with 2 layers. Cut and mix them together just like those modelling clays until the 2 layers mix together nicely and apply. I fill the end of the shaft (of the golf club) with the epoxy and practically stuff the end of the hook into the shaft. It dries in 3-5 minutes and cures completely in 24 hours. When cured it looks and feels like a rock !!! I believe I have found the solution to my snake hook jointing problem.
	Uncle Herp Malaysia Herpetology Club Malaysia Fauna. com uncleherp@malaysiafauna.com

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2007 at 4:20am
	Excellent stuff Uncle Herp, I'm glad you found a solution.

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2007 at 11:20am
	hi I am suprised any one uses snake hooks as we are not exactly dealing with Tiger snakes King browns or Tiapans that pump about a pint of venom into you unless less some one has let some go that I dont know about I always found a willow twitch alright. I must point out not for pleasure . keith

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2007 at 2:05pm
	I think Uncle Herp might be dealing with things a little more risky than adder Keith. I use hooks for two reasons. One hook for tin lifting, saves my back and also saves me putting my hand in vegetation I have heard of at least one consultant who got bit whilst tin lifting and also a very fine hook for controlling adders heads. Though mostly it is OK to just tail adult adder, it is nice to be able to support their bodies if you need to lift them for some reason and of course with sub-adults, there is the risk of them turning back even when tailed so the hook adds a margin of safety.

Deano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 133	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Apr 2007 at 5:20am
	Someone has just brought me 2 hooks back from the States. 1 which is miles too big for over here. And another one which collapses down to the size of a biro! I think it is supposed to be a gimmick, but it would seem about the right size for English snakes and it folds down and can be kept in your top pocket. But a twig will do.
	Deano Better to be lucky than good looking.

Uncle Herp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Location: Malaysia Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Uncle Herp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Apr 2007 at 11:18pm
	Hi guys.... I use the snake hook mainly for herping. It is quite dangerous to poke one's hand into nook and crannies in the Malaysian jungle. As so, we use snake hooks. Even rat snakes can be quite aggressive here especially the wild ones. Although I don't keep hot herps, there are some friends that I know do. I make these hooks for them. As for me, the thrill of making the hooks myself is part of the fun. I even put labels on my hook that reads "UNCLE HERP SNAKE HOOK" and proud of my hand-made hooks. Each one is unique !!
	Uncle Herp Malaysia Herpetology Club Malaysia Fauna. com uncleherp@malaysiafauna.com

AGILIS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1689	Post Options Post Reply Quote AGILIS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Apr 2007 at 4:20am
	hi uncle Herp dont blame you using them when I lived in Australia like you the safest way was with about the longest ones you could get as I have been bitten a few times by lesser venomous ones and had a near miss by a tiger snake. keith