Simple Snake-Catching Snare
Hi, All!
This is my first Instructable... So please - Be gentle. ;) I've gotten so many great ideas and so much help from the Instructables.com website over the years, that I figured I'd try my hand at the opposite end, and maybe help someone else out.
I live in the Southwest Desert and in the summertime, out come the snakes - ALOT - of snakes. Sometimes they simply pass through our yard, very neighbor-ly like, and are never seen again. Others, either have it in mind that this would be a good place to set up housekeeping (which usually conflicts with my pet snake's food supply) or are of a venomous nature and, because of our kids and other pets, cannot be allowed to stick around.
In this area, there are mainly four (4) types of native snakes: Gopher, King (Both Non-Venomous and usually very docile,) Mohave Green and Western Rattler (Both Venomous and sometimes aggressive.)
** King snakes actually make excellent pets if you have the inclination. Especially for first-time snake parents. **
So... This instructable came from necessity as well as hobby. Hope you enjoy!
Please keep in mind that catching/attempting to catch any snake, especially any venomous species, by untrained individuals always carries risks.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
> PVC PIPE (App. 4-6 ft. long)
-Again, please remember that King snakes and Gopher snakes, more often than not, just want to get away from you. I've never seen one strike at a human. However, the more aggressive Mohave Greens and Western Diamonbacks will usually take your presence as a threat (even if it's on YOUR porch.) They will usually give some sort of warning (i.e: hissing or rattling) when you get near them - BUT NOT ALWAYS!!!-
> ROPE (Thin, but sturdy. App. 2 1/2 X's the length of your PVC Pipe.)
> METAL WASHER (Any size, as long as it's diameter is larger than that of your PVC Pipe)
> ONE (1) BOLT (Any length, again - as long as it's length is enough to pass through your PVC Pipe sideways.)
> ONE (1) NUT (To secure bolt - so, obviously, appropriately sized...) :O)
PLEASE REMEMBER ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- BE RESPONSIBLE and HUMANE WHEN HANDLING/RE-LOCATING ANIMALS.
- LOCAL LAWS REGARDING WILDLIFE CAPTURE/RELOCATION VARY AND MAY APPLY.
- I ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR ANY LEGAL LIABILTIES and/or INJURIES RESULTING FROM THIS INSTRUCTABLE.
Thanks for taking the time to read my instructable. I hope it is helpful!
Fold the Rope in Half and Send/thread Through the PVC Pipe Longway.
(Down the length.)
Thread Both Loose Ends of the Rope Through the Washer and Tie in a Knot.
(This prevents the rope from getting lost down the PVC Pipe, as well as gives you a (sort-of) handle.)
Approximately 1 Inch Up the PVC Pipe...
(On the end where your loop of rope came out,) drill a hole and insert the bolt through, not only the pipe, but make sure you are between the two pieces of rope.
- Screw the nut onto the bolt. (This saves you from having to try and pull the looped end of the rope out, should it happen to get pulled too far up into the PVC Pipe.)
** USE CAUTION ** ...
...When attempting to capture a snake, use this tool similarly to a dog-catcher's snare.
S-L-O-W-L-Y and CAREFULLY slip the looped end of the rope over the snake's head about 2 inches down the neck and quickly pull tightly and firmly on your end (the 'handle/washer.')