FAQ'S
1What do you do with the animals once you trap them?
This all depends on the type of animal and the disposition and health of the animals.
2What is the most common snake you come across?
This varies on the time of year, early spring it's garter snakes and black racers, mid spring thru early summer it's banded water snakes and yellow rat snakes, mid summer until end of season it's copperheads and water snakes, after the first of august it would be copperheads. The most common snakes I find in homes are the yellow rat snakes and corn snakes. The top 5 as far as numbers of captures are banded water snakes, black racers, yellow rat snakes, garter snakes, copperheads, also several red belly water snakes
3What is the most physically painful experience of your career?
Copperhead bite, April 30, 2001, on the pad of my ring finger, left hand. The fang met the bone. I was reaching to pick up a piece of wood and she bit as I lifted it and her head at the same time. My first thought was that a nail had punctured my finger, but, to be sure, I turned the wood over and there she was. Her fang was caught on her lower lip because of my pulling away, and there was so much venom in my finger that some of it dripped out with my blood. That was the most pain I have ever experienced. Other than that I have broken a few bones including my heel on my left foot, a spider bite in my left ear canal, that hurt a little. And a few bites and scratches here and there.
4What is the biggest misconception about snakes?
That differs, but mostly that ALL snakes are venomous or dangerous, but only a very few in are area are, only 6 in the state out of 28speices. the treatment for snake bites have come a long way since the introduction of crofab anti venin , used for all north American pit vipers this serum has and will save a lot of lives. Some people say that a snakes will "chase you" that is not true a snake might want to go the same direction as you, but they never chase people. The most important thing that you can do when you see a snake of ANY kind, is to call a professional, because when you try killing a snake you put yourself in close contact with this animal and stand a greater chance of being bitten. It is wiser to leave a snake alone than to have any contact with it at all.
5Have you ever thought about or wanted to do a reality wildlife show on TV?
Yes and no, yes because I like what I do, I really like to inform and educate people with my knowledge and stories. No, because I'm not pretty enough for TV.
6Is it true that you deal with some of the deadliest animal situations, but you suffer from arachnophobia? (Fear of spiders)
I'm not really scared of spiders, to do what I do you have to be somewhat fearless, so I'm not scared of them, I just do not like them, at all… but, I can grab one of those big garden spiders righte off it's web, done this many times ( because I'm in control). But I do get the shivers when I'm under a home and I feel one crawling on my neck .So…. I'm not really scared they just give me the creeps!
