Finding a dead snake on your property can be an unsettling experience. You likely want to dispose of it quickly and be done with the situation. But what is the proper way to get rid of a dead snake? Can you just toss it in the trash and be done with it? In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ins and outs of dead snake disposal, including safety considerations, legal implications, environmental impacts, cultural beliefs, and more.
Overview – Is Bin Disposal Appropriate?
The short answer is yes, you can put a dead snake in your regular trash bin. However, there are some important factors to consider before doing so. Improper disposal of a dead snake can pose health risks to sanitation workers, spread disease, harm scavenging wildlife, and potentially violate local regulations. Proper precautions should be taken to dispose of the snake safely and legally.
Key Factors to Consider with Dead Snake Disposal
If you encounter a deceased snake on your property, here are some key factors to think through before disposal:
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Safety – Is the snake truly dead? Avoid direct contact until you can confirm it poses no bite risk. Wear thick gloves when handling and be vigilant.
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Legalities – Some states protect certain snake species. Check local and state laws before disposing of venomous species.
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Disease Risks – Though minimal, dead snakes may harbor salmonella. Double bag before bin disposal.
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Scavengers – An uncontained dead snake may attract other animals Burying or securely containing it can prevent this.
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Environmental Impact – Consider composting or burying the snake to avoid landfill waste.
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Cultural Beliefs – Some cultures have rituals around dead snake disposal. Be respectful of traditions.
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Availability of Services – Many animal control companies will properly remove and dispose of dead snakes for a fee.
Safe Handling Practices
If disposing of the snake yourself, adhere to these safe handling guidelines:
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Wear thick gloves to prevent potential snakebite, even postmortem.
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Use a shovel or tongs to maneuver the snake into a doubled trash bag without direct contact.
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Seal the bag tightly so no parts are exposed during transport and disposal.
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Thoroughly wash your hands and sanitize any tools used after disposal.
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Monitor the disposal area for several days for any sign of wildlife scavenging.
Recommended Disposal Methods
Assuming no special circumstances around the species, here are some recommended disposal methods:
Trash Bin – The most convenient option in most cases. Double-bag the snake securely before placing it in an exterior bin for garbage collection.
Burial – Bury the snake >2 feet deep in an isolated area of your property, avoiding any water sources or critically important flora. Mark the spot lightly.
Professional Removal – Hire a wildlife removal specialist to safely contain and dispose of the snake for you via incineration or mass cremation services.
Composting – In rural areas, a sealed snake compost can allow for safe decomposition. Ensure the compost reaches sufficiently high internal temperatures.
Donation – Some universities and research labs accept deceased snake donations for scientific study and educational purposes.
What to Avoid
Some disposal methods are unsafe or illegal:
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Tossing the unbagged snake directly into the garbage truck or dumpster
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Putting the snake in a recycling bin or compost heap accessible to others
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Burying certain protected snake species without proper permits
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Burning or incinerating the snake yourself in urban residential areas
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Leaving the intact dead snake exposed on your property
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Disposing of the snake in or near any shared water sources
Regional Norms and Regulations
Rules around dead snake disposal vary regionally:
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Australia strictly regulates disposal to control invasive predators and disease.
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Parts of the U.S. prohibit burying venomous snake species without a permit.
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Some U.K. areas require use of licensed animal disposal services for large snakes.
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Rural regions often have more flexible rules than urban areas.
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Local municipalities set many snake disposal codes and restrictions.
When in doubt, call your city or county waste management authorities to identify any regulations in your area before disposing of a dead snake on your premises.
Cultural Considerations
Some cultures have spiritual beliefs or superstitions around handling deceased snakes. For example:
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Many Native American tribes bury snakes pointing East to West to honor the direction of life.
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In Buddhist traditions, snakes represent rebirth. Burying them honors this cycle.
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An ancient Roman myth claimed snakes originated from Medusa’s severed head. Proper burial appeased her spirit.
When possible, discretely ask around your community to identify any cultural traditions to consider at your disposal site.
The Environmental Impact
Though not the top criteria, it’s ideal to choose disposal methods that minimize the snake’s environmental footprint.
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Burying or composting recycles nutrients back into the local ecosystem.
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Natural decomposition allows safe reintegration of organic material.
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Mass cremation services prevent landfill waste accumulation.
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Invasive snake species may require fully secured disposal methods.
Evaluate options that limit contamination and unnecessary resource use in your region.
Key Takeaways
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It is generally safe to dispose of a dead snake in your rubbish bin if properly contained.
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Follow all local regulations and exercise caution when handling deceased snakes.
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Double-bagging and securely sealing the snake prior to disposal is essential.
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Burying, composting, and professional cremation services offer environmentally friendly disposal alternatives to consider.
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Be mindful of cultural traditions and community norms that may influence snake burial practices.
With proper precautions, disposal of a dead snake encountered on your property can be managed safely and conscientiously. Evaluate the unique circumstances in your area and always defer to expert guidance if any concerns arise.
Bitten by a Rattlesnake
A rattlesnake bit one of our friends in her front yard at night as she walked through the bushes to get to her mailbox. The police caught the snake, cut off its head, and threw the head in the trash can when they got there. On the way to the hospital in the ambulance, a worker saw the snake’s body writhing in the pail where it had been put. “Is it still alive?” she asked. Our friend peered into the bucket and confirmed that the body of the snake was headless. Reflex action left the snake writhing for several hours after its death.
What about the Head?
That being said, what about the head? If someone reached into the trash can to take something out and touched the head, they might have also touched the fangs, either by accident or because a fang hit them.
Krait researcher Bryon Shipley says, “It is a known fact that one of the interesting physiological oddities of low metabolism animals, such as snakes and other reptiles, is that tissues like nerve and brain cells die very slowly.” Bryon says that removing a person’s head does not kill the brain, which may still be able to control eye movements, jaw movements, venom gland compression, and even tongue flicking for an hour.
Decapitation as a method of euthanasia is not recommended without the concurrent destruction of the brain as well. “There is an old saying,” says Bryon, “that ‘rattlesnakes never die until sundown. ’ Which exemplifies the slow process of death and the danger of envenomation due to nerve reflex impulses. ”.
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FAQ
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