Question for reptile eaters

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I was wondering if any reptile eaters take extra precautions against salmonella or other possible diseases on the skin. Our Herp TA said that he got it from improper washing from one of his personal herps and would not wish it on anybody, and I thought how dangerous it would be in a survival situation.

Any comments about how you do it? I have no reptile experience up here.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

I've never taken special precautions when handling my snakes, and never gotten sick from it. When I eat reptile, I do make sure it's cooked very thoroughly.

 

[perchjerk]

Yeah same here. I havent done anything special cept make sure i cook them really well. It doesnt hurt to be careful though. :thumbup:

 

[Mannlicher]

well, I DO skin the dang things before I eat them, and I make sure I have washed my hands.

 

[desmobob]

Wash your hands well after handling any wild reptile. When I was a kid, my buddy and I found a great place to catch turtles. After handling them for a few days in a row, my buddy got extremely sick. The doc said it was salmonella from handling the turtles. Forty or so years later, we still talk about the time he got "turtle fever."

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[Shoki]

I'm a sucker for frog legs but I'm always afraid to cook them when camping. I've considered bringing a small tube of alcohol sanitizer to clean my hands with after handling them. I'd hate to get really sick in the woods.

 

[nemoaz]

Same techniques I use for eggs.... or meat from mammals.... or birds ... or fish.

Eggs are much more likely to have salmonella I've heard.

Cook it well, wash often, take care not to cross contaminate (ie using the dirty knife that you used to skin the snake with again to cut the snake meat after it's cooked.... remember to get the knife hot enough to kill anything just like you're doing with that meat).

 

[mrgreen]

Anytime I'm cooking while camping, I heat water (to a boil if it's not treated). Enough to clean after prep, and after eating. I use the soap "leaves" by sea-to-summit, alcohol-based hand cleaners are a poor second choice for cleaning/ decon (but helpful for firestarting).'Course, that's for fish, not herps.

 

[PayetteRucker]

I've had pet reptiles and amphibians all my life, never had issues.

 

[quick kill]

I never have before...but it's probably not a bad idea. That would be a bad way to die in the wood's.

 

[Damn_Animal]

I have always been told that when eating reptiles like others have mentioned its important to skin it if possible and cook it till its well done.

 

[Joezilla]

none of my reptile buddies have contracted it before, even the guys who work at the museum in the animal care room. I guess its just a question of sanitation and washing hands. I hear hand sanitizer kills it too but I that is just by word of mouth.

 

[Shoki]

Just like drinking straight from streams, I guess the smart thing to do is to lay off unless there is nothing else. Then again, I'm sure there are nasties you can get from handling dead furry critters too. We need a microbiologist, STAT!