Buzzmaster

  (12:56 PM)

Jackie Bibby, the Guinness Record holder for lying in a bathtub with the most rattlesnakes will be by at the top of the hour!

Jackie Bibby

  (1:01 PM)

Hi everyone, it's fun being a Guinness World Record holder! It's been an amazing journey. I never set out to be in the book, but since 1999, I've made it every year but one.

Dan (Detroit)

How many times have you been bitten?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:02 PM)

I've been bitten eight times. I've been involved handling rattlesnakes as a hobby and as a sport for forty years. We only count bites that are serious enough to require hospitalization.

evan (orlando)

Jackie, just one question, why rattlesnakes?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:03 PM)

The way I got involved was through rattlesnake roundups. They have a lot of roundups in Texas, where I'm from. I'm a thrill-seeker, so that's how I got started. It developed from there.

Mark (Hartford, CT)

What does your family and friends think of your record?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:03 PM)

Everyone thinks it's strange and unusual, but certainly they like bragging about it. They like to throw that record around a little bit.

Henry (Buffalo)

How long did it take you to set the record for most snakes in your mouth?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:05 PM)

I did it the first time on the Jay Leno show, and I did it with six snakes. I had tried it several times prior to going out to California. Of course, I'm about to go to Germany and try it with twelve. It stands at eleven right now, but I've done thirteen off the record. That's more that double than what I started with on the Leno show.

Fred (Atlanta)

How do you prevent the snakes from biting you in the tub?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:06 PM)

By remaining still! Rapid movement triggers the strike of a rattler. If you move rapidly, you will scare them and they will strike. If you stay still, with 87 rattlesnakes in your lap, they generally will not strike. Nothing to it!

Paul (Pittsburgh)

I am deathly afraid of snakes. What would you reccommend to help me get over my fears?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:07 PM)

Frankly, if you're really afraid of them, I don't know that you should try to overcome it. Becoming familiar with them will help. But if it's a phobia, it's difficult to overcome. I don't know that it's that important. If you're really afraid of snakes, stay away from them! But if you really want to get around them, acclimate yourself to them. Handle non-poisonous snakes and smaller snakes, and push your comfort zone.

Steiny (NYC)

What are most people's reactions when you tell them that you like to sit in a tub with rattlesnakes?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:08 PM)

"Are you crazy?" Frequently, it's not a question, it's a statement: "You are crazy!" Also, "Why?" is the most frequently asked question. The answer is, to prove that I can. Why do we do anything that presses the envelope.

Paul (Connecticut)

Do you put anything in your mouth to protect the inside before puttin the snakes in there?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:09 PM)

Not a thing! I don't know of anything that would work.

Vance (Philadelphia)

How is it being in the Guinness Book of World Records for something like this?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:10 PM)

It's fun and exciting. I get recognized on occasion. I got recognized by a man from London on top of the Empire State building. I have a trademark: a black derby hat, and people tend to recognize it. I get to sign a few autographs from time to time, that's kind of fun and exciting. I do have promotional pictures that I carry in my briefcase, and I sign those oftentimes on airplanes and in restaurants. I'm an egomaniac with an inferiority complex, so I like attention.

evan (alabama)

what type of work do you do when you are not chilling in the tub with rattlers?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:11 PM)

I work with individuals who have a problem with drug abuse and alcohol addiction. I'm a recovering person myself.

Steiny (NYC)

Have you ever had a near death experience?

Jackie Bibby

  (1:12 PM)

One time, many years ago, I was bitten in the thumb. The venom wasn't the problem--I got blood poisoning from an infection in the snake's mouth. I was in the hospital for ten days, and on the third day, they really had to work to combat the blood poisoning. It was a very painful experience, but I didn't feel like I was about to die.

Jackie Bibby

  (1:13 PM)

Thanks so much for your interest, and I'm glad people are curious. It keeps people shaking my hand!