if you get bitten???

[mattramsfan]

what do you do if u get bitten by ur bp... do u just sit there and let him do his thing... i would assume that if u pull his head u could hurt him/her.... i am not being bitten right now but im just asking cause i assume that it will happen one of these days... being a snake owner and all

[JLC]

Most bites from a ball python are a strike-and-release sort of action that happens so fast, you won't have to worry about what to "do." But on rare occasions, especially when a SFE (Stupid Feeding Error) is involved, they might bite and hang on. In that case, the safest thing to do is just to relax and wait it out. Their teeth curve back toward their throat, so if you try to pull your hand out, you'll not only rip up your own skin, you'll likely tear out teeth as well. The more relaxed you can be, the more the snake will think it has "killed" its prey and the sooner it will let go.

There are some methods that people will suggest to try and get them to let go. Most of them are bunk, in my opinion. Running water over their head is a popular one...may or may not work. Another method is to spray listerine into their mouths. I don't know for sure if that works, either...but when I took care of a burmese python for awhile, I did keep a squirt bottle of listerine nearby. I did get bit by the burm once (8' long at the time) and she held on for dear life. I didn't have the listerine at the time. Pouring water over her head did nothing except make her try to hang on tighter. I just waited it out and twenty minutes later she finally let go.

[cecilbturtle]

i would say it depends on the bite. i have had snakes bite me then just let go. i have had them "try" to let go but get stuck. just gently help them work free.

never ever ever pull a snake off you! if they dont let go just gently work their mouths forward to unhook the teeth.

i always expect to get bit. even from my snakes that have never shown any signs of aggression what so ever. i do this so that in the event i do get tagged i dont jerk my hand back so hard it hurts the snake.

ive kept snakes for 20 plus years, have worked in a large private pet store where they bred various species, and have spent time locally herping. i have been bit numerous times. more than half of those bites was my inexperience reading the snake. sometimes it hurts pretty bad but more often than not im surprised at how little it does hurt. so dont be too worried about it. hopefully it never happens to you but its part of game if you wanna keep snakes.

[cecilbturtle]

oops, sorry about those "winking" faces. those first two were mistakes.

[Highline Reptiles South]

I've heard that alcohol will make them let you...just the fumes... never tried it!

[corgigirl9]

I have heard the listerine trick too. Never tried it... although after thinking about it, it might not be a bad thing to have on hand

[Kinra]

I've only had a stupid feeding mistake once so far and I got her to let go by running her under water. I've heard listerine or rubbing alcohol works, but I think I'd rather wait it out than do that to my snakes. I've heard just misting them in the face is enough to get them to let go. Brain from SnakebytesTV says he's had a lot of success splashing listerine in their face.

[mattramsfan]

hmmm never would have thought linterine. but thank u all that replied. like i said PJ has never struck at me... and i have had him since 09 but im sure one day it will happen.... thanks again

[SlitherinSisters]

I did get bit by the burm once (8' long at the time) and she held on for dear life. I didn't have the listerine at the time. Pouring water over her head did nothing except make her try to hang on tighter. I just waited it out and twenty minutes later she finally let go.

*faints*

To the OP, I've been bitten twice, one was a feeding mistake. Put the rat in and started to fill his water dish before he struck the rat...yeah, good one right? Anyhow, both times I've been bitten they let go before I even realized what happened. I've heard the same ideas on how to get them to let go, water, alcohol, etc. I have no idea if they work, but it wouldn't hurt to try if you really wanted them off you!