New BP owner / Question about biting

[jsbennett76]

Hello. I just recently purchased my first snake. I choose a ball pyhton, and I love it. Its so gentle and shy, its hard to believe that its a snake. I did alot of research before I made the purchase, and from what I can tell the snake is really healthy and very comfortable being handled. Its just a baby ( about 10 inches), and I have already fed it once, and it took the food just fine.

My main concern is this........Will my new pet ever bite?

The reason I ask is because I have a 5 year old daughter who is just crazy about the snake! I cant believe how carefree she is with handling the snake. She has even kissed the snake on the head! ( Which I have told her not to do again!) It makes me so nervous. I have warned her that this is an exotic pet, and if it feels threatened or scared it can, and will bite. I have told her to avoid touching the head, and she only handles the snake under my supervision. I would just hate for the snake to bite her, mostly because I know it would break her heart if her new friend was to bite.
If any of you have been bitten by a ball python please reply and let me know the circumstances.

Is there anything in perticular that I should look for?

Are there times when the snakes are more prone to bite?

Any help at all would be apprecieted........thanks in advance.

[RGreen454ss]

My main concern is this........Will my new pet ever bite?

Is there anything in perticular that I should look for?

Are there times when the snakes are more prone to bite?

Any help at all would be apprecieted........thanks in advance.

It can

Classic "S" shape and hissing

Usually during and after feedings (Wait 2 days before you handle him and you should be fine)

When I first got a Ball Python, my wife then girlfriend decided to handle my BP after it ate (I wasn't in the room). It latched on to her arm pretty good. She said it didn't hurt to bad and I washed her arm real good.

[NickP]

As a baby BPs tend to be more aggressive. As they grow they will start trusting you more. Just stay away from the head and you'll be fine. If you can get the snake out of the tank then chances of it biting you are small. He might actually strike at something in close proximity (another person's hand for example) while in your hands so be careful not to drop him/her. Mine has that done many times.

P.S. Yours is only 10 inches? Wow, that's very small.

[frankykeno]

Welcome to BPNet and congrats on your purchase of a ball python.

Kids and snakes present some interesting situations. We have 4 kids of our own from age 6 to age 20 (really not a kid anymore lol). Each age group has it's own good and bad points when it comes to interacting with snakes. With younger kids there tends to be more issues with quick movement and squishing/gripping too tight. Just encourage your daughter to sit quietly with you supervising as the snake moves around on her lap. I'd avoid handling the day of feeding as the snake will be ready to eat and for 2 days afterwards. Also avoid handling when the snake is in a shed cycle (there's an excellent sticky on the shedding process here). Lastly, remember these are nocturnal snakes so sometimes taking them out during the daytime can trigger them to be grouchy as they were resting.

They are not major biters but of course can bite. If it helps you, we have 26 snakes, I've been bitten once, none of the kids have ever been bitten. Learn to know the snake and when it's extremely tense and just react accordingly. Make handling sessions short, calm and quiet. Don't hover over a snake, especially a young one, that makes you come across as a predator.

I think you'll do fine and sound like you're going to be a great snake family. She'll learn to enjoy and respect this new pet. My kids really love all our snakes and depending on age and ability, do quite a bit of work with them and the rat colony we have to feed them.

[Michael314]

I worked in a pet shop for a few years and every day I was bitten by a hamster, gerbil or mouse, and they hurt. BPs are generally friendly mine has never bitten or hissed. I kiss my snake on the nose, it doesn't bother it. It doesn't like having its head held and sometimes jumps when you brush against its head if you come from behind, but as long as you don't hurt it, it shouldn't bite.

[frankykeno]

Just as a normal hygienic precaution we don't allow the kids to kiss the snakes (nor do we for that matter). We also insist they wash up and use gel hand santizer after handling a snake or helping us clean or feed the snakes or rats. They also aren't allowed to handle a snake being quarantined for any reason.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My main concern is this........Will my new pet ever bite?

Not likely but yes it can happen this is why it is very important to know your animal and observe his body language.

Always wash your hand before handling – Avoid handling while in shed etc

Now in the event your BP would bite, this will be more of a chock than a painful experience, I would take a BP’s bite over some other animal’s bite any day.

[Brimstone111888]

I worked in a pet shop for a few years and every day I was bitten by a hamster, gerbil or mouse, and they hurt. BPs are generally friendly mine has never bitten or hissed. I kiss my snake on the nose, it doesn't bother it. It doesn't like having its head held and sometimes jumps when you brush against its head if you come from behind, but as long as you don't hurt it, it shouldn't bite.

You can run the risk of catching salmonella from kissing your snake. Especially direct to mouth transfer. I keep tons of Germ-x to prevent salmonella and I use it religiously.

[frankykeno]

You're still statistically at more risk to get salmonella from poorly handled food at your local fast food place or from your own countertop/cutting board. However, Jeff's point is well made. Kissing snakes isn't a good idea and can be a health issue especially for young kids, older folks or those with immune system issues.

We used to have one house rule about the kids and the pets...

"If it can lick it's own butt, we do NOT kiss that animal"

now I've added....

"If it can slither through it's own poop or pee, we do NOT kiss that animal".