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  1. #1
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    signs of biting?

    What are the tell tale signs a snake will bite?

    And how do you tame your snake to be held? Maybe Im scared but I always feel like shes pissed when im trying to move her to get her poop and stuff out. I use a glove cuz i worry...

  2. #2
    BPnet Lifer Kaorte's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    In time you will be able to tell.
    With mine I notice they are pissed when they either go into a ball or pull their head back in a little S shape.
    Don't be afraid though! Just pick her up and hold her for 10 minutes a day (except for the two days after feeding). She will calm down
    ~Steffe

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran joshn6805's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    usually they will be super active, whipping there head around in the strike position. usually they strike when you are trying to pick them up out of there enclosure but once there out its very rare for them to bite the hand that holds them. you just have to be very patient and work with them. hold them for about 10 mins a day everyday for about 2 weeks then gradually start bumping the time you hold them up. that usually tames them down within a month or two. there are some out there that just will not calm down its one of the parts of owning snakes. you took on a responsibility when buying the snake that you would care for it regardless of its temparment, so you might as well get use to the fact that they can bite whenever they feel necessary, it will make life alot easier on you. the bites really arent bad at all you usually dont even feel it unless they hold on.


  4. #4
    Registered User First_Phantom's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    dont be scared man. like most animals i assume snakes can sense fear in a person. when they know your fearing them they become tense and edgy. better just be confident around ur snake is all. a couple bites here and there will cause very little physical damage. dont take it personaly she is just bein defensive.

  5. #5
    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    Quote Originally Posted by bdc873 View Post
    What are the tell tale signs a snake will bite?
    Little pips of blood on my hand
    Thomas "Slim" Whitman
    Never Met A Ball Python I Didn't Like

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to Slim For This Useful Post:

    771subliminal (03-12-2009)

  7. #6
    BPnet Veteran ScottyDsntKnow's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    The S shaped neck thing and being in a ball. Just get to know your animal, one of the best parts of this hobby, I've found, is the handling.

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    Re: signs of biting?

    so this picking her up everyday for 10 minutes a day for two weeks do i not feed her these weeks?

  9. #8
    BPnet Veteran ScottyDsntKnow's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    No, don't stop feeding her if she is eating. I try to handle my girl 2 or 3 times a week for about 15-30 minutes per session. When it gets warmer I will handle her more but I make it a rule to give her about 48 hours after eating to digest. Mine is really calm though, I can put her around the back of my neck and she tucks the end of her tail into my shirt collar to keep from falling and then just chills and looks around while I go about my business or I'll hold her or let her down on the rug to explore. Really, these animals make ridiculously good pets I'm still amazed sometimes...

  10. #9
    BPnet Senior Member anatess's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    It took me about 3 days to figure out the "strike pose". I had a stressed snake. You can just feel her tense up, raise her head rigid and pull back on an S-shape and look very alert. She went like that everytime there's fast movement around her head. But then, she never really struck. My husband would just put his palm open slowly and deliberately on top of her head and she would pull back into the "ball" and my husband would then just go pick her up and she starts to chill once she realizes we're not out to get her. After a few days of this, she got used to getting picked up. She still does the strike pose when she doesn't want to be bothered. She is a prissy chick!
    ----------------------------------
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  11. #10
    Registered User XGetSome's Avatar
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    Re: signs of biting?

    Quote Originally Posted by anatess View Post
    It took me about 3 days to figure out the "strike pose". I had a stressed snake. You can just feel her tense up, raise her head rigid and pull back on an S-shape and look very alert. She went like that everytime there's fast movement around her head. But then, she never really struck. My husband would just put his palm open slowly and deliberately on top of her head and she would pull back into the "ball" and my husband would then just go pick her up and she starts to chill once she realizes we're not out to get her. After a few days of this, she got used to getting picked up. She still does the strike pose when she doesn't want to be bothered. She is a prissy chick!


    LOL! The girl I bought back in December with a buncha other balls, hisses, does the strike positions like s shaped neck, etc. I figured heck I can handle her....I gave her a month. I then started to try and handle her.....she struck at me repeatedly. Then about a month later again I picked her up....was holding her, and I felt something tag my forehead....I was like "Oh no she didn't, this lil $%$%& didnt just bite my forehead" sure enough I had bloodspots on my forehead....lol

    Funny thing is I still lover her. She was Locked up last week after I added a male to her I gave her 3 months before introduction. Shes still as mean as the day I got her, but shes healthy.

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