Tricks to getting a reptile to release their bite?

Hey folks,

As all of us know, owning reptiles (or any animal, for that matter) means you're going to get bit at one point in time. I was "fortunate" enough to have an adult savannah monitor who's on a diet latch on to my finger that, apparently, looked and smelled absolutely delicious.

I've been working with various herps my entire life, and am no stranger to getting tagged by a snake from time to time. However (until today) I'd only had a ball python bite and hold on. I've always been a "wait it out" type of person, but I can't say that this particular bite was very pleasant. Not worse than what an amped up bearded dragon has done to be, but still not comfortable!

I've read that many people will hold a cottonball or rag soaked in rubbing alcohol up to the nose to get them to release, as this stings the mucous membranes but doesn't harm the animal. Any one have any other suggestions or success with this method? I've heard the stories of holding the animal under water until they release for air, but I was hoping for something a little more "gentle" than that in the case I'm ever in this situation with a larger reptile again.

Thanks!

Mint Listerine has been said to work very well for Brian ant BHB.


Sent From an Enclosure

m Mint mouthwash does work,
I know this from personal experience.

Here I was hoping you'd have a "rapid response needed" at the beginning. XD

But, at the last show I was at when a very small Children's Python decided to bite someone (the boy looked to only be about 8 and wasn't phased in the slightest, too) he put some hand sanitizer on his finger and held it to its nose and it released. So I have seen that rubbing alcohol does work, at least for snakes.

I know mouthwash but not sure what kind or if it doesn't matter, because I've personally never used that method.

I use a cool water spray bottle and when one of my snakes bit me I sprayed it with the bottle and it released quick, now I've only had to do that once so I don't know if it works everytime or if it just worked for that snake.

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Originally Posted by Neal

I know mouthwash but not sure what kind or if it doesn't matter, because I've personally never used that method.

I use a cool water spray bottle and when one of my snakes bit me I sprayed it with the bottle and it released quick, now I've only had to do that once so I don't know if it works everytime or if it just worked for that snake.

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I was wondering if that would work, actually. Maybe something to keep in mind, at least!

I've only had a snake latch onto me a few times, but I just sprayed them with the spray bottle, since it was right there in the reptile room and they let go.

I must be lucky. never had an animal bite and hang on yet. They always seem to figure out that the arm in question is not going to fit in thier mouth very wel. Good info though.

Rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and sprayed water all failed to work with my king snake when she grabbed my finger - she was in food mode, it wasn't just a bite, it was grab, wrap my wrist with her tail, and start trying to swallow. A few drops of white vinegar on a cotton ball waved in front of her nose finally convinced her to let go.

I've never been tagged by any of my snakes to date (over 15 years now) so I guess I'm pretty lucky as well. I've always thought I would wait it out if ever, but its good to know there are some "let go" remedies out there. I may feel froggy and take one for the team and test out the 3 remedies. Who knows... :rolleye2:

Good info.... Thanks...:gj: