Almost got tagged LOL

Well it had to happen LOL. Even tho I swear Baby is one of the most relaxed balls ever hatched, she went for me yesterday. Having tons of experience with other pets as well as a few of my own kid's that went through the "bite Momma" stage I'm fast as lightning and she missed me (or wasn't really trying all that hard).

I think it was a combination of handling her earlier in the day than I usually do as well as the first signs of yet another shed (3 sheds in 2 months of ownership does seem a lot). I think as well I was in a bit of a hurry to tidy up her bin and add in the humid hide and may have been moving my hands faster than I usually do around the snake. Anyways, more my fault than the snake's.

Does bring up the thought tho that many of us new owners will eventually get nipped at (anything with teeth will nip someday) so a bit of advice from experienced people might be a good thing to explain how they bite and why as well as what is appropriate to do if the snake does not immediately let go.

What we've told our kids as they handle Baby too (under supervision) is this....handle the snake quietly and with slow hand movements...do not go direct to her head but rather let her first feel your hand elsewhere....if she nails you don't fling her around....if she doesn't immediately let go put the snake and the body part she's attached to under a stream of cold water for a second....clean any puncture with soap and hot water

Is this about right as far as a basic plan. I'm a big believer in planning ahead rather than just reacting to things in the moment, especially when kid's are involved.


~~Jo~~

Hopefully Baby was just warning you the the service was not up to its standards. Those little boogers are so fast. I guess that's why it's a good idea to pay close attention to their body language when handling. Of course being the mother of 4 will definitely hone your reflexes. Having to catch the odd child falling from the counters in search of candy, or to grab a favorite toy before it's lost down the toliet.

I tell everyone ... if you are going to handle snakes frequently, sooner or later you're going to get bit ... the more snakes and the more often you handle them, the better your chances .... snakes are wild animals and that's just what they do.

Just learn to know your animal and read it's posture .... it's a snake, you certainly are the smarter animal .... don't let it get one over on ya ;)

As far as what to do when you get bit .... in 25 years I've only had a couple of instances where the snake (all pythons) bit and did not let go right away (and I get bit ALL THE TIME) .... the best thing you can do with ball pythons is wait it out ... running water, alcohol, etc will not work if the snake does not want to let go ... sooner or later they will release, it's their instinct to do so.

As far as the shedding ... 3 times in 2 months is not a lot for a young BP ... at that age they are growing faster than they ever will!

-adam

It seems like my ''almost tagged'' incidents are increasing alot(must be the warm weather...ha).....expecially on feeding day, they just go for anything now :D