I got constricted!

I was going to remove Ginger from her tub in the rack so I could clean a major urate she created; I and picked her up without approaching her head; as she's in my hands for about ten seconds before the deed. Then, all of a sudden, she grabs my thumb and starts constricting it!! She was REALLY latched onto me; I didn't panic, although it was (and still is) VERY painful. Mark ran over, peeled her jaws off of me, and as he did this they were sticking into his hand; there was nothing else we could do in a pinch as my thumb was already, seriously, beginning to turn purple (I am NOT dramatizing here.) Her constricting, was making her teeth dig into me.
I am not blaming her; yet, it is hard to blame myself here. I was just holding here, and didn't see any signs of a strike or an indication that she thought I was food. She was completely out of the tub and in both of my hands; this was NO defensive strike; it was a whole-body wrap-around constriction.
If nothing else, I hope that this post makes people a little more aware of their BPs; they are definately docile and laid-back as far as snakes go, but they are still capable of inflicting pain.. they are not toys, fashion accessories, or statues.
I plan on taking precautions to help in case this ever does happen again; any advice? is it O to spray them with rubbing alcohol or something similar to make them release? I know it sucked that we had to peel her off like that, but I don't plan on losing my thumb anytime soon.
One thing for the record; this IS a painful injury. The base of my thumb is extremely sore, and I can't unscrew a soda pop bottle lid! Also, she was full-up; ate a medium rat two nights ago.

little brat! :eek: i sending healing hugs to your thumb... not the kind of hugs she gave you... much much gentler!

i've heard you can spray something in their mouths... but have no idea what. i would think plain water would do the trick?

Someone suggested vinegar.. maybe the alcohol would be harmful? I wound never want to harm them..

i think i remember hearing vinegar as well. i wonder if just plain water would work though... isn't the idea to shock them into retreating?

I know with hatchlings, we've been bit and constricted many times. Spray bottle of water or head under running water has worked for us.

Congrats on your first constrict... even the baby snakes can inflict some pretty wounds when constricting during a bite. I really have no idea what methods of removal are safe, other than very careful manually, though, sorry.

For bigger snakes, most owners keep a bottle of alcohol close by. They also say warm water will make them release, like snakeysnakesnake said..

Is it rubbing alcohol you are supposed to use? I thought it was supposed to be like vodka or rum? haha

I was watching animal planet and this snake keeper at a zoo did a demonstration by tricking a burm into constricting his own leg and he sprayed warm water on it and it quickly released its coils. The same show also showed a guy using vodka I believe to get a snake to let go of his hand.

Sorry ya got bit :(

I have heard many times it is drinking type alcohol not rubbing. And try and avoid getting it in the heatpits and nostrils. It's nothing Ive ever had to use maybe others would know better than I.