My new girl bit me!

On Wednesday a girl I know through work gave me her 6 year old normal female that she'd grown bored with. She said it had a shedding problem, but when I saw the tank I wasn't worried...open screen, heat lamps, single half-log hide, no temp/humidity gauges. This snake is between 3 and 4 feet long and only weighs 1,056g....she's been feeding it one small-small rat every 3-4 weeks. I'm confident that in better conditions and with regular feeding, she'll put on weight just fine.

So today I opened the tub to show her to my bf, and when I reached down to pull the newspaper away, she latched onto my wrist. I have two neat horseshoes of punctures, but the best one was at the apex of the maxillary impression, where she punctured a vein. I have a blue hematoma 3/8" wide! I just stood there for what seemed like ages waiting for her to let go, but eventually it started to throb, so I carried her into the bathroom and ran cold water on her. That didn't work either though, so finally I had my bf fetch the brandy and splash a little on her head, whereupon she immediately let go and made "yuck" faces.

Obligatory pictures, taken with lousy but readily available webcam.

The bitten:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...akebite007.JPG

The biter:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...akebite004.JPG

Woo, welcome to Bite Club, Jess! Sounds like you handled it like a champ :D

Oh, and congrats on getting the new girl!

Great pics! Too bad they weren't more in focus, but still...

I'm glad she has a better home now. I'm sure she'll put on weight in no time, especially with that 'tude. BTW, it might be a good idea to rinse the alcohol off of her.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I'm sure she'll put on weight in no time, especially with that 'tude. BTW, it might be a good idea to rinse the alcohol off of her.

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She hasn't eaten in a month and has mice living next door to the rack, LOL. I'm thinking she'll be a good feeder. :-)

And yup, I ran her under the faucet again as she came loose. The gaping mouth is her distaste for liquor. :-P

Sarah, I've been bitten before by the babies but those were just defensive nips and scratches. This is the first time I've dealt with a bitey adult. It was kinda fun, honestly. A bit of excitement and challenge.

U should try having a Crazed Borneo. Shes so mean!!.. always hissing when i try to pick her up..lol..I love her for that though..your Bp just needs the extra attention that the other owner never gave..

Leave her alone..for about a week or two. Id put a sheet over the tank and let her acclimate. try to use a nocturnol light if your using bulbs for heat. Keep a nice temp in the cage. After 2 weeks offer her a nice sized mouse. or small rat. If you see her eating make it a scheduled feeding period. Try to handle her on a daily basis with GLOVES until she starts settling down. Then she should start Seeing your there for her and not trying to eat her.

Good luck and try to have patience..My Borneo drives me nuts

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Originally Posted by crisstyle21

U should try having a Crazed Borneo. Shes so mean!!.. always hissing when i try to pick her up..lol..I love her for that though..your Bp just needs the extra attention that the other owner never gave..

Leave her alone..for about a week or two. Id put a sheet over the tank and let her acclimate. try to use a nocturnol light if your using bulbs for heat. Keep a nice temp in the cage. After 2 weeks offer her a nice sized mouse. or small rat. If you see her eating make it a scheduled feeding period. Try to handle her on a daily basis with GLOVES until she starts settling down. Then she should start Seeing your there for her and not trying to eat her.

Good luck and try to have patience..My Borneo drives me nuts

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She's in a tub in a rack now; the tank w/heat lamp was the prior owner's set-up. She has no prior history of agression in the six years she was with the previous owner, so I don't think she's really mean, just hungry. I feed all the kids very small meals weekly and I expect she'll be fine once she's settled in. :-)

Wow, she looks triumphant! Ouch! :O

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

Sarah, I've been bitten before by the babies but those were just defensive nips and scratches. This is the first time I've dealt with a bitey adult. It was kinda fun, honestly. A bit of excitement and challenge.

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Yup, my one bite (so far) was barely more than a scratch by a yearling, so I'm quite impressed with yours tonight!

Woah!!! :oops: dang, gurl!!!!


The pix of her is....... well she makes a point! :P Glad she's settled in.... Hope your arm doesn't get too soar. :(

If shes acting defensively when you attempt to touch, such as balling or hissing then you should consider acclimating her..but if shes fine and doesnt poses any of these defenses then you need feed her ass..lol..before she eats the family cat or dog..nah im playin