New to BP's - Worried about getting bit?

Hey Guys...

Thanks for your help in previous posts (husbandry) etc. Here's on for you...

While making appropriate changes to my tank on my newly aquired BP (baby, had it for 5 days), I had to take it out of the cage to mess with substrate and hides and such. So I picked it up and put it in a small tote type box. No problems. So I do some work, have a short ADD moment, and clean up dinner which we had a few hours earlier. Now next I finish fixin up the little guys tank, and I pick him up to put him back in the tank. He opens up from his little ball, and starts eying up my thumb like a steak.

Was this snake smelling my dinner on my hands from cleaning up plates that had meat and meat juices on them? He did not strike or his, but he was focused right on my left thumb, as I was carrying him in the left hand?

New to snakes, trying to do the right thing... That just spooked me a bit, all the way up to when I put him down I just had this feeling like in the cartoons, when starving bugs bunny looks at donald duck and he turns into a giant T-Bone?!?!

-Camp

It's possibe that he scented something interesting on your thumb, but most likely was just watching the world go by as you carried him. Was he "tongue-flicking" at your thumb? That's a good indicator that he's intently investigating, rather than just watching.


Either way...even if he bit...it would be more startling than hurtful just because they can move so fast and sudden. If you imagine it happening and imagine yourself calmly accepting it as "no big deal" you'll eventually come to realize that it really is no big deal.

No tounge flicking.. half balled up with a very intent look at my thumb.. Either way, just made me think..

I was bit by a black rat snake when I was very young, and have been scared of snakes (although I really do like them) for a long time. I have always wanted a ball python, but since I was bit as a youngster I have always been nervous. I have subsequently moved on, bought this snake, and am enjoying learning about him and handling him. I was just unsure of the look he gave me...... All set to move on; you're right, it is not a big deal.

-Camp

Once you get bit you won't mind future ones...hell last weekend I got bit twice buy the snake i was about to buy :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

Once you get bit you won't mind future ones...hell last weekend I got bit twice buy the snake i was about to buy :)

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:O sort of telling him to let the snake bit him so he wont be scared in future....wait a sec... that aint a bad piece of advice :)

bit twice then you brought it :O hope he/she is a a beaut of a snake :D

Camp, babies are a bit more nervous and apt to nip than a lot of adults. Remember this is just a tiny thing, without a clue you are caring for it's wellbeing. It's just a little and lovely creature that has a lot of survival instincts driving it so they may well nip or jab (closed mouth sort of thing) at you right now. Lots of babies hiss or watch intently. They want to make sure you aren't a big predator about to chow down on them. Remember they have very few ways to deal with you...bite, jab, hiss, escape, ball up or hide...that's about it.

Seems every young snake we've had that was a bit on the nippy/hissy side ended up being a really great feeder with fantastic hunting skills so I consider it a good thing really. Eventually as they mature and you do some simple routines with them over and over again, most will calm down nicely. We have a couple that still hiss at us every time we touch them but funny enough, those are the two that have never attempted to bite...they all all hiss and not much else. LOL

It can happen. Knowing how to read your snake is your best defense. If the snake has the "S" shape and its head is quivering, you might just get snapped at. I lightly will tap mine in the head with an empty water bottle; this makes them recoil and seems to make them realize that it is not feeding time. I am Not saying to bonk your snake in the head and inflict brain damage; just a little tap will do. Never go and grab for the snake head-on; it is like blasting music into someone's ear, since they see heat sources and your hand gives off heat. :)