What to do when things go wrong? Discussion.

After my issue with Rainbow and Monty, some members of the forum brought advice on how to keep things from going wrong. This is a place advice on what to do when things do go wrong. It happens to everyone eventually if you keep them long enough. This is going to be limited to the specific subjects listed below. Please share and respect everyone and their opinion. Please keep in mind that this is almost purely opinion but some tried and true practices. Share the good and bad alike.

Rules
1. No bashing another opinion.
2. Express yourself and respect others.
3. Discussion is encouraged by asking questions with respect. (Saying you disagree is acceptable. Saying someone is wrong is not.)
4. No species specific discussion about weather they make good pets or not. (We all make our own decisions on what we feel like we can handle.)
5. RESPECT

Subjects of discussion.

1. Bites

2. Constriction

3. Hots

4. Cohabitation.


Go...……….

I'll go.

The only bite I've ever had that HURT!

Totally my fault. Of course.

The mistake I made ? I was distracted.

The culprit was a 6 foot BCI, common redtail boa. I was going to grab the water bowl to give him fresh water. The bowl was not far from the opening of the hide.

Background story. It was a rainy day and I had a worker come to my house to install a satellite dish on top of the roof. I told the worker it would be ok if he came on another day, given it was beginning to rain. But he insisted it would be alright. He put the ladder on my back porch (on tiles) and proceeded to do his thing.

As I was reaching for the water bowl I suddenly heard a GOD AWFUL racket. It sounded like my roof was coming down. Then a loud crash. During all that I turned my body and looked up. My arm was still in the cage and I guess I moved that as well, right in front of the hide. And in a very quick motion. I guess my boy figured there is a rat running past my hide, I better grab it quick. Or..he was startled. Either way, he hit. And HARD.
Already freaked out by racket, and then that sudden pain, I instinctively pulled my hand back. And drove his teeth deeper. His upper jaw was in the top of my hand, lower jaw in the bottom of my hand. Right in between thumb and index finger. His teeth hit the big vein on top of my hand.

Thankfully he released pretty quickly. There was quite a bit of blood running down my arm and pooling under the skin on top of my hand. In no time I had a golfball sized swelling on top of my hand, all blood under the skin.

I ran to the door leading out to my back porch and found the guy and ladder laying on the ground. On his way down he ripped off my gutters and also broke off the umbrella on my table. Then he looked up and saw me standing there with blood running down my arm.
Oh it was a lovely scene :rolleyes: Of course all that happened while my mom and grandma were visiting from Germany.

So, what did I learn ? NEVER be distracted when dealing with those animals. Have your eyes and mind ON THEM always, when dealing with them. Even if a guy falls off your roof, taking down everything in his path..:(

My hand turned all kinds of colors during the next couple of weeks. And I picked teeth out of it even days later...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I'll go.

The only bite I've ever had that HURT!

Totally my fault. Of course.

The mistake I made ? I was distracted.

The culprit was a 6 foot BCI, common redtail boa. I was going to grab the water bowl to give him fresh water. The bowl was not far from the opening of the hide.

Background story. It was a rainy day and I had a worker come to my house to install a satellite dish on top of the roof. I told the worker it would be ok if he came on another day, given it was beginning to rain. But he insisted it would be alright. He put the ladder on my back porch (on tiles) and proceeded to do his thing.

As I was reaching for the water bowl I suddenly heard a GOD AWFUL racket. It sounded like my roof was coming down. Then a loud crash. During all that I turned my body and looked up. My arm was still in the cage and I guess I moved that as well, right in front of the hide. And in a very quick motion. I guess my boy figured there is a rat running past my hide, I better grab it quick. Or..he was startled. Either way, he hit. And HARD.
Already freaked out by racket, and then that sudden pain, I instinctively pulled my hand back. And drove his teeth deeper. His upper jaw was in the top of my hand, lower jaw in the bottom of my hand. Right in between thumb and index finger. His teeth hit the big vein on top of my hand.

Thankfully he released pretty quickly. There was quite a bit of blood running down my arm and pooling under the skin on top of my hand. In no time I had a golfball sized swelling on top of my hand, all blood under the skin.

I ran to the door leading out to my back porch and found the guy and ladder laying on the ground. On his way down he ripped off my gutters and also broke off the umbrella on my table. Then he looked up and saw me standing there with blood running down my arm.
Oh it was a lovely scene :rolleyes: Of course all that happened while my mom and grandma were visiting from Germany.

So, what did I learn ? NEVER be distracted when dealing with those animals. Have your eyes and mind ON THEM always, when dealing with them. Even if a guy falls off your roof, taking down everything in his path..:(

My hand turned all kinds of colors during the next couple of weeks. And I picked teeth out of it even days later...

---

I forgot to mention. The first words out of his mouth (the guy laying on my porch) were "I hope you have good insurance". What a donkey butt. I told him I didn't think it was a good idea to put a ladder up to the roof (on wet tiles) on a rainy day, nor to climb on a wet roof. He insisted it was fine. And I got bit :mad:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I'll go.

The only bite I've ever had that HURT!

Totally my fault. Of course.

The mistake I made ? I was distracted.

The culprit was a 6 foot BCI, common redtail boa. I was going to grab the water bowl to give him fresh water. The bowl was not far from the opening of the hide.

Background story. It was a rainy day and I had a worker come to my house to install a satellite dish on top of the roof. I told the worker it would be ok if he came on another day, given it was beginning to rain. But he insisted it would be alright. He put the ladder on my back porch (on tiles) and proceeded to do his thing.

As I was reaching for the water bowl I suddenly heard a GOD AWFUL racket. It sounded like my roof was coming down. Then a loud crash. During all that I turned my body and looked up. My arm was still in the cage and I guess I moved that as well, right in front of the hide. And in a very quick motion. I guess my boy figured there is a rat running past my hide, I better grab it quick. Or..he was startled. Either way, he hit. And HARD.
Already freaked out by racket, and then that sudden pain, I instinctively pulled my hand back. And drove his teeth deeper. His upper jaw was in the top of my hand, lower jaw in the bottom of my hand. Right in between thumb and index finger. His teeth hit the big vein on top of my hand.

Thankfully he released pretty quickly. There was quite a bit of blood running down my arm and pooling under the skin on top of my hand. In no time I had a golfball sized swelling on top of my hand, all blood under the skin.

I ran to the door leading out to my back porch and found the guy and ladder laying on the ground. On his way down he ripped off my gutters and also broke off the umbrella on my table. Then he looked up and saw me standing there with blood running down my arm.
Oh it was a lovely scene :rolleyes: Of course all that happened while my mom and grandma were visiting from Germany.

So, what did I learn ? NEVER be distracted when dealing with those animals. Have your eyes and mind ON THEM always, when dealing with them. Even if a guy falls off your roof, taking down everything in his path..:(

My hand turned all kinds of colors during the next couple of weeks. And I picked teeth out of it even days later...

---

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a rough day all together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I forgot to mention. The first words out of his mouth (the guy laying on my porch) were "I hope you have good insurance". What a donkey butt. I told him I didn't think it was a good idea to put a ladder up to the roof (on wet tiles) on a rainy day, nor to climb on a wet roof. He insisted it was fine. And I got bit :mad:

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He came to perform a service. He did damage to your house. Sounds to me he needed the good insurance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

He came to perform a service. He did damage to your house. Sounds to me he needed the good insurance.

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Exactly ... he should have PL insurance ( public liability ) .

I have a feeling it's compulsory to be honest ... in order to protect their customers ( you ) should anything go amiss .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

After my issue with Rainbow and Monty, some members of the forum brought advice on how to keep things from going wrong. This is a place advice on what to do when things do go wrong. It happens to everyone eventually if you keep them long enough. This is going to be limited to the specific subjects listed below. Please share and respect everyone and their opinion. Please keep in mind that this is almost purely opinion but some tried and true practices. Share the good and bad alike.

Rules
1. No bashing another opinion.
2. Express yourself and respect others.
3. Discussion is encouraged by asking questions with respect. (Saying you disagree is acceptable. Saying someone is wrong is not.)
4. No species specific discussion about weather they make good pets or not. (We all make our own decisions on what we feel like we can handle.)
5. RESPECT

Subjects of discussion.

1. Bites

2. Constriction

3. Hots

4. Cohabitation.


Go...……….

---

Let's get back on track.

Sent from my N9560 using Tapatalk

1. Even with binder clips, snakes can still escape tubs. It happened with my ones with a slim head and my ball python. With enough persistence and time, they will get out. So I learned to put the slim snakes (ie colubrids) in lockable glass tanks like Critter Cage or a pvc cage like AP. Or if I choose to continue to use the tub, add more clips and keep the room door (keep the room clutter free and snake proof) closed in case it gets out again, I can find it.

Or go rack.

On a side note, depending on your state/city laws, as the home owner, you may be liable for injuries the worker sustained from your property. For example, in FL, if you hired a contractor who had no insurance to work on your roof, he slipped and fell, he can file a claim with your home insurance. Without going into too much details, just know what it may seem obvious (like he should not be working on a roof while raining) may not free you from being liable.

Whether or not he gets any money depends on how much fault the insurance company thinks he has on his part vs your part as the owner, and how hurt he is or how the injury contributed to aggravate his existing injuries. So it is always recommended to hire licensed contractors who are almost always insured. So if their employees were hurt, they would file the claim with their employer's insurance.

Ok, back on track.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cheesenugget

1. Even with binder clips, snakes can still escape tubs. It happened with my ones with a slim head and my ball python. With enough persistence and time, they will get out. So I learned to put the slim snakes (ie colubrids) in lockable glass tanks like Critter Cage or a pvc cage like AP. Or if I choose to continue to use the tub, add more clips and keep the room door (keep the room clutter free and snake proof) closed in case it gets out again, I can find it.

Or go rack.

On a side note, depending on your state/city laws, as the home owner, you may be liable for injuries the worker sustained from your property. For example, in FL, if you hired a contractor who had no insurance to work on your roof, he slipped and fell, he can file a claim with your home insurance. Without going into too much details, just know what it may seem obvious (like he should not be working on a roof while raining) may not free you from being liable.

Whether or not he gets any money depends on how much fault the insurance company thinks he has on his part vs your part as the owner, and how hurt he is or how the injury contributed to aggravate his existing injuries. So it is always recommended to hire licensed contractors who are almost always insured. So if their employees were hurt, they would file the claim with their employer's insurance.

Ok, back on track.

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He was licensed and insured, not independent, either. I told him explicitly that I didn't think it was a good idea to get on the roof in the rain. I told him I wouldn't mind re-scheduling. He had a attitude to begin with, did NOT want to reschedule and all but insisted to get the job over with. He also seemed rushed. Short of ordering him off of my property, there was nothing I could do. Me nor my insurance had to pay a penny and he had to come back and fix my gutters. Which he did a crappy job of, because they leaked from that day forward.

Back on topic, I agree about snakes being escape artists. If a lid even gives a tiny bit, they will sqish their way out, even if it means they cause themselves harm by getting scrapes or even getting stuck. Seen it all !!

I also had one get loose in car while driving. That was bad...especially since I couldn't pull over or stop right then. I was on one of those long drawn out bridges. I held on to him with one hand and was driving with the other. He was just a small russian ratsnake, but he had hooked himself around the headrest post, and there was no getting him off while driving. As soon as I could, I pulled over and wrestled him off of there and back into his tub :oops:

Since then I double and tripple check when traveling with snakes !!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

After my issue with Rainbow and Monty, some members of the forum brought advice on how to keep things from going wrong. This is a place advice on what to do when things do go wrong. It happens to everyone eventually if you keep them long enough. This is going to be limited to the specific subjects listed below. Please share and respect everyone and their opinion. Please keep in mind that this is almost purely opinion but some tried and true practices. Share the good and bad alike.

Rules
1. No bashing another opinion.
2. Express yourself and respect others.
3. Discussion is encouraged by asking questions with respect. (Saying you disagree is acceptable. Saying someone is wrong is not.)
4. No species specific discussion about weather they make good pets or not. (We all make our own decisions on what we feel like we can handle.)
5. RESPECT

Subjects of discussion.

1. Bites

2. Constriction

3. Hots

4. Cohabitation.


Go...……….

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Let's get back on track.

Sent from my N9560 using Tapatalk

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Just my .02 but I've been reading your two threads and I really think you need to let go of your over analyzing everything that's said and stop trying to tell people what they can and cannot say. It's an open forum and if you don't like what's said then just ignore it. But when you chastise people for not being on subject and then start a new thread and make your own posting rules and publish them in RED BOLD letters, it's over the top.

It doesn't matter what any poster posts as rules.

Only the moderators and administrators MAKE and ENFORCE rules. Rules already exist and they apply to everybody's posts, whether it is the original post or someone that replies.

If I post something and do not like the answers, I do not have the power to shut it down or chastise. I can ask a moderator to make that determination. Opinions will vary. We won't always like what we hear. Posts DO go off and on topic, that is part of it and what makes it fun. Only moderators can stop any posting and they will if it is needed.

This forum is VERY well moderated, its part of what I love about it. The moderators are fair and just and no-nonsense. Most members are also absolutely amazing and only rarely have I seen outright nastiness. And that was by people that "come and go". Most likely trolls.

Therefor, no need to make up and post one's own rule. But if that is what Skyriver wants to post, his prerogative. If people take offense, or don't like to get chastised over going off topic a bit, they can ignore this thread. If a real issue develops, it can be brought to an administrators attention.

Lets not fuss at each other anymore, you would think there was a full moon :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

It doesn't matter what any poster posts as rules.

Only the moderators and administrators MAKE and ENFORCE rules. Rules already exist and they apply to everybody's posts, whether it is the original post or someone that replies.

If I post something and do not like the answers, I do not have the power to shut it down or chastise. I can ask a moderator to make that determination. Opinions will vary. We won't always like what we hear. Posts DO go off and on topic, that is part of it and what makes it fun. Only moderators can stop any posting and they will if it is needed.

This forum is VERY well moderated, its part of what I love about it. The moderators are fair and just and no-nonsense. Most members are also absolutely amazing and only rarely have I seen outright nastiness. And that was by people that "come and go". Most likely trolls.

Therefor, no need to make up and post one's own rule. But if that is what Skyriver wants to post, his prerogative. If people take offense, or don't like to get chastised over going off topic a bit, they can ignore this thread. If a real issue develops, it can be brought to an administrators attention.

Lets not fuss at each other anymore, you would think there was a full moon :P

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We should mud wrestle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

We should mud wrestle.

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Im lost .....


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Im lost .....


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Welcome to my world.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Im lost .....


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Mall u need to do is get back to posting beautiful pics of ur sneaks! LOL

http://photos.imageevent.com/morgens...45141760_n.jpg

from last night (taken with our telescope)

might as well be TOnight, though.


Ok, I've had my bite that was due to not keeping my focus 100% on the snake. (advice, pay attention to the snake, not everything else)

I've had a travel escapee due to not double and triple checking the travel tub (advice, CHECK and check again!)


Anyone else care to share ??

This was supposed to be educational and helpful but whatever.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

This was supposed to be educational and helpful but whatever.

Sent from my N9560 using Tapatalk

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And it already has. And it will be. A little harmless going off topic a bit and ribbing won't change that. That actually goes on in just about every post. Don't take it to heart so much. I have opened up about my mistakes (painful as they were) and others will join in. But it can also be a off topic here and there and it won't hurt no-one. How many times have you had people fall off your roof while you get mauled by your snake ? ;)

Anyone else ? I know we all have made some mistakes and had mishaps. Join in, this is a tell all.

I’ve had several bites over the years, only one that constricted though. The one with constriction was totally my fault. Back when I used feeding tubs (MANY years ago when that was common practice), I had put one of my adult boas (about 7’) in a tub to clean his cage. I didn’t use my snake hook like I usually did when taking him out of the tub. He saw a warm incoming object, my hand, and struck and constricted. That was the first time I used rubbing alcohol to make a snake spit me out...worked like a charm. I’ve had bites from a 13’ burm that I startled when I went to take her out if her cage to clean it, she was in shed and I didn’t realize it. When I touched her, she was startled and struck. Lesson learned, ALWAYS use a snake hook with the big ones.

The most spectacular bite was from an 8’ female boa at a show where I was trying to sell her. She had been taken out several times for prospective buyers and been fine, but decided she had enough and nailed me when I took her out again near the end of the show. I was dripping blood on the floor, the vendor next to us was freaking out and wanted to dial 911, and the guy’s girlfriend was a more than a bit freaked out as well. My other half used hand sanitizer to get her to let go, I wrapped my hand up with a towel and cleaned up the floor. I didn’t make that sale. :rolleyes: Lesson there, no matter how calm they usually are, they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable.

I have housed snakes together in the past, mostly juvenile litter/clutch-mates (boas and corns), but it isn’t ideal. It makes feeding more difficult because you do have to put them in separate feeding tubs to prevent canibalism- which is still a risk when putting them back together even for species that typically don’t eat other snakes. It also makes tracking individual progress impossible. The adult corns I housed together at my Mom’s when I was buying my house turned out not to be the same sex, so I ended up with an unplanned clutch of eggs. Ultimately snakes are solitary creatures for the most part, cohabitating forces them to compete for the best hides and temperature gradient, literally leaving less dominant animals in the cold, which can cause regurgitation or other feeding issues. Housing them separately allows them to properly thermoregulate and there is no risk of feeding errors.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I’ve had several bites over the years, only one that constricted though. The one with constriction was totally my fault. Back when I used feeding tubs (MANY years ago when that was common practice), I had put one of my adult boas (about 7’) in a tub to clean his cage. I didn’t use my snake hook like I usually did when taking him out of the tub. He saw a warm incoming object, my hand, and struck and constricted. That was the first time I used rubbing alcohol to make a snake spit me out...worked like a charm. I’ve had bites from a 13’ burm that I startled when I went to take her out if her cage to clean it, she was in shed and I didn’t realize it. When I touched her, she was startled and struck. Lesson learned, ALWAYS use a snake hook with the big ones.

The most spectacular bite was from an 8’ female boa at a show where I was trying to sell her. She had been taken out several times for prospective buyers and been fine, but decided she had enough and nailed me when I took her out again near the end of the show. I was dripping blood on the floor, the vendor next to us was freaking out and wanted to dial 911, and the guy’s girlfriend was a more than a bit freaked out as well. My other half used hand sanitizer to get her to let go, I wrapped my hand up with a towel and cleaned up the floor. I didn’t make that sale. :rolleyes: Lesson there, no matter how calm they usually are, they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable.

I have housed snakes together in the past, mostly juvenile litter/clutch-mates (boas and corns), but it isn’t ideal. It makes feeding more difficult because you do have to put them in separate feeding tubs to prevent canibalism- which is still a risk when putting them back together even for species that typically don’t eat other snakes. It also makes tracking individual progress impossible. The adult corns I housed together at my Mom’s when I was buying my house turned out not to be the same sex, so I ended up with an unplanned clutch of eggs. Ultimately snakes are solitary creatures for the most part, cohabitating forces them to compete for the best hides and temperature gradient, literally leaving less dominant animals in the cold, which can cause regurgitation or other feeding issues. Housing them separately allows them to properly thermoregulate and there is no risk of feeding errors.

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Those Boa's, huh :P

Thank you for sharing, Dianne! And yes, I could see how that would have been bad for the sale, LMAO !!! :rofl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

After my issue with Rainbow and Monty, some members of the forum brought advice on how to keep things from going wrong. This is a place advice on what to do when things do go wrong. It happens to everyone eventually if you keep them long enough. This is going to be limited to the specific subjects listed below. Please share and respect everyone and their opinion. Please keep in mind that this is almost purely opinion but some tried and true practices. Share the good and bad alike.

Rules
1. No bashing another opinion.
2. Express yourself and respect others.
3. Discussion is encouraged by asking questions with respect. (Saying you disagree is acceptable. Saying someone is wrong is not.)
4. No species specific discussion about weather they make good pets or not. (We all make our own decisions on what we feel like we can handle.)
5. RESPECT

Subjects of discussion.

1. Bites

2. Constriction

3. Hots

4. Cohabitation.


Go...……….

---

1. Throw some alcohol on it, push around to see if you feel any teeth and then move on.

2. Never had anyone constrict me except Caesar when i was trying to unhook his upper lip from his tooth. I just let him constrict my leg and he quit after a few mins.

3. Only have Dozer the gila. I use a glove on him but he does like to climb off the glove and up my arm and sit on the inside my elbow just relaxing.

4. Bad idea imo no matter what the species. If one gets sick, everyone can be screwed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

Those Boa's, huh :P

Thank you for sharing, Dianne! And yes, I could see how that would have been bad for the sale, LMAO !!! :rofl:

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I guess I can see how that might have affected the sale. :D One funny thing is the guy mentioned how calm I was with an 8’ boa attached to my hand. My reply that this isn’t the first bite and I don’t expect it to be my last probably didn’t help. :omfg: I did end up selling her to a local breeder, so all wasn’t lost.

As for bites, the adult boas and burm are the only real memorable ones. There have been too many “bites” from nippy babies to count. I also used to do safe housing for cats and dogs, plus catching half feral kittens from my Mom’s - she was just far enough in the country to make a “good” release point for unwanted pets. People suck. I’ll take a snake bite any day over a cat bite.

I was bitten by a 7ft boa years ago. She was always a very chill snake. To this day we don't know what set her off other than wild insticts that are ALWAYS there. It was bloody and it hurt!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

I was bitten by a 7ft boa years ago. She was always a very chill snake. To this day we don't know what set her off other than wild insticts that are ALWAYS there. It was bloody and it hurt!

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And now my taste for Boas is going away. Maybe I should just go with earth worms?

After the bite, I no longer trust them. I feel they are more likely to give a bite more so than a BP

Yes MR Snakes, I feel an earthworm would be perfect for you!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

And now my taste for Boas is going away. Maybe I should just go with earth worms?

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:rofl:Are you sure you're not "MR Robin"? -and do let us know how they taste? :D

I've been bitten several times, but it was never anything major. I usually handle it putting the snake under running water until they let go. Or if that doesn't work, mouthwash.


Constriction has never been an issue. BPs are the largest snakes I have. Even when they're being stubborn I can find a way to pry them off me, or whatever else they're constricting. Bigger snakes would be more of a challenge.


Hots are tempting, but I don't have training with them and I do have kids. So for the time being I'll refrain. Might change my mind after the kids have all moved out.


I don't see the point in cohabitation. I put snakes together to breed, and sometimes I'll let hatchlings stay together until their first shed, but that's it.

Anybody who gets hot reptiles is very brave because no mistakes can be made

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

Anybody who gets hot reptiles is very brave because no mistakes can be made

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You don't have to be very brave if you're careful & focused. ;) I've seen some bloody-awful photos of what envenomation can do to the human body...no way I'd
ever let that happen...I'm too much of a "health-nut". I'd still take the mental-planning of working hots any day over the strength needed to wrestle with giants,
but that's me. And some "hots" are much harder than others too, there's plenty that I wouldn't want around either. Honestly, I don't understand the mystique of
keeping either hots OR giant snakes...they're both a LOT more trouble, not fun pets that you can just enjoy (IMO). Everything that you take for granted as being
easy to do with a harmless snake becomes a big deal...from cage cleaning to medical issues. To me, a "pet" is something you can relate to & handle...that's off the
table with hots, and goes from difficult to impossible with giants as they grow. So apart from respecting & admiring all of nature's creations, what's so good about
keeping "hands-off" creatures? You really have to be dedicated & content with the effort involved, & some people do 'burn out'.

As far as the 4 categories, I've apparently lead a boring life-
1. Bites- only harmless & nothing impressive (never from a large snake)...mostly hatchlings being defensive, no big deal.
2. Constrictions- none
3. Hots- no incidents
4. Cohabitation issues- none

Hots and giants will never be for me. To each their own.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

After the bite, I no longer trust them. I feel they are more likely to give a bite more so than a BP

Yes MR Snakes, I feel an earthworm would be perfect for you!

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

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Is there a preferred morph?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

:rofl:Are you sure you're not "MR Robin"? -and do let us know how they taste? :D

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Is MR Robin a long lost relative?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the_rotten1

I've been bitten several times, but it was never anything major. I usually handle it putting the snake under running water until they let go. Or if that doesn't work, mouthwash.


Constriction has never been an issue. BPs are the largest snakes I have. Even when they're being stubborn I can find a way to pry them off me, or whatever else they're constricting. Bigger snakes would be more of a challenge.


Hots are tempting, but I don't have training with them and I do have kids. So for the time being I'll refrain. Might change my mind after the kids have all moved out.


I don't see the point in cohabitation. I put snakes together to breed, and sometimes I'll let hatchlings stay together until their first shed, but that's it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

Hots and giants will never be for me. To each their own.

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My wife is now convinced that I've been spending all my time on a "How to pick up women" Forum!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

And now my taste for Boas is going away. Maybe I should just go with earth worms?

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idk maybe it's just me but i really wanna get bit. i love pain. no joke. i get excited when i think about being bit/scratched

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Originally Posted by samsonact

idk maybe it's just me but i really wanna get bit. i love pain. no joke. i get excited when i think about being bit/scratched

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I think we should just leave this one alone.

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Originally Posted by samsonact

idk maybe it's just me but i really wanna get bit. i love pain. no joke. i get excited when i think about being bit/scratched

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Yup..."it's just you". :D As someone else just said, to each their own...

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

And now my taste for Boas is going away. Maybe I should just go with earth worms?

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For what it is worth, I don’t think you should discount boas because of these shared experiences on this thread. In my first example, the bite was absolutely my fault. Following safe handling protocols would have prevented it if I’d used a hook with the snake in the tub like normal. Same thing with my burm, I should have used the hook. In both cases I took a shortcut and didn’t follow my own handling procedures. As for the incident at the show, at home you would not repeatedly be taking the snake in and out of an enclosure within a period of a few hours.

Out of 27+ years keeping snakes, I’ve only had the three significant bites. I wouldn’t trade my experience with my large boas for anything. They have been great pets. That I’ve kept my original pair of boas for their whole life speaks to that. I lost my male, Sir Hiss, in late 2017 at age 26. He was my very first snake that I bought as a neonate in 1991. I still have my female, Duncan, who will be 27 this year. The only reason I wouldn’t buy another large constrictor at this point is that I want to be sure I can care for the snake for its entire lifetime. At 48, any snake I purchase will likely still be in my care at 70...so I want to be sure the future me can uphold the commitment I make to the animals I purchase now.

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

I was bitten by a 7ft boa years ago. She was always a very chill snake. To this day we don't know what set her off other than wild insticts that are ALWAYS there. It was bloody and it hurt!

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Originally Posted by MR Snakes

And now my taste for Boas is going away. Maybe I should just go with earth worms?

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I've been bit by my 7 foot boa, 6 foot boa and 9 foot retic. They are all VERY laid back but a snake is a snake. The retic and 6 foot boa were from me being stupid with food. The bite from the 7 foot boa was from me startling her when she was sleeping at the front of the cage. I've had all of them since they were babies and have only been bit once by each. Stuff happens. Animals are animals. With all the bites, they didnt hurt but did bruise up very nicely. A defensive or 'omg thats not food' bite happen so quick that you dont even really have time to register it until you see blood all over. With my 7 foot boa that got startled, i reached in right after and once she smelled it was me, she was fine. The 6 foot boa and 9 foot retic, it was a feeding bite as they smelled food, so i left them alone except Caesar the retic who was outside the cage when it happened and i vent my snake hook lifting him back up to his cage so he could climb in.

Dont let a simple bite discourage you from owning a snake. Anyone who has kept snakes long enough will take bites and will take multiple bites. It's just the nature of the beast and it happens. Now if you own HOTs, then you want to triple check everything but accidents can still happen which is why you want to have protocols in place like bite kits and possibly antivenom around.

Oh and I've been bit by lots of stuff throughout the years....adult pacman frogs, bullfrogs, garter snakes, alligator lizards, geckos, ball pythons, carpet pythons and i'm sure i cant remember atm lol. Worst two that i remember were a BP who tried to drag my finger into her hide to eat it. I had to dunk her head in the waterbowl with my finger using my other hand to support her. And my pacman frog which i had to literally pry his jaws off my finger with a wooden chopstick. The whole time the frog was croaking and puffing itself up lol.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

For what it is worth, I don’t think you should discount boas because of these shared experiences on this thread. In my first example, the bite was absolutely my fault. Following safe handling protocols would have prevented it if I’d used a hook with the snake in the tub like normal. Same thing with my burm, I should have used the hook. In both cases I took a shortcut and didn’t follow my own handling procedures. As for the incident at the show, at home you would not repeatedly be taking the snake in and out of an enclosure within a period of a few hours.

Out of 27+ years keeping snakes, I’ve only had the three significant bites. I wouldn’t trade my experience with my large boas for anything. They have been great pets. That I’ve kept my original pair of boas for their whole life speaks to that. I lost my male, Sir Hiss, in late 2017 at age 26. He was my very first snake that I bought as a neonate in 1991. I still have my female, Duncan, who will be 27 this year. The only reason I wouldn’t buy another large constrictor at this point is that I want to be sure I can care for the snake for its entire lifetime. At 48, any snake I purchase will likely still be in my care at 70...so I want to be sure the future me can uphold the commitment I make to the animals I purchase now.

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Haha i hear ya. I'm 48 as well and assuming my snakes and especially my little gila live to their golden years, I'll be around 78 by then......I'll be that weird old man with snakes and lizards lol.

Pac-Man frogs scare the heck out of me. Seriously. Nothing but a huge vicious mouth. Lol..


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I have to agree with Dianne and Sauzo. The very few bites I've experienced with my current boas were food related and my fault. There was lots of rat scent in the air and I wasn't careful. Just quick tags. Nothing serious. When they are hungry you have to be aware. When you aren't, things can happen. If everyone is being fed on the same night I have to feed the boas first because once they smell food they are tagging the sides of their enclosure every time something moves. Especially Creeper.

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I guess I can see how that might have affected the sale. :D One funny thing is the guy mentioned how calm I was with an 8’ boa attached to my hand. My reply that this isn’t the first bite and I don’t expect it to be my last probably didn’t help. :omfg: I did end up selling her to a local breeder, so all wasn’t lost.

As for bites, the adult boas and burm are the only real memorable ones. There have been too many “bites” from nippy babies to count. I also used to do safe housing for cats and dogs, plus catching half feral kittens from my Mom’s - she was just far enough in the country to make a “good” release point for unwanted pets. People suck. I’ll take a snake bite any day over a cat bite.

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Think about how strong and healthy those babies would be from her. :D:O JK

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Honestly, I don't understand the mystique of keeping either hots OR giant snakes...they're both a LOT more trouble, not fun pets that you can just enjoy (IMO). Everything that you take for granted as being easy to do with a harmless snake becomes a big deal...from cage cleaning to medical issues. To me, a "pet" is something you can relate to & handle...that's off the table with hots, and goes from difficult to impossible with giants as they grow.

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As someone who owns larger snakes I can tell you this. Even though they are more work and have big personalities they are so worth it to me. I enjoy them much more than my BPs because they are more interactive and inquisitive. As for medical issues? I don't find them to have more or less than my other animals. For the most part they are just as healthy as the rest in my care. I think of them like a wild toddler. They can get into trouble if allowed to and often will. They have moods and can throw tantrums if they don't get their way. They sulk or get excited over specific things. They want to know everything about the world around them.

Cage cleaning is just bigger cage. My animals are placed in a transport container for a few minuets and then cleaning is performed. I don't clean on and around food days if I don't absolutely have to (same for any of my other snakes). Sitting on the couch with Rainbow curled up in my lap is both relaxing and enjoyable. I take her for walks when I want her to poop before a show. She usually poops in the grass like a good girl. Is great to see her outside as well.

Relating to a huge snake? I like to eat (she likes to eat a little more than me). I like to be warm. I like to swim and climb. Some days I even recluse. I even have bad days where I want to bite someone even if just to get them to leave me alone :D:P:O:rolleyes: In different ways but yep I can relate to how she behaves.

I will continue studying them and loving them. I learn more and more every day.

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

After the bite, I no longer trust them. I feel they are more likely to give a bite more so than a BP

Yes MR Snakes, I feel an earthworm would be perfect for you!

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I have been bitten by BPs more than any other species. Miss Snow was a BEL that hated being bothered. Now she is a breeder only female in my dads care. Every time you did anything with her or around her she would just bite anything that moved. The one time Monty bit me I was teasing him to see what it would take to get him to bite so that I would know if I could trust him around kids. I tapped him on the nose a few times and eventually he was like "OK YOU ASKED FOR IT!" That told me right there that he was not a good animal for allowing others to hold him. He is a little older now and one day I might test him again but for now going to keep him as a home pet only. In the end I did "ask for it".

IMO little guys are more bitty in general than the larger ones. The larger ones seam to bite more from confusion and breeding cycle than anything else. Still studying them and still learning as I go. What a cool experience!

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Originally Posted by samsonact

idk maybe it's just me but i really wanna get bit. i love pain. no joke. i get excited when i think about being bit/scratched

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Is traumatic IMO for the animal doing the biting if you look at the most common reasons why they bite.

1. Mistaken for food. (geez I am hungry and what that is not food?)
2. I am afraid. (Please don't hurt me or GO AWAY!)

I am seeing a commonality for bites mostly being mistakes made by the owner as much as the animal. Something that I feel can be take away from that is that using proper handling procedures and consistency will help limit the issues you have with bites and herps in general.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

I've been bit by my 7 foot boa, 6 foot boa and 9 foot retic. They are all VERY laid back but a snake is a snake. The retic and 6 foot boa were from me being stupid with food. The bite from the 7 foot boa was from me startling her when she was sleeping at the front of the cage. I've had all of them since they were babies and have only been bit once by each. Stuff happens. Animals are animals. With all the bites, they didnt hurt but did bruise up very nicely. A defensive or 'omg thats not food' bite happen so quick that you dont even really have time to register it until you see blood all over. With my 7 foot boa that got startled, i reached in right after and once she smelled it was me, she was fine. The 6 foot boa and 9 foot retic, it was a feeding bite as they smelled food, so i left them alone except Caesar the retic who was outside the cage when it happened and i vent my snake hook lifting him back up to his cage so he could climb in.

Dont let a simple bite discourage you from owning a snake. Anyone who has kept snakes long enough will take bites and will take multiple bites. It's just the nature of the beast and it happens. Now if you own HOTs, then you want to triple check everything but accidents can still happen which is why you want to have protocols in place like bite kits and possibly antivenom around.

Oh and I've been bit by lots of stuff throughout the years....adult pacman frogs, bullfrogs, garter snakes, alligator lizards, geckos, ball pythons, carpet pythons and i'm sure i cant remember atm lol. Worst two that i remember were a BP who tried to drag my finger into her hide to eat it. I had to dunk her head in the waterbowl with my finger using my other hand to support her. And my pacman frog which i had to literally pry his jaws off my finger with a wooden chopstick. The whole time the frog was croaking and puffing itself up lol.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Haha i hear ya. I'm 48 as well and assuming my snakes and especially my little gila live to their golden years, I'll be around 78 by then......I'll be that weird old man with snakes and lizards lol.

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LOL.... so will I! I assume by then I will have a zoo to will to someone.

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Originally Posted by cletus

I have to agree with Dianne and Sauzo. The very few bites I've experienced with my current boas were food related and my fault. There was lots of rat scent in the air and I wasn't careful. Just quick tags. Nothing serious. When they are hungry you have to be aware. When you aren't, things can happen. If everyone is being fed on the same night I have to feed the boas first because once they smell food they are tagging the sides of their enclosure every time something moves. Especially Creeper.

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My feeding order goes like this.

1. Retics
2. Boas
3. Everyone else.

The smell seams to make them more excited than the little ones with Fiona (corn snake) being the exception. It is like she is starving every week but she is healthy.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

... As for medical issues? I don't find them to have more or less than my other animals. For the most part they are just as healthy as the rest in my care....

... My animals are placed in a transport container for a few minuets and then cleaning is performed....

Relating to a huge snake? I like to eat (she likes to eat a little more than me). I like to be warm. I like to swim and climb. Some days I even recluse. I even have bad days where I want to bite someone even if just to get them to leave me alone :D:P:O:rolleyes: In different ways but yep I can relate to how she behaves.

I will continue studying them and loving them. I learn more and more every day.

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Just to be clear, I didn't say they have MORE medical issues than other snakes, only that when they do, I was saying that it can be a bigger challenge to deal with.

And I am MOST impressed to learn that they dance!? ("minuets") Do you dance with them? I had no idea! ;) :rofl:

The nosy inquisitive nature of rat snakes is what I love about them too, I'm glad that your big snakes have you to be their advocate. All snakes need human friends.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

And I am MOST impressed to learn that they dance!? ("minuets") Do you dance with them? I had no idea! ;) :rofl:

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Typo

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Typo

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Joke

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Joke

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Lighten up! JK