Can't get over apprehensionn of being bitten

I really like my new snake, but since they don't show much emotion or facial expressions, I can't get over the ancy feeling I might get stricken when I'm picking Nanook up out of her cage. Her owners of a year say she's never bitten, either.
And when I hold her, she wants to face me and go exploring all over my face and in my hair, is this okay?

A defensive snake will be tense. If she "explores" you're fine..;) BPs are friendly for the most part.

Its fine for her to go exploring. As for the being scared of being bitten, you'll get used to your snake and will eventually be able to read her body language to see if she is thinking about striking. A give away is a tight S neck. But there is a difference between a S strike pose and the reaction to tapping your snake on the nose. You'll see that the tight S, you can tell your snake is really tensing her muscles. Your snake neck and head will wobble or shake just like you would when you hold yourself up on a pullup bar. Not many balls will strike, and im sure yours is fine. Just let her do what she wants, and if your uncomfortable with her around your face, then just hold her away from it.

There's a chance you will be bitten eventually, but I really wouldn't worry too much about it. After the shock wears off you'll realize it was nothing to get all worked up over.

However, a bite to the face wouldn't be the most pleasant thing. I personally dont let any of my snakes get within striking distance of my face.

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After the shock wears off you'll realize it was nothing to get all worked up over

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So true. Ive been tagged by my super dwarf retic a few times (my faults) and to tell you the truth the bite doesnt even hurt. You dont feel it really. They are so sharp at small that really it wont hurt until a few hours later.

Getting tagged is kind of a badge in this hobby. The thing is, as stated before, its going to happen. But in reality you'll laugh at yourself after the bite because you'll realize it really wasnt that bad.

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

Getting tagged is kind of a badge in this hobby. The thing is, as stated before, its going to happen. But in reality you'll laugh at yourself after the bite because you'll realize it really wasnt that bad.

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i agree the best cure for fear of being bitten is to be bitten! beside that i would rather be bitten by a big burm than crapped on by a small king!

The fear of the bite is far worse than the bite itself. :)

Two types of snake owners....

Those that have been bitten

and

Those that have not been bitten YET!

The only time you should ever be "afraid" of a ball python is probably the first couple months after one has hatched, and even then, it's way funnier then it is scary. My breeder friend has some baby ball pythons that are as nippy as they come, but they grow out of it and some of them never bite or strike at anything other than it's food ever again. Heck, most of the baby ball pythons that have tagged me never even drew blood.

Don't be afraid, if your snake hasn't taken a bite out of you or it's previous owners in the past, then chances are it probably won't unless you catch it in the wrong mood.. and chances are it'll let you know with noises and posture before it ever makes a move to strike.

And if you ever do get tagged, I'd bet my life on the fact that you'll laugh right after it happens. It's kind of like a "This is what I was so afraid of? BWAHAHAHA!" moment.

Have fun with your creepy crawler! :)

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Originally Posted by MissLeMew

The only time you should ever be "afraid" of a ball python is probably the first couple months after one has hatched, and even then, it's way funnier then it is scary. My breeder friend has some baby ball pythons that are as nippy as they come, but they grow out of it and some of them never bite or strike at anything other than it's food ever again. Heck, most of the baby ball pythons that have tagged me never even drew blood.

Don't be afraid, if your snake hasn't taken a bite out of you or it's previous owners in the past, then chances are it probably won't unless you catch it in the wrong mood.. and chances are it'll let you know with noises and posture before it ever makes a move to strike.

And if you ever do get tagged, I'd bet my life on the fact that you'll laugh right after it happens. It's kind of like a "This is what I was so afraid of? BWAHAHAHA!" moment.

Have fun with your creepy crawler! :)

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It's kind of funny, I jump and the snake jumps into a ball. I'm just going to try to stay away from the sharp end.

The one time I was bitten I screamed at first mainly because I was surprised. After that, I starting laughing so hard! Seriously, stubbing your pinkie toe or hitting your funny bone on something is worse.

Mine likes to bump noses with me....its how we kiss...lol. They each like different things....my norm hates my hair....a couple of others will twist into my pony tail. Henry loves to hang on the nose...:confused: seriously I have no clue what is up with him. They are just curious.

I have never been bitten but my butter is VERY sassy and often will coil up like she is going to...I just laugh at her.....she hasn't done it yet....I think she is all talk. My husband was bitten by my biggest norm due to not washing his hands after handling a mouse on feed day. Duhhhh...:rolleyes: I asked him as I had heard it is like a pin prick...he said not even that bad. So the worst is not knowing I think.

I tend to try to think of it like....don't let em see ya sweat it. Worked so far!!

lol. i always love reading this type of thread. it takes me back to before i ever got bit.
i think it was over eight years of owning royals before i got my first bight. i think she might have been in the 1800 grams range. my memory of when it happened is a little weary but one thing i cant forget is what went through my mind when it happened.... relief.
i always wondered what it would feel like. deep down inside i was terrified of it but carried on normally figuring that it would never happen.
then one day, BAM, she got me. completely my fault , but it happened.
if i didn't see it happen i would not have noticed. no pain or blood.
on the flip side i had a 150 gram girl get me and wow did i bleed. once again no pain though.
i say if its going to happen and you've never felt it before, let it happen. the key is not to pull back so as not to pull their teeth out or tear your skin.
i hope this helps you out.
john

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Originally Posted by jfreels

Two types of snake owners....
Those that have been bitten
and
Those that have not been bitten YET!

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This is exactly why I have that apprehension mentioned in the OP. I haven't been bitten yet, but it did lunge out at me during the first week we had it. Also, the lack of facial expression makes it hard to read.

I've been keeping BPs for over a year, and have been bitten twice... they do give you warning, so it wasn't much of a surprise in either situation. Like the others have said, they'll tense up and go into an "S" shape with their neck - and sometimes will give a warning strike first. But the best way to get over your apprehension is to be bitten, since it really doesn't hurt! When Julius bit me as a baby, I didn't even know until I saw the little blood drop. :D Even Delilah's big-girl bite didn't hurt, and only left a TINY mark.

Now I'm not encouraging you to make your snake bite... just saying that if it (or any other BP) does, you'll quickly realize it's nothing to fear. Don't worry much about it, though, since Balls are generally docile snakes. I say this as Toby the pastel is wrapped loosely around my neck, where he's been chilling for about 20 minutes. :gj:

Don't fear a bite dude embrace it. Yeah it hurts but so what. It can be funny if you let it. Approach it with a no fear mindset.

P.S. Delilah bit me when she was in full shed, and I had to reach in to fix her water dish... I knew she was blind and cranky, but hoped I'd be quick enough to dodge her. Guess not! :oops:

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Originally Posted by Seru1

Don't fear a bite dude embrace it. Yeah it hurts but so what. It can be funny if you let it.

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While she's never tried to bite me, my Western Hognose has puffed and hissed at me a few times... it's hilarious seeing this little worm-sized snake getting all tough with me, LOL. :D

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

When Julius bit me as a baby, I didn't even know until I saw the little blood drop.

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Omigosh, I remember that photo you posted... your hand was nearly severed and you lost so much blood... :P

bp bites arnt that bad at all. my first one i jumped but over time you just get use to it. It becomes a natural thing once you get into keeping reptiles.

I took a good ol bite from an adult male Blood, it wasnt as bad as I anticipated.

I dont think I would have any reason to fear a Ball Python bite.....

I would avoid letting mine go around my mouth and nose, for fear my exhaled breath might trigger something. lol
Apart from that, they're fine.

You will learn to read their body language over time. A snake that is considering striking gets a particularly tense look--they actually clench their jaw muscles.

Sit down and free hand pop for sex determination 100 baby burmese and see if ya don't get bitten a few times..:rofl:..You'll be a bloody mess when your done and be none the worse for wear..;)