What do you do when you get bit by a red tail?!

I really want a RTB but the only thing holding me back is one thought. What happens when you have a 6 ft + red tail boa, and it bites you? Then what? Do you just treat it like a bite from a bp, or panic and try to pry its jaws open?

Most adult boas are pretty tame, so while getting bit is possible it isn't likely. Panicking is not going to get you anywhere with any snake bite. I don't have a 6+ ft RTB yet as mine is still a baby, but most snake bites that result in the snake constricting are related to a stupid feeding mistake. Just be mindful of that and you shouldn't have a problem.

I keep a dozen boas. Only baby and young boas have bitten me. I find that the bigger boas are less likely to bite. Maybe get a little cage agression when you take them out.

+1 Kinra...most bites from snakes are defensive and over before you even notice it. The bad ones are generally human error and caused a feeding response. I've been defensively bitten by my (little) boa a few times and usually I don't notice he tagged me until I see the blood.

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Originally Posted by gold217

I really want a RTB but the only thing holding me back is one thought. What happens when you have a 6 ft + red tail boa, and it bites you? Then what? Do you just treat it like a bite from a bp, or panic and try to pry its jaws open?

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Red Tail Boa's teeth are like shark teeth. They are sharp and angled inward so prey can't escape from their bite. You have to pry it's mouth open while moving your hand or whatever part of your body that was bitten into their mouth. Pulling your hand out will increase the depth and'or length of the lacerations.

I have two blood pythons and haven't been tagged yet **knock on wood**. Depending on the lacerations you could bandage it up yourself using a butterfly bandage or you might need stitches.

After my snakes have been fed I wait 2 days so they can digest their food. Then I handle them nearly everyday till their next feeding. I handle them for 30 minutes each. It's important to tame the animal even if it was captive breed.

You increase your chances of being bite if you stick your hand in their territory during feeding, especially if your hands smell like diner. Also if you have a female on a clutch of eggs. Always watch the snake and what's doing, that'll help you from not getting bitten. :D

Pretty much what everyone els said. Dont let the fear of being bitten keep you from getting a snake. As others have said, most adult boas are pretty laid back. Can they bite you....yes, will they... probably. Not saying it will but, you can bet with any snake you have no matter what species, it's at some point going to bite or try to bite you. Lol most of the strikes by snakes are defensive. It's not common for them to hold on and constrict. There are times they will. It may be a feeding accident or one that's just peeved to the point of holding on. Like stated above, if this happens dont panic. Yes it will take some time and help to get the mouth pried open and the teeth out of you skin.... But it happens. You can try the water over the head thing or the alcohol thing. Just dont let that fear keep you from getting an animal you truly want.

I thought the general rule was to take pics and post them here!

In all seriousness, don't let the fear of a bite stop you from getting a RTB if that's what you really want. It is my understanding that they can be nippy when they're young but get better with more frequent handling and by the time they're big enough to hurt when they bite, they're usually pretty docile.

my RTB powder is to small to even speak of, but my Macklots python is 6 - 8 foot of living chainsaw so I have a bit of experience

First off, being bitten is nothing. If it is a large animal chances are that if you get bit it will be over before you even realize what has happened.. and then you just have to deal with some pain

Id be lying if I said bites aren't a serious thing to avoid... some bites from large animals have been known to cut arteries and even do nerve damage. However, these two things are analogous to being struck by lightning, it just wont happen

I haven't been bitten yet by my Macklots python, BUT I have the amazing ability to read animals body language very well so I usually know how/when to interact with them, all with the goal in mind to not get bitten

but if I do.. who cares. I recently slashed my finger open with a pair of scissors, and I would bet that hurt 10000000x more than a big snake bite

No reason to be affraid :gj:

I have an 8+ft rtb, she is an angel, I feed her FT, so I never see her in the stalking/feeding mode.

I also have 2 others that are about 3-4 ft, they are fed live (soon to change), with them I have the agression issues, but once out of their enclosures they are fine, and a joy to handle.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

I have an 8+ft rtb, she is an angel, I feed her FT, so I never see her in the stalking/feeding mode.

I also have 2 others that are about 3-4 ft, they are fed live (soon to change), with them I have the agression issues, but once out of their enclosures they are fine, and a joy to handle.

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How often do you handle your 8 ft red tail?

About 3-4 times a week we take her out to watch tv with us on the bed, she doesn't wander much, she usually just cruises the bed then lays up on a pillow.

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Originally Posted by gold217

I really want a RTB but the only thing holding me back is one thought. What happens when you have a 6 ft + red tail boa, and it bites you? Then what? Do you just treat it like a bite from a bp, or panic and try to pry its jaws open?

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I know all the talk of it not happening and how to prevent it is nice but to address the question of what if:

If it bites and holds on, poor alcohol, any kind, in its mouth. 99.9% of the time they'll let go. While any alcohol will do, mouthwash seems to be the most used medium. BHB certainly swears by it.

Pressing an icecube just to the very tip of the nose seemed to work great on a snake the other day.

I've also used lukewarm water poured onto the face/mouth.

Haven't ever had to try alcohol/mouthwash.

ok, not sure if anyone mentioned this yet.. MOUTHWASH!

I had a 6 footer bite and wrap my arm.. all I had to do is splash a little bit of mouth wash onto my arm where he had hold..

The alcohol in it makes them spit you out..

keep in mind, that part hurts more then GETTING bit.. but it works and is quick !!

I always have one of those travel sized bottles in my reptile room..

It worked when I got wrapped by the boa, as well as a couple times with a bp.. as well as a young savannah monitor that liked the taste of my finger :(

I have also heard that mouthwash works great! It will also clean the wound at the same time! :rolleyes:

Just like everyone here said don't let fear overcome you and if you still fear a bite I would recommend keeping some rubbing alcohol or some hard liquor handy they seem let go when they feel the burn

If you happen to find yourself in the jaws of a big boa, don't panic, try to push your hand towards the back of the throat and then slide your hand out (they have barbed teeth; if you try to pull your hand directly out of the snake's mouth, you will end up shredding your arm). I've heard all about how cold water, straight alcohol, and mouthwash will make the snake let go, honestly I don't know how well any of these would work, but it's worth a try for sure. If nothing else just wait. The snake will let go eventually. Then continue to clean the wound as best you can. If you've lost much blood a visit to urgent care might be a good idea. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the wound, keep in clean, and go to a doctor if there is any sign of infection.


Precautions are key. Big boas should NOT be underestimated, but the truth is that if you respect their potential and take measures to keep yourself safe, nothing will happen. Just basic things like never handling a big boa alone, always having someone present in the room during feedings, always lock the cage, don't put a big boa around your neck, never handle a boa while intoxicated, always keep your face and neck at a distance whenever opening the cage, etc. If you are mindful of what could happen, you are safe.

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Originally Posted by gold217

I really want a RTB but the only thing holding me back is one thought. What happens when you have a 6 ft + red tail boa, and it bites you? Then what? Do you just treat it like a bite from a bp, or panic and try to pry its jaws open?

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1) Use one of the above mentioned methods to get the snake to release.
2) Return snake to enclosure.
3) Take photos of bite.
4) Clean and treat bite with anti-bacterial hand soap and Neosporin.
5) Post photos on BP.net.

Keep a large, wide, thin rubber spatula in your snake room. These work great for gently encouraging a biting snake to let go, and you don't have to worry about the snake aspirating any liquid like you would with mouthwash, alcohol, water, etc.

It really helps if you have someone there to help firmly but gently press the spatula between the snake's upper teeth and whatever body part it's currently latched onto...the very few times I've had to use this trick it has worked pretty darn quickly.

Make sure that the rubber/silicone spatula end is firm enough not to flex too much, but not hard plastic that could damage the snake's mouth/teeth.

Afterwards you clean it up, take some pics, then laugh & joke how glad you were that it wasn't a retic bite. ;)

I didn't see anyone mention the alcohol in a spritz bottle technique?

NEVER HANDLE A LARGE BOA OR ANY LARGE SNAKE BY YOURSELF! I wrote that in caps bc I cant stress that enough. Keep a bottle of cheap alcohol near you or hot not boiling but hot water near by. Pour alcohol\hot water on snakes head\body and they should release right away. Like someone has already said do not pull your hand or body part back you need to remember these teeth are like giant needle hooks and pulling away will only drive them deeper. I have been bitten by 6-9 foot snakes( i dont count the bps or smaller snakes since there bites are cake) a few times and its not fun but its a part of the hobby. Never did they try and constrict me though it was a bite and release.

If you are worried about it not letting go, keep a spray bottle wit vodka in it near the cage. If you get bit and can't get the snake off, or it constricts you, just spray a little vodka in it's mouth. It doesn't hurt the snake, but it's instincts tell it that it's bitten something poisonous, since it tastes bitter and nasty, and it will usually let go. ;)

its just the shock then its gone no need to be scared it a kiss just like getting a tattoo

Don’t get me wrong, I think snakes are the greatest pets. However, my advice would be not to own a snake of any kind that you are scared of. It is important that you are relaxed when handling your animals. They will sense your discomfort, which will make him/her distrust you and feel insecure, causing them to be defensive and quite a bit more likely to bite you. Of course, any snake can bite, no matter how docile they might seem. You should always be prepared to handle a problem. Again, if you aren’t comfortable, you will probably freak out if (when) this happens, likely causing additional harm to yourself and the animal. You need to do your research and make sure you are comfortable with the needs of a mature animal, and prepared for the responsibility. If you are scared to handle him/her this may lead to you just not doing so and, like all animals, if they aren’t used to being handled they won’t like it. Boa’s can be the most lovely pets, if you put in the time. I have 5 boas myself and they are teddy bears. Unlike most snakes, boas actually seem to enjoy being handled, provided they are healthy, well fed (a boa who is not being fed enough will become cage aggressive and defensive), and have not had a negative history with humans (though even the abused can be rescued and easily tamed with some TLC). I usually have one around my arm/neck/waist around the house. Sometimes we have a nap on the couch together. They are my favourite!!!

Careful not to jump or panic. If you get bit check the wound for teeth.

My first snake was a RTB, (1992) and I wasn't keeping him right at all . He was about 6ft and in a 75 gal viv in my living room without hides, and was very cage aggressive. I had to use a hook and leather gloves to get him out of the tank. I got bit by him a few times. I know more now and thanks to the internet there is good info out there for keeping one and sites like this to get advice on keeping them. I was a dumb kid relying on pet store info, and ultimately lost him to a fatal rat bite (large rat).

I've been tagged by my blood python... never my other snakes... I did not even feel it, I just saw the blood. Of course my blood python was only 2 years old... so she's still small. When I go in to do whatever.. I always go with the idea that I am going to get bit.. that way If I get bit, I don't react and possibly cause damage to the snake in the process. I'd prefer to get hurt and heal than to let one of my snakes get hurt.

Don't worry.. You'll be fine.. just don't get into poisonous snakes. cause that is a whole new ball game.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I know all the talk of it not happening and how to prevent it is nice but to address the question of what if:

If it bites and holds on, poor alcohol, any kind, in its mouth. 99.9% of the time they'll let go. While any alcohol will do, mouthwash seems to be the most used medium. BHB certainly swears by it.

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Alcohol like vodka, bourbon ect... not isopropyl or other medical alcohol.