How many times have you been bitten?

My BP nipped me for the first time this week after I had been holding her for a bit. I have had her for 6 months and handle her weekly. I am sure she had her reasons, but to me it came out of nowhere. I am just curious if others have had surprise bites from their BPs? And if so, how many?

Thirdly, how do you get over the fear of being bitten again?

I have been bitten just once and it was 100% my fault. I cant really give advice on how to get over the fear of being bitten. They are harmless so I automatically don't fear them. Can you explain how you were bitten?

I've never been tagged by my BP, but I've been bitten by several of my colubrids. Just knowing they don't have the potential to do any real damage is enough to not be afraid of them for me.

As for getting over it, all I can say is maybe avoid handling whenever the snake isn't absolutely calm for awhile to condition yourself back to being unafraid of a bite? If you're jumpy and nervous around a snake, I think they can pick up on it and it makes them more likely to nip at you, so make sure you're calm before you go into the tank too.

I kind of stopped counting after 10, hatchling season is like being attacked by piranhas :rofl:

The more animals you deal with yours and others the more you get tagged!

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I kind of stopped counting after 10, hatchling season is like being attacked by piranhas :rofl:

The more animals you deal with yours and others the more you get tagged!

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HAHA! Thanks Deborah. Yes, so true! In the last week I got nipped bit by 3 animals; a dog jumped and bit my butt while out for a walk; my guinea pig mistook my hand for food and bit me then Seshat (my BP). :weirdface Funny enough, the Seshat's was the lease painful. In fact, I was surprised that it didn't hurt.

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Originally Posted by Gerardo

I have been bitten just once and it was 100% my fault. I cant really give advice on how to get over the fear of being bitten. They are harmless so I automatically don't fear them. Can you explain how you were bitten?

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Funny you should ask. I think it was my fault too. I upgraded her into a lovely 128 tank from the itty-bitty tank she came with. Her hide-outs have always been shoeboxes. She loves them, especially flinging the lid across her bachelorette. In her new condo I gave her a traditional dome hut. The problem is that, it broke our ritual of how I handle her. With shoeboxes part of her body was against the opening and I would gently stroke her to let her know I was there. I figured, I don't like being jolted awake so neither would she. This touching gave her a chance to wake up, register that I was there and know that no harm was coming to her. With the new hide-out, I couldn't give her my usual signal and had to lift it and then grab her.

She rolled up into a ball. I stroked the side of her tummy, which I have done a thousand times, It helps get her up and going. Her head did come out then NIP! It was like getting my hand slapped for rudely awakening her.

Between catching snakes when I was a kid and all the different species I have had over the years, I would guess more than a hundred. I remember my buddy and I going out and catching 72 Eastern Garter Snakes in a single weekend. I couldn't tell you how many times we were bit just in those 3 days but it was quite a few.

I've been twice bit in the face. One was by a very large Garter. It was the biggest I had ever caught to date and had to be every bit of 3 1/2 feet or more. I had it cradled in my arms and thought he had calmed down when he just came up without warning and caught me on the bottom lip. I dropped him and had this big snake writhing all over, hanging off my face. I lowered my face to the ground before he finally let go. My lip was pretty nasty looking. The other was about a 7 ft Retic. Northern Water snakes have nasty dispositions and I can say with some confidence, that I have been bit by just about every one I have ever caught.

Venomous snakes aside, the worse thing about a bite is the strike. That in itself is usually way more startling than the bite is painful.

I've been tag a few as for the balls i don't worrie about cause i know it's a nothing bite

I've never been bitten by any of my snakes…not even by my BRB, and I was prepared for the spawn of Satan when I first got her. :D

I'm not really afraid of getting tagged though…I figure it'll happen at some point, seeing as I have three snakes and most likely will get more eventually, and from what I've heard, the damage is minimal. I'm fairly certain that my parents' cat could do more damage than any of my snakes…and that cat is evil.

once. it was by a hatchling at an expo. it didn't hurt, but sure surprised the hell out of me.

In my 39 years of dealing with snakes both wild and captive I've been bitten at least 75 times by snakes ranging from a small garter to fairly large pythons. I've only been bitten on the face once by my own Eunectes notaeus, stupid mistake on my part, and all of the rest of the bites have been on my arms and hands. I don't use hooks and I don't restrain snakes by the neck so I get bitten occasionally. Getting pooped on, IMHO, is far worse than 99% of non-venomous snakebites.

My BP has never even tried to tag me. My young Bloods, GTP, and Hoggy have all been successful. I lost count of tags from the Bloods and GTP. But it has been a long time now since my last tag.

I went to see some new snakes today at a local breeders and one of them was possessed! I got bitten 8 times in the space of 30 seconds, ball python bites aren't really something to be worried about :) the best way to get over a bite is to get bit again ;)


0.1 Spotnose, 0.1 Fire 0.1 het pied, 1.0 het pied, 1.0 Lesser, 1.0 Pastel, 1.0 Normal

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Originally Posted by Kayak Steve

In my 39 years of dealing with snakes both wild and captive I've been bitten at least 75 times by snakes ranging from a small garter to fairly large pythons. I've only been bitten on the face once by my own Eunectes notaeus, stupid mistake on my part, and all of the rest of the bites have been on my arms and hands. I don't use hooks and I don't restrain snakes by the neck so I get bitten occasionally. Getting pooped on, IMHO, is far worse than 99% of non-venomous snakebites.

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LOL! Agreed. She pee'd and marshmellow'd on me (urates - I call them marshmellows) and it was awful.

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Originally Posted by Jamiesniper

I went to see some new snakes today at a local breeders and one of them was possessed! I got bitten 8 times in the space of 30 seconds, ball python bites aren't really something to be worried about :) the best way to get over a bite is to get bit again ;)


0.1 Spotnose, 0.1 Fire 0.1 het pied, 1.0 het pied, 1.0 Lesser, 1.0 Pastel, 1.0 Normal

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WOW :O I think that's a record. Yeah it's retarded. It didn't hurt - like...at all... so why the heck do I fear being bitten. Maybe it's because I'm afraid she'll clamp down on my finger, ear or something, and I won't be able to get her off.

It's a personal record for me haha! The only bite that's hurt me is from one of my females, she bit me after I stupidly lifted rodents and didn't wash my hands straight after, she bit and held on for a good 15min, I ended up having to dunk her in water, which I hate doing, just to get her to release. Any other bite I've had has happened before I realised, if you know it's going to happen I think it's worse but if it happens suddenly you hardly realise


0.1 Spotnose, 0.1 Fire 0.1 het pied, 1.0 het pied, 1.0 Lesser, 1.0 Pastel, 1.0 Normal

I've been bitten a few times. Most recently I was moving one of my yearlings so I could clean his tub and he tagged me. He hadn't poo'd in a while though, so maybe that's why. I'd be grumpy too. LOL

I've only been bitten once and it was just last night! One of my bumblebee girls completely missed the f/t rat that was hanging off the tongs and grabbed my finger instead. She immediately wrapped my hand and wouldn't let go. I had to run water over her to get her to let go. Not a pleasant experience for me or the snake, but all said and done it wasn't that bad!

My BP has never bit me, but I think that's probably more forgiveness of errors on his part than lack of on mine.


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Probably about 10 times and all from my old corn snake. Doesn't hurt just more startling than anything. He did bite once and didn't let go tho. Sweat he was trying to eat my hand lol. My ball python I've never even been struck by. Hisses every now and again when he's in shed, but apart from that for the 4-5 years I've had him I haven't seen any aggressive behavior from him bbq

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Originally Posted by djon89

Probably about 10 times and all from my old corn snake. Doesn't hurt just more startling than anything. He did bite once and didn't let go tho. Swear he was trying to eat my hand lol. My ball python I've never even been struck by. Hisses every now and again when he's in shed, but apart from that for the 4-5 years I've had him I haven't seen any aggressive behavior from him.

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actually that's a lie, it's been more than that.

Thanks for all the replies. Since food is the trigger for her aggression (she's a bottomless pit) and is constant hunting mode, I am wondering if I should decrease the feedings and increase the handling. I could give her a decent size feeder every 3 weeks? I know it doesn't hurt to get tagged, but I really don't want to be struck at every time I clean her condo or wish to hold her.

Have not been bitten by my BP yet but been tagged years ago by my red tail boa and as a kid was bitten countless times by blue racers,water snakes and what have you. My daughters corn snake has bit me a bunch of times and even tried to swallow my finger once.
Snake bites are nothing, got tagged by a very large pissed off Iguana once and that will get your attention.

Yikes, about the iguana.

No snakes here, yet. Nevertheless, I keep a flock of laying hens, and a normally calm Buff Orphington will change completely if she gets broody. Shrieik and stab every day. These girls chase down and dismember mice, so it is not like its just a little tap with the beak.

I'm hoping this ongoing experience will desensitize me to some extent with the future snakes.

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Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

I could give her a decent size feeder every 3 weeks?

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How often are you feeding her now?

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

How often are you feeding her now?

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Once every seven days. She was a bit small when I got her (just under 2lbs - she's 5+) and has gained half a pound since living with me (6 months) As such, I am reluctant to cutting her feedings as I feel she might be playing catch up. Maybe I just start feeding her in a room completely separate from her living quarters.

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Originally Posted by Smitty33

Have not been bitten by my BP yet but been tagged years ago by my red tail boa and as a kid was bitten countless times by blue racers,water snakes and what have you. My daughters corn snake has bit me a bunch of times and even tried to swallow my finger once.
Snake bites are nothing, got tagged by a very large pissed off Iguana once and that will get your attention.

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Ouch! I did not know Iguana's could bite.

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Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

Ouch! I did not know Iguana's could bite.

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a large, angry iguana can ruin your week.

Never in 2nd a half years. I'm sure it will one day though.

I just got bit taking my first bp, and first pet snake, out of his shipping packaging XD. In his defense his delivery got delayed by around seven hours so I'm sure he was pretty stressed. He's only a 2015, probably still afraid of getting eaten too. Plus I was all anxious, couldn't sleep last night because I was afraid I would sleep through he door bell, and then I was stressing about when he was going to arrive. He actually let me stroke him a bit. But when I went to pick him up to weigh him he struck me. It didn't hurt at all, startled me pretty bad. I think it might just be instinctual to fear the bite, or a culture thing. Like about the cats, we're pretty used to getting bit by cats and its not really scary when it actually hurts a lot more than a snake bite. Personally, this being my first snake, it'll probably just take time to get desensitized to it. I'm not at all afraid of snakes, but a lot of people around us are and I think that influences us more than we realize.

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Originally Posted by se7en

a large, angry iguana can ruin your week.

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No doubt. There is a large one named Gizmo at the reptile store I go to. He's huge, gorgeous and has a tail on him that looks like I can slice right through you.

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Originally Posted by nightwolfsnow

I just got bit taking my first bp, and first pet snake, out of his shipping packaging XD. In his defense his delivery got delayed by around seven hours so I'm sure he was pretty stressed. He's only a 2015, probably still afraid of getting eaten too. Plus I was all anxious, couldn't sleep last night because I was afraid I would sleep through he door bell, and then I was stressing about when he was going to arrive. He actually let me stroke him a bit. But when I went to pick him up to weigh him he struck me. It didn't hurt at all, startled me pretty bad. I think it might just be instinctual to fear the bite, or a culture thing. Like about the cats, we're pretty used to getting bit by cats and its not really scary when it actually hurts a lot more than a snake bite. Personally, this being my first snake, it'll probably just take time to get desensitized to it. I'm not at all afraid of snakes, but a lot of people around us are and I think that influences us more than we realize.

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I totally agree and now understand why people fear snakes. Many are harmless, but their strike is so powerful it freaks the daylights out you. My guinea pig almost took my thumb off once, yet I did not fear handling him again. Strange how the mind works.

I'm sorry your baby had a stressful trip to you. Hopefully he's settling in ok. Enjoy your new snake!

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Originally Posted by squatsnstilettos

I totally agree and now understand why people fear snakes. Many are harmless, but their strike is so powerful it freaks the daylights out you. My guinea pig almost took my thumb off once, yet I did not fear handling him again. Strange how the mind works.

I'm sorry your baby had a stressful trip to you. Hopefully he's settling in ok. Enjoy your new snake!

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He seems to be settling in well. He doesn't hiss or strike at the glass when you look at him. Either gets curious and looks at you closer flicking his tongue or turns his head back around in his hide. So he's clearly not an aggressive snake, just needs to get comfortable with me.

I like to put a positive spin on things. I get kissed by snakes daily this time of year. I don't count it as a bite unless they hold on or wrap. I only get bitten a couple times a year and it's always a feeding error.

Tagged five times today by the same snake...five to six times yesterday...five to six the day before...and before that..and before that...

I have met countless people that will gladly walk right up to a large dog and pet, hug, and kiss it but are scared witless of a harmless snake. I can only guess at what goes through some people's heads?

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Originally Posted by Kayak Steve

I have met countless people that will gladly walk right up to a large dog and pet, hug, and kiss it but are scared witless of a harmless snake. I can only guess at what goes through some people's heads?

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Humans have an evolutionary predisposition to fear snakes and spiders, amongst other animals. Being fearful of venomous and dangerous species gave you a selective advantage in our ancient past. Combine that now with social stigmas, media biases and sensationalized news stories, and it is a recipe for widespread fear and hatred.

Although I absolutely believe in educating and exposing people to snakes as a tool to quell fears, sometimes it is impossible to do so.

Admittedly I am horrifically scared of spiders and all bugs to be honest. Every reptile expo that I go to I cant stand seeing the invertebrates. I literally cant come within ten feet of one. I have tried a dozen times to bring myself to touch a spider, but cant do it.

Point is that some people will never ever be able to like or even tolerate snakes. Best we can do is work to conserve our hobby and help those that want to participate do so.

Twice by a Berm, a few from a corn, and to many to count from one of my BP's. I think he was miss handled before I got him though.

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Originally Posted by John1982

I like to put a positive spin on things. I get kissed by snakes daily this time of year. I don't count it as a bite unless they hold on or wrap. I only get bitten a couple times a year and it's always a feeding error.

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Great spin on this! Seshat does indeed give kisses. She likes to lick me and will even do so on my lips so maybe this was just another one of her kisses. :)

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Humans have an evolutionary predisposition to fear snakes and spiders, amongst other animals. Being fearful of venomous and dangerous species gave you a selective advantage in our ancient past. Combine that now with social stigmas, media biases and sensationalized news stories, and it is a recipe for widespread fear and hatred.

Although I absolutely believe in educating and exposing people to snakes as a tool to quell fears, sometimes it is impossible to do so.

Admittedly I am horrifically scared of spiders and all bugs to be honest. Every reptile expo that I go to I cant stand seeing the invertebrates. I literally cant come within ten feet of one. I have tried a dozen times to bring myself to touch a spider, but cant do it.

Point is that some people will never ever be able to like or even tolerate snakes. Best we can do is work to conserve our hobby and help those that want to participate do so.

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Well said. I am the same with spiders. Don't know why. Yet my mom loves them but is deathly afraid of snakes.

My jungle carpet python punches me (closed mouth striking) sometimes, but he's only actually bitten me once. Could barely tell, I didn't even know he bit me at first. Baby snakes are so silly, thinking theyre danger noodles! ;p