Ouch...

Ran across this on the retic boards. Guess this guy got bit by his male mainland....
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...da2637cc_b.jpg

Wow. That'll be one heck of a scar at least, right? He'll have something to show for it. Wish we could hear the story behind it. Wonder if it was defensive or misdirected food aggression.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

No idea but if I ever took a shot like that, I probably would have to change my shorts too. You know dang well that wasn't just some little scared tap from the snake. he was out for blood which he clearly got haha.

That's brutal! Damn...

A local retic breeder that had some 14 footers and longer had been to the ER a few times. He told me that the bills for the bites ran into several thousand dollars each time.

The last time I saw him he was keeping some Wild Caught (WC) full grown Mainlands. One bit him in the face for the anchor and did a full body wrap. The guy passed out and fell to the ground. Fortunately his mother was there and was able to unwrap the snake and take her son to the hospital. I don't remember if she performed CPR. Maybe so, because he had told me that his heart had stopped.

Last I heard, he was still keeping a few WC Mainlands.

Just a tad more damage than a ball python bite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

A local retic breeder that had some 14 footers and longer had been to the ER a few times. He told me that the bills for the bites ran into several thousand dollars each time.

The last time I saw him he was keeping some Wild Caught (WC) full grown Mainlands. One bit him in the face for the anchor and did a full body wrap. The guy passed out and fell to the ground. Fortunately his mother was there and was able to unwrap the snake and take her son to the hospital. I don't remember if she performed CPR. Maybe so, because he had told me that his heart had stopped.

Last I heard, he was still keeping a few WC Mainlands.

---

Now thats hardcore!! I honestly can't say i would have the stones to continue keeping very large constrictors if i took a shot the face, got wrapped and almost died. I love reptiles but an experience like that would definitely test my metal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

Now thats hardcore!! I honestly can't say i would have the stones to continue keeping very large constrictors if i took a shot the face, got wrapped and almost died. I love reptiles but an experience like that would definitely test my metal.

---

I just hope he learned not to mess with them while alone. That's was a close call.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KMG

Just a tad more damage than a ball python bite.

---

Reminds me of....
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...b3a19273_m.jpg

Wow, that doesn't even look like a bite... It looks like someone slashed him twice with a chopping knife or something!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

A local retic breeder that had some 14 footers and longer had been to the ER a few times. He told me that the bills for the bites ran into several thousand dollars each time.

The last time I saw him he was keeping some Wild Caught (WC) full grown Mainlands. One bit him in the face for the anchor and did a full body wrap. The guy passed out and fell to the ground. Fortunately his mother was there and was able to unwrap the snake and take her son to the hospital. I don't remember if she performed CPR. Maybe so, because he had told me that his heart had stopped.

Last I heard, he was still keeping a few WC Mainlands.

---

That is wild..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

Reminds me of....
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...b3a19273_m.jpg

---

Run away!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reinz

A local retic breeder that had some 14 footers and longer had been to the ER a few times. He told me that the bills for the bites ran into several thousand dollars each time.

The last time I saw him he was keeping some Wild Caught (WC) full grown Mainlands. One bit him in the face for the anchor and did a full body wrap. The guy passed out and fell to the ground. Fortunately his mother was there and was able to unwrap the snake and take her son to the hospital. I don't remember if she performed CPR. Maybe so, because he had told me that his heart had stopped.

Last I heard, he was still keeping a few WC Mainlands.

---

Yup. Nope. I would at the very least think I got lucky once and move away from WC. I love watching videos of wild retics but that's close enough for me lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Old picture and there are more out there like that. Permanent nerve damage is a real possibility. Sauz,,, love the Monty Python pic LOL.

Anyhow, there is a reason I want my fella to stay small as that isn't my idea of fun.

Breeding males can do that if you get between them and a female.

Also for a slash like that you need to be pulling away otherwise you just get puncture wounds.

:O holy cow!!! :cow:
that's practically to the bone! my goodness...that had to have been one ticked-off snake! just wow...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Breeding males can do that if you get between them and a female.

Also for a slash like that you need to be pulling away otherwise you just get puncture wounds.

---

Agreed, and that is a natural reaction I'm sure. I have heard on occasion they will twist and shift the bite which will be a bit more damaging than a typical bite.
Also maybe you can answer this better; Do breeding males bite differently during breeding? I've read some published info that says male retics do engage in combat and they bite in a more damaging manner. Also have different type of front teeth?

Thanks for responding if you know.

Yup, that'll hurt a bit. And like Gio said, I'd be concerned with nerve damage being an issue.

Im wary of a screenshot of a screenshot. Shouldn't there be other teeth marks... Any more info from the source.

This is 1st hand account while at the hospital....

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forum...big-one-5.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Also for a slash like that you need to be pulling away otherwise you just get puncture wounds.

---

I always had heard over the years that retics were more of a slashing bite in general instead of the 'punch with an open mouth' that most boids do.
Hopefully none of ours ever lash out like that *knock on every wood surface I can find*

I love my snakes dearly and I respect their wild tendencies but if I got tagged with a bite like that it would certainly be the end of that snake. I'm jus sayin.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I love my snakes dearly and I respect their wild tendencies but if I got tagged with a bite like that it would certainly be the end of that snake. I'm jus sayin.

---

Exactly the same thing I was thinking.

Oh jeeze, you guys, seriously i was just checking the forum to post about how i think i'm getting closer to actually getting a retic...:O :tears: :puke:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dkatz4

Oh jeeze, you guys, seriously i was just checking the forum to post about how i think i'm getting closer to actually getting a retic...:O :tears: :puke:

---

Fear not !

I shared the very same concerns so I bought a Super Dwarf Purple Albino Retic that should top out at 6 to 7 foot max :)
Lovely and placid but with all the other Retic traits like their inquisitiveness and feeding response ...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1bbcc29f82.jpg

I personally wouldn't let that keep you from getting a retic. Caesar is awesome and has never tried to bite me ever. The only time he has showed any aggression except when he smells dinner lol is when i tried to hook train him. He absolutely hated the hook and hissed and opened his mouth. Other than that, he is weird in the sense that if i boop his head, he will lay down on the floor and just sit there. I accidently hit him in the head while removing his hide and he was on the other side seeing whats happening. When i hit him, he immediately laid down on the floor of the cage. I felt so bad. I pet him and he seemed ok and then started looking around again.

I was just showing what they are capable of and they need respect. Heck any large animal can do damage. Look at some dog bites. They are as bad if not worse.

And how could you resist a cute little face like this!!??
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...01a61bac_h.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

I personally wouldn't let that keep you from getting a retic. Caesar is awesome and has never tried to bite me ever. The only time he has showed any aggression except when he smells dinner lol is when i tried to hook train him. He absolutely hated the hook and hissed and opened his mouth. Other than that, he is weird in the sense that if i boop his head, he will lay down on the floor and just sit there. I accidently hit him in the head while removing his hide and he was on the other side seeing whats happening. When i hit him, he immediately laid down on the floor of the cage. I felt so bad. I pet him and he seemed ok and then started looking around again.

I was just showing what they are capable of and they need respect. Heck any large animal can do damage. Look at some dog bites. They are as bad if not worse.

And how could you resist a cute little face like this!!??
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...01a61bac_h.jpg

---

Glad we took the Dwarf x SD route.

I agree, the species is wonderful, I just have no desire to care for a big one. I was told 7-8 feet and will accept 9-11 feet if the girth is not overwhelming.

I don't see or hear from a lot of long time retic keepers.

I'd like to see a SD or dwarf that is 15 years old or more with a happy keeper.

That's guna leave a mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

Glad we took the Dwarf x SD route.

I agree, the species is wonderful, I just have no desire to care for a big one. I was told 7-8 feet and will accept 9-11 feet if the girth is not overwhelming.

I don't see or hear from a lot of long time retic keepers.

I'd like to see a SD or dwarf that is 15 years old or more with a happy keeper.

---

That's a stunner !!

Here's my SD Purple Albino :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02443541db.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zincubus

That's a stunner !!

Here's my SD Purple Albino :)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02443541db.jpg

---

I think we are all mostly reasonable here and are only in this for the love of the animals.

I have no desire to have the biggest, baddest, anything. I have no self esteem issues and no interest in what anybody else thinks of what I have. Although I do like what my friends here say about my beloved animals and I like what we all share here. Admittedly we have a somewhat "off the wall" hobby to of the general population. All of us as keepers, new or old have the responsibility to portray snakes and other reptiles in a positive light.

Zincubus, that SD purple is beautiful! As is Sauzo's Caesar, and JM's Phylis and Gerald and Stearn's Gene and the list goes on.

I enjoy people enjoying their snakes and I like the diversity we have here.

BIG, BIG stuff isn't my bag, but if it is your bag, I like it, and I want to absorb what you have to say and what you experience if it is responsibly taken care of.

Seeing a post like this, with a bite like that doesn't sit well with anybody sane. An injury like that in this hobby hurts us all believe it or not, and it educates us all a little more.

It can happen to the best of us. Nobody gets up in the morning thinking their snake is going to bite them. I'll admit I was relieved each time I was bitten by the 3 of our 4 snakes here over the years. They were all juvenile and the damage was minimal. I have ZERO interest in being a "mistake" for any adult here. Nothing I own will be as large as the snake in the first picture post. I've taken a brutal dog bite way back when I protection trained working dogs and it was not fun.

Out of all the snake boards going right now, this particular board has the most diverse population of keepers that continually contribute with their various species of boas, pythons, colubrids and more. I value REAL research and experience.

I seemed to have gone a bit off course but the message here is clear from that first picture.

If you are not well researched, not responsible and don't value the advice of knowledgeable keepers that are here to help you, you can end up in a jam.

I sent Cody "Reptile Experts" (board member here) several private messages before I bought my retic. I ran my purchase idea passed some other friends who have "been there, done that" before taking the plunge. I hope any and every potential new retic keeper looks into the different species/subspecies and asks for help/advice from other keepers before jumping into the big stuff.

I apologize if this is a rant, I served cocktails and cooked dinner over the course of this post so it was probably dragged out for an hour and a half or more. I hope it all makes sense!

Be responsible and be safe!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AbsoluteApril

I always had heard over the years that retics were more of a slashing bite in general instead of the 'punch with an open mouth' that most boids do.
Hopefully none of ours ever lash out like that *knock on every wood surface I can find*

---

I've not noticed that behavior with mine, though so far the only ones to tag me are babies in the defensive nippy phase. They all just left puncture wounds, no slashes. Maybe it's different with adults.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

I've not noticed that behavior with mine, though so far the only ones to tag me are babies in the defensive nippy phase. They all just left puncture wounds, no slashes. Maybe it's different with adults.

---

I'm going to have to look further into this when I have time. I heard males specifically, had a different couple of teeth for male/male combat that were shaped more for damage.
I also read more than one account of males being more aggressive, mostly due to breeding than the larger, but more mellow females.

All in all a good topic if we learn something from it.

I too have heard males tend to bite differently and twist during breeding season if/when they want a girlfriend. It's not a foody bite but an actual aggressive mating fighting bite i guess you would call it. No personal experience though.

And i too am glad i went the SD route. I love really large constrictors but more to just look at than to actually keep. I mean I probably would do fine but for me, its just not what i am looking for and if i found that out later in life, trying to rehome the snake or being stuck with something huge would be bad for it and I. I am happy with something around 11' max. If it means I have a small Johnson or arent in the cool crowd, so be it. I didnt like snakes to be cool. Heck i was out catching snakes, lizards, frogs and all other sorts of reptiles and amphibians as a 10 year old kid slogging through ponds with my net to catch tadpoles to watch them change into frogs and then releasing them. That was way before reptiles became the 'cool pets' for goths and all others and were featured in rock videos lol.

Ok just found out, this bite the guy took was a 'breeding' bite from a male that wanted to fight for a girlfriend lol.

So for all of us with males, watch out if your boy gets all rambunctious and wants a girlfriend. He might decide to take out his male frustrations on you lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

Ok just found out, this bite the guy took was a 'breeding' bite from a male that wanted to fight for a girlfriend lol.

So for all of us with males, watch out if your boy gets all rambunctious and wants a girlfriend. He might decide to take out his male frustrations on you lol.

---

That's a good point, even a chill male neonate can turn into a major doo-doo head once puberty hits - kind of like human males... ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

That's a good point, even a chill male neonate can turn into a major doo-doo head once puberty hits - kind of like human males... ;)

---

Good stuff here LOL!

I'm going to try to look into studies or documented and researched media that confirms this.

I particularly interested in the "combat teeth" the males are said to posses.

A friend of mine who has kept everything from colubrids to retics to king cobras told me he'd never had a problem with any of his male retics, which was refreshing and he was a mainland retic keeper.

This post is starting to cover some good topic, lets keep it up and if you find anything interesting post/link it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

I too have heard males tend to bite differently and twist during breeding season if/when they want a girlfriend. It's not a foody bite but an actual aggressive mating fighting bite i guess you would call it. No personal experience though.

And i too am glad i went the SD route. I love really large constrictors but more to just look at than to actually keep. I mean I probably would do fine but for me, its just not what i am looking for and if i found that out later in life, trying to rehome the snake or being stuck with something huge would be bad for it and I. I am happy with something around 11' max. If it means I have a small Johnson or arent in the cool crowd, so be it. I didnt like snakes to be cool. Heck i was out catching snakes, lizards, frogs and all other sorts of reptiles and amphibians as a 10 year old kid slogging through ponds with my net to catch tadpoles to watch them change into frogs and then releasing them. That was way before reptiles became the 'cool pets' for goths and all others and were featured in rock videos lol.

---

Same here. I was out catching everything scaly, crawling, slithering thing I could find since I was first able to walk. Definitely didn't do it to be cool. I was, and still am, into reptiles because they've always fascinated me.
And I totally relate to you with being happy with going the SD route. Huge snakes are absolutely amazing but it would be too much for me and unfair to the animal to be in that situation. Phyllis will likely be the largest snake I own for the foreseeable future and I'm quite alright with that.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...375bff1f05.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Same here. I was out catching everything scaly, crawling, slithering thing I could find since I was first able to walk. Definitely didn't do it to be cool. I was, and still am, into reptiles because they've always fascinated me.
And I totally relate to you with being happy with going the SD route. Huge snakes are absolutely amazing but it would be too much for me and unfair to the animal to be in that situation. Phyllis will likely be the largest snake I own for the foreseeable future and I'm quite alright with that.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...375bff1f05.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Looking good brother.

Is that the new place? The room looks really nice and clean. Perfect for AP cages and critters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gio

Looking good brother.

Is that the new place? The room looks really nice and clean. Perfect for AP cages and critters.

---

Yep! So happy to have hardwood floors again. The last apartment had carpet everywhere... even in the kitchen, gross! This place is only for up to 18 months at most as it's a temporary faculty housing option provided by Mississippi State University but such a significant upgrade from the last place in Missouri.
Yeah, the room has great lighting and a decent amount of space. Have a couple chairs set across from the enclosures so that I can watch "snake tv" when they're out and about haha. Can't wait for my T25 to ship next week so I can get that hideous neodesha cage out of that room!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Yep! So happy to have hardwood floors again. The last apartment had carpet everywhere... even in the kitchen, gross! This place is only for up to 18 months at most as it's a temporary faculty housing option provided by Mississippi State University but such a significant upgrade from the last place in Missouri.
Yeah, the room has great lighting and a decent amount of space. Have a couple chairs set across from the enclosures so that I can watch "snake tv" when they're out and about haha. Can't wait for my T25 to ship next week so I can get that hideous neodesha cage out of that room!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

OK,

Sounds great. I'm waiting for my cage to come in too. I suppose I should order my heat panel soon LOL.

We've got a storm coming in here so I've got to close some windows.
I like the room you've got there a lot.

Take care.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcrook

Yep! So happy to have hardwood floors again. The last apartment had carpet everywhere... even in the kitchen, gross! This place is only for up to 18 months at most as it's a temporary faculty housing option provided by Mississippi State University but such a significant upgrade from the last place in Missouri.
Yeah, the room has great lighting and a decent amount of space. Have a couple chairs set across from the enclosures so that I can watch "snake tv" when they're out and about haha. Can't wait for my T25 to ship next week so I can get that hideous neodesha cage out of that room!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Is it shipping next week or the next week of the next week or the next week of the next week of the next week? Lol, sorry couldnt help myself.

Phyllis is looking good. I think she is still thicker than Caesar.

Caesar shed tonight and took the godzilla of turds. This thing literally was 2" thick and about 8" long. It was about as fat around as Dottie and close to half the length of Gina lol. I have never seen him poop like that. Those Guinea pigs are doing him good haha. I was wondering why he was all out front at the glass pacing and looking at me haha. I slid the door open and about fell over from the poop bomb. Cleaned it all up, found his shed behind his hide and left the doors open so ti airs out. He's happily semi curled up in the back now lol.

I recently pissed off my juvenile blood python (because I was a stoopid hooman) and got both puncture and slashing wounds as a result. I *think* she was the one doing most of the movement in trying to avoid me/go back to her hide, but can't swear to it.

Fortunately, Nageswari is still small enough that I didn't even bother with band-aids. And she doesn't seem to have held a grudge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Prognathodon

I recently pissed off my juvenile blood python (because I was a stoopid hooman) and got both puncture and slashing wounds as a result. I *think* she was the one doing most of the movement in trying to avoid me/go back to her hide, but can't swear to it.

Fortunately, Nageswari is still small enough that I didn't even bother with band-aids. And she doesn't seem to have held a grudge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

She doesn't hold a grudge after biting YOU !?

:)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zincubus

She doesn't hold a grudge after biting YOU !?

:)

---

I deserved it. I was trying to hook her out, and instead of giving up when it didn't work/she escaped, and kept telling me no with increasing emphasis, I kept going. I've given up before when snakes have politely said no but stoopid hooman was stoopid.

I'd had surgery about 5 days before, which added to my stupid and reaction (tears, and not from pain). It took beagle snuggles and two of the BPs and my sweetheart IJCP to take turns reassuring me I wasn't a complete failure as a snake owner. [emoji846] And I didn't try to handle the blood again for a couple weeks until DH was home to get her out for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This thread is getting really good (but guys, please let's not turn it into another AP cage sales convention, LOL). Regarding breeding bites, has anyone read or heard whether or not males get all hot and bothered if there are no females around or is it only if they get the scent of love in the air?
Also leaning towards something with SD influence, 10 to 12 feet seems ideal to me. Although, and this is a whole different topic, I am looking for some information on size control through feeding strategies.

More info linked for furthering the discussion.

Male, pre-mating combat is mentioned as is the "slashing" style bite. The mention of specialized teeth appears to be real as well according to this site.


http://reticulatedpython.info/h5.html

http://reticulatedpython.info/h5.html