Accidental self biting?

Out of curiosity, so I know what to do if it happens, what's the protocol if a snake misses the feeder with a strike and bites itself instead? Will they generally let go on their own or would they need assistance?

I've had that happen many times. They always correct it themselves. I've never needed to help.

My hognose held on to herself for a good five mins but eventually she figured it out. ;)

If a woma has not managed to bite, constrict and eat itself I am pretty sure it will not happen with any other species. Mine bite themselves quite often while trying to eat the hook. They always let go.

It's pretty rare for them to bite themselves and actually hang on more than a couple seconds. Most figure it out pretty quick and release - it might take a minute if they're hooked in good. I've only once had to intervene and that was a crazy bull snake that was determined to kill and eat the thrashing thing(her tail) that she latched. I restrained her so she wouldn't hurt herself and after a minute or so she released. I excused her silliness because she was deep in shed and still rebounding from dropping a clutch.

Thanks everyone, that's all good to know! Glad it's not a serious problem

I have a rosy boa that is notorious for doing this. I have to pick her up, carry her silly self to the sink, and pour some lukewarm water on her. And have the mouse right there for her or she'll latch on to me. She does this about 25% of the time. Urg

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Originally Posted by DLena

I have a rosy boa that is notorious for doing this. I have to pick her up, carry her silly self to the sink, and pour some lukewarm water on her. And have the mouse right there for her or she'll latch on to me. She does this about 25% of the time. Urg

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ugggghhh!!!! :O
What we are willing to do for our animals.... :D

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

ugggghhh!!!! :O
What we are willing to do for our animals.... :D

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Isn't it true? And whenever I talk about getting tagged or musked, it's always with a silly look on my face and love in my heart. And it's never their fault, and if it is their fault, then it's "just the way they are." :halohorn:

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Originally Posted by DLena

Isn't it true? And whenever I talk about getting tagged or musked, it's always with a silly look on my face and love in my heart. And it's never their fault, and if it is their fault, then it's "just the way they are." :halohorn:

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Soooooo true!!!!! When people ask if I've been bitten by my snakes, I just say yeah, with a very matter-of-fact tone. And always follow it up by saying it was my fault though (because it was ;)). But, they are wild animals, after all, so it's in their nature to defend themselves the only way they know how...
As responsible keepers, we do what we need to do for them (even if it means making excuses for them).

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Originally Posted by DLena

Isn't it true? And whenever I talk about getting tagged or musked, it's always with a silly look on my face and love in my heart. And it's never their fault, and if it is their fault, then it's "just the way they are." :halohorn:

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This literally sums up snake ownership. I am the exact same way!

I've only had to deal with this once so far. My hypo BCI missed and struck / constricted himself...We're talking rolling around the cage, thrashing, while trying to "kill" the feeder, which was his own neck. I keep a spray bottle of water with some listerine mixed in just in case I need to get a snake to release me (for accidental bites), so I used that on him and he let go almost instantly. I wash shocked that he hadn't done damage to himself with all the thrashing and rolling around he was doing lol.

Mine bit himself during feeding, then held on and began pulling. I just picked him up and put him under running water, and he let go. It worked fine for me, but I suppose if you hold it too long you could drown the snake so you would need to be careful.

MOST of the time, when a snake accidentally catches themselves instead of their prey, they let go. And putting them in their water bowl (if it's big enough)
or under running water is a good, harmless way to make them let go. Snakes don't drown easily & I doubt they'd drown before letting go. The water serves
as a little shock to their system, it "changes the subject" for all but the most determined. If not, a dab of alcohol or vinegar on their mouth should also work.

FYI, one of the albino cal-kings I had for many years got a little goofy in her dotage: she actually tried to eat her own tail once but finally let go under water. :O