My 6 foot RTB bit me and I'm a little freaked out

[Newbie39]

Thank you, and yes, she is my friend. I've been bonding with her over the last 6 months, she doesn't hate people, and has never shown any signs of aggression before this. She's not a trick and I don't think of her as a 'prop' either. I think of her as a dance partner. I never force her into movements as was shown on the youtube links someone posted. I let her use me as her tree as I dance slowly and carefully. I'm sure most people here will not understand the difference and that's ok.

You think of her as a dance partner? She is a snake and a pet. You need to treat as such. She is likely very stressed by your actions.

[Cheesenugget]

In some cultures and older traditions, I think it is not unusual to use an animal to "dance" with or as part of a ritual dance. Of course, some end up being sacrificed at the end but there was a dance of some sort, so is that the type of dance you are performing? Some kind of a spiritual dance?

I personally would not use any of my pets for such activities, and I have dogs, cats, etc. None, especially with a snake. The reason why you were bit? Because they are animals. That would be the most simple, straight forward answer. Even if your pet was healthy, it does not mean it won't strike out. Unless you can read snake behavior to the dot, which sounds like you can't yet due to lack of experience, the chances of being bitten again is great. I'm sure if I stress my dog--who is well trained with CGC--she too would eventually had enough and nip.

Being creative should not equate to being selfish. Your snake never had a choice but to be your pet and to be pulled in every direction you want it to take. If you are creative in your art, you can find something else (non living) to compliment your dance.

[Prognathodon]

Think about it this way: You’re in your bedroom relaxing, when some giant thing takes you out and does that weird giant thing that they do with you, then puts you back in your room. OK, fine, whatever, it’s that weird thing, back to what you were doing before.

Fast forward a short while, giant thing takes you out of your bedroom, puts you into a strange box with strange stuff, box moves and shakes for a long time, giant takes you out in strange place, strange smells, strange lights, and does that weird thing they do. Then puts you in strange box. You’re trying to be cool about this, at least the giant and the weird thing they do with you is familiar. Except then they take you out, do the weird thing again, and back in the box again. What the what? And then AGAIN. What is going on giant thing? What are you doing to me? (Yes, she probably was displaying signs of stress). Back again. WHAT? AGAIN? That’s IT! You wouldn’t pay attention when I told you nicely, now you get the bite!

And that’s without the stress of mites - think being lived on by a horde of mosquitos.

If you wanted her to be a dance partner, you’d limit it to once or twice a week, at home, for only a few minutes at a time, and only when she’s clearly happy/comfortable snake. It does sound like your dancing with her is probably reasonable, but the rest is a recipe for getting bit.

We’ve all made mistakes. I unintentionally annoyed my blood python enough that she progressed from body language, through warning nose-bops, a couple mild defensive nips, to full-on KNOCK THAT GARBAGE OFF bites. And it was my fault for not “listening” when she told me she didn’t like what I was doing. But I realized my errors very quickly after it happened, and haven’t made the same mistakes since.


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[aliamo]

Prognathodon - thanks for that analogy. Totally makes sense and I figured so much was the case. Just to clarify, I didn't take her out several times during the week for dancing. I practiced with her earlier in the week, then discovered the mite issue, took her out to treat her and the cage, naively thought she was better due to not seeing any and her not soaking anymore, then brought her out to take her to the studio. I am just now learning about how mites work, I was aware of them before but didn't think they would be an issue for me since I do not have any other animals.

To the others, yes, she is my pet and I have deep respect for her. When I said I think of her as my dance partner i meant WHILE I am dancing with her, rather than thinking of her as a prop. I do belly dance and have several friends who dance with their snakes AND have been raising snakes for years and very knowledgeable and respectful of their animals. Just trying to point out that it's not impossible to have respect and knowledge of an animal AND also work with them in creative ways. That being said, I have not performed with her on stage as of yet. I have just been bonding with her and getting to know her in the time I have had her and have only casually danced around at home with her before taking her to the studio for the first time.

[tttaylorrr]

Prognathodon - thanks for that analogy. Totally makes sense and I figured so much was the case. Just to clarify, I didn't take her out several times during the week for dancing. I practiced with her earlier in the week, then discovered the mite issue, took her out to treat her and the cage, naively thought she was better due to not seeing any and her not soaking anymore, then brought her out to take her to the studio. I am just now learning about how mites work, I was aware of them before but didn't think they would be an issue for me since I do not have any other animals.

To the others, yes, she is my pet and I have deep respect for her. When I said I think of her as my dance partner i meant WHILE I am dancing with her, rather than thinking of her as a prop. I do belly dance and have several friends who dance with their snakes AND have been raising snakes for years and very knowledgeable and respectful of their animals. Just trying to point out that it's not impossible to have respect and knowledge of an animal AND also work with them in creative ways. That being said, I have not performed with her on stage as of yet. I have just been bonding with her and getting to know her in the time I have had her and have only casually danced around at home with her before taking her to the studio for the first time.

i came down pretty harsh on you earlier, which i really hope you didn't take personal offense to. i'm sorry if i ended up offending you, as that wasn't my intention. you're here to correct your mistakes and i really hope you take everyone's words to heart. we only want what's best for your girl.

first and foremost you need to get her healthy. you shouldn't even be thinking about her performing; she does NOTHING besides eat, sleep, drink and poop until she is 100% better. once she's healthy, you need to go sloooooooooooooooow. the pace you were working her at before might have been a bit much (with or without mites) so take things on her time. she also might be freaked out from the last experience so you need to make sure she is TOTALLY comfortable before you push her any further.

honestly, knowing my own snakes (i keep no boas) i would probably work with them for almost a year before i was confident they could "perform." but i really don't know much about boas or performing with snakes lol.

Just trying to point out that it's not impossible to have respect and knowledge of an animal AND also work with them in creative ways.

you're absolutely right, and i hope you're not one of those people who don't respect the animals. that fact that you're trying is more than we've seen from other people who've had much worse situations than your own. i just wanted to come back around and say no hard feelings. lord knows i'm no perfect snake keeper...

[zina10]

Sorry, but not a fan of using snakes as any kind of "prop". Esp. a dance routine prop.

What is a water bottle going to do ? It will be either to warm (hot water) or quickly cool down to to cool. A blanket does nothing, this is a cold blooded animal. You even admit you are new to reptiles, then why would you want to do this to this animal?

No matter how you make your moves match her moving, that is still a lot of being jostled around. The snake can never ground itself, looking around and feeling anchored and safe. Plus being put in the basket, out and jostled, back in, out and jostled, good lord !!!

Performing can be stressful to any animal, but most at least understand it. Perform >> reward >> relaxation. They can comprehend that. A reptile with their little brain just knows one thing. The whole world just went all topsy turvy. The temps are all over the place.

You risk a bite during a performance, and then the hobby will take another hit with the audience coming to the conclusion what nasty animals those snakes really are..

When you handle snakes, you try to work your way up to mutual trust. That means frequent but short handling at first. Making the snake feel safe, not like its going to fall or a earthquake has just hit!!!! You put the snake back into its familiar enclosure after the short handling session.

True, I used to take some of my snakes to schools for educational purposes. But even then, they had actual TRAVEL containers in which I could control the heat (in the car through its heater/AC and at the destination through electricity) They were handled with respect and in a manner that made them feel safe. And got frequent breaks. Plus they grew up with this and were non plussed.

Find another prop to dance with. This snake may very well bite again, and next time it may hurt worse. Let her be a snake, handle her at home and with care (for her)

Well, thats my opinion.

[CALM Pythons]

Well to each their own, your not trying to argue and I understand what your saying but you aren't on the same page. Several people do all kinds of things as you mentioned other people use their snakes in a routine but that doesnt mean its right. Be prepared to get tagged because Boa's dont play around. When they dont like things they let you know they dont hide their head like a Ball Python. If you do get Bit agian I hope your anake doesnt loose teeth because that can start a whole nother problem and infection. If your the main attraction and your Belly Dancing as a Man I can tell you the last thing Im going to care about is if you have a snake or not while I'm watching you


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[Craiga 01453]

You risk a bite during a performance, and then the hobby will take another hit with the audience coming to the conclusion what nasty animals those snakes really are..

When you handle snakes, you try to work your way up to mutual trust. That means frequent but short handling at first. Making the snake feel safe, not like its going to fall or a earthquake has just hit!!!! You put the snake back into its familiar enclosure after the short handling session.

Find another prop to dance with. This snake may very well bite again, and next time it may hurt worse. Let her be a snake, handle her at home and with care (for her)

Well, thats my opinion.

Well to each their own, your not trying to argue and I understand what your saying but you aren't on the same page. Several people do all kinds of things as you mentioned other people use their snakes in a routine but that doesnt mean its right. Be prepared to get tagged because Boa's dont play around. When they dont like things they let you know they dont hide their head like a Ball Python. If you do get Bit agian I hope your anake doesnt loose teeth because that can start a whole nother problem and infection. If your the main attraction and your Belly Dancing as a Man I can tell you the last thing Im going to care about is if you have a snake or not while I'm watching you


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Like the others I quoted have said, you're putting yourself and the snake at risk, as well as potentially darkening the already black eye the snake community already has.

I'm not trying to be rude, but I am serious about drilling home a point. This is A LIVING ANIMAL, and a WILD animal. That being said, I'm not 100% opposed to snakes as "props" in entertainment. I mentioned in my first reply on this thread that I got to know a daredevil/thrill show act years ago. They had been working with those animals for YEARS, since the snakes were babies. It took YEARS of developing a mutual trust before these animals were ready. And....CALM Pythons even managed to find a video of Jill getting tagged in the face. So, accidents happen. BUT, the point I'm trying to make is this: NEITHER YOU NOR YOUR SNAKE ARE READY FOR WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.

If you're intent on making this dancing with snakes thing a reality you NEED to put it on the back burner for a few YEARS. Get yourself a juvenile snake and bond with tje animal, develop a mutual trust with the animal. Then, a few YEARS down the road revisit the situation. If you still want to do it explore your options then.

[jcorsaletti]

Thank you, and yes, she is my friend. I've been bonding with her over the last 6 months, she doesn't hate people, and has never shown any signs of aggression before this. She's not a trick and I don't think of her as a 'prop' either. I think of her as a dance partner. I never force her into movements as was shown on the youtube links someone posted. I let her use me as her tree as I dance slowly and carefully. I'm sure most people here will not understand the difference and that's ok.

handling her once a week is not bonding I'm sorry lol. I take my ball python out as much as I can, as long as she hasn't just eaten or is in shed. now it is to the point where she will wait for me to take her out, and she is 8 months old. she sleeps on my chest while I watch TV, that's a bond. I would start my acclimating your friend to a little more handling, and definitely not while she's hungry (which btw you should feed her more often unless she is refusing) you need to gain a mutual trust with her before you start taking her to strange, probably noisey, flashy places for prolonged amounts of time. your snake is no where near ready for "preforming" and if that is your intention maybe you should get a gig with an already preforming snake and treat yours as she should be treated.