First time BP owner question

[megabrain]

Hi! My boyfriend and I just got our first ball python. He is just a baby, about 4-5 weeks old.

My question is: if he should bite one of us, what do we do so we don't hurt him? Will he immediately removed his teeth after striking? If he doesn't, what should we do to get him to let go?

He hasn't shown any indication that he will bite or strike at us, but if he does in the future for some reason, I want to know what to do properly so we don't hurt him. I'm more worried about his well-being than us getting a couple of puncture wounds (I mean, I'd probably cry cuz I'm a huge pain wienie, but I'd live).

Thanks for any advice you have!

[spix14]

Most of the time they will just strike and let go right away. All you have to do is try your best not to jerk back as you could end up injuring his mouth or breaking his teeth. In the extremely unlikely case that he bites and holds on or wraps you, best thing to do is run a bit of cold water onto his head. He should let right go.

[Thor26]

bp's almost never bite though

[ChicaPiton519]

yeah, your best bet is cold water =]
and not to jerk your hand or whatever when he does, if you think he is going to, move your hand back as SLOWLY as possible, so if he does, you arnt yanking back already =]

but a bitty thing like that shouldnt do much to yah =]

[megabrain]

Thanks everyone! I don't really expect him to bite us, unless we starve him, rub our hands all over a mouse then wiggle our fingers in his face (which is all pretty easy to avoid doing ).

I more just wanted to know what to do *just in case* the situation ever came up.

Thanks for the responses!

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

if the cold water method doesnt work... as i didnt for a sanke of mine, if you have alcohol, u can use a drop...

like vodka, or somthing like that, and they will let go....

[python.princess]

if the cold water method doesnt work... as i didnt for a sanke of mine, if you have alcohol, u can use a drop...

like vodka, or somthing like that, and they will let go....

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I'd heard that this isn't very good for the snake?

[tideguyinva]

ive heard mostly the water spritzing thing but i have heard the alcohol one too.

[juddb]

Most of the time they will just strike and let go right away. All you have to do is try your best not to jerk back as you could end up injuring his mouth or breaking his teeth. In the extremely unlikely case that he bites and holds on or wraps you, best thing to do is run a bit of cold water onto his head. He should let right go.

Keep in mind though with this method the snake may not let go for a solid ten minutes.... Personal experience your hand will be purple and bloody but they will be safe in thier tub with all thier teeth giving you the whats the problem look!!!

[Sonya610]

Keep in mind though with this method the snake may not let go for a solid ten minutes.... Personal experience your hand will be purple and bloody but they will be safe in thier tub with all thier teeth giving you the whats the problem look!!!

I have heard a drop of alcohol (in their mouth, obviously not on their head/eyes) in the case of really large snakes that refuse to let go.

Has anyone here ever actually had BP latch on and refuse to let go?