Bitting

[NightLad]

Thanks for the edit, JLC! I was half-way through my question when my stove alarm went off and I had to go turn down the heat on dinner, so I quickly pounded out the rest of the question and hit ‘submit’. (I forgot a crucial ‘n’ didn’t I? )

Indeed, the faNgs is what I was asking about, and thanks for the replies! It sounds like I’d still not want to get bit, but at least if it happened, knowing this will help.

I’ve heard that if they do bit, and latch, one of the ways to get them to release is to put cold water on their head – and as a last resort, some alcohol. How does that work? I mean, do you sprinkle it on them, or actually pour it over them, or what? (I’d be worried about getting something harsh like alcohol in their nose!)

[bearhart]

Gotta love a good cheese-grater slapping. That made my day!

There are some long threads on the latching issue. it seems like there isn't a 100% reliable method. From what I've read, its probably best with a BP to wait it out. The fact that you're not dealing with a possible fatality eliminates the need to try any drastic measures.

[Sunny1]

I've been bit worse by my kids. Think I'm kidding, ask any female that's nursed a baby or dealt with a teething toddler, she'll know what I mean.

OMG I definately know what you are talking about. When my kids were teething, and after they got the first 8 teeth in, both of them (at one time or another) had caught me off guard at least once and took my hand/finger and had really bit into it. Wouldn't break the skin, but GEEEEZZ..... talk about leaving a nice set of teeth marks and a nice bruise as well!!! OUCH!!! I figure if I survived that as well as all the sharp toothed puppy nips I've gotten over the years, I can take any BP bite.

[pythontricker]

hey carly its quinton. yeah it doesnt hurt at all. it only bleeds a little

[CntrlF8]

Gotta love a good cheese-grater slapping. That made my day!

There are some long threads on the latching issue. it seems like there isn't a 100% reliable method. From what I've read, its probably best with a BP to wait it out. The fact that you're not dealing with a possible fatality eliminates the need to try any drastic measures.

Believe me, you do NOT want to wait it out... If it's a feeding strike, they will continue to bite, and constrict, until they don't feel a pulse. In just the 5-7 minutes I let mine stay latched on before I started untwisting her my entire hand was cold/numb, tingly, and was tingly for several hours after.

[Lucero87]

curious...does anyone have any pics of their bites?

[bearhart]

Believe me, you do NOT want to wait it out... If it's a feeding strike, they will continue to bite, and constrict, until they don't feel a pulse. In just the 5-7 minutes I let mine stay latched on before I started untwisting her my entire hand was cold/numb, tingly, and was tingly for several hours after.

But see that's just the thing with this issue, you can never get consistent experiences. There was a thread a while back from a guy that got BOTH hands locked in together by freak accident. He was alone, water didn't work, and he didn't want to hurt his snake, so he waited. After a bit, it let go.

Also, when feeding foul, I've seen my JCP let go prematurely before. I don't know why but there was this one time the bird would pass out and, for some reason, he would release it too soon and it would wake back up on him. He had to re-constrict it three times. It was the most uncomfortable live feed ever - I just had to quit watching and check in ever so often until he got the job done.

[DaBrat]

We have had a smake for about twomonths. His last shed was at an odd time and being new we did not know he would not eat during this time. Went to purchase his rat and were advisedto give him a week after the shed to prevet trauma to the newly exposed skin. The problem is that he has gotten extremely aggressive (I think he is just hungry and striking andything that moves). We go to pick up his newest feeding tomorrow but I'm afraid the newfound aggressiveness will continue to cause problems. Once fed, on a reg basis again, do you think he will return to his normal sweet self?

[dr del]

Hi,

Some snakes will eat even while in shed so next time I would offer as normal and just make contingency plans in case he doesn't eat.

There is no real reason to avoid feeding a newly shed snake as their new skin is perfectly ok - it is mainly animals with exo-skeletons that need to wait until their new skin dries and hardens I think though I will happily be proved wrong.

I would say he might very well be hungry so I would feed him as normal and see what his temperament is like after the 48 hour after dinner no handling period.

Hope everything works out for ya.


dr del

[Ginevive]

Don't be casual about a BP's ability to bite! I got a nasty one, though I will readily admit that it was my fault. My large female was not eating the rat that I offered her, so I put my hand in th remove the rat and WHAM. She started constricting my thumb that she was biting into, and it was literally starting to go purple. Luckily my husband was around and helped peel her off.
This was fully my fault; and I learned from it and have not been bitten since. I use a trick offered from Adam Wysocki and use an empty water bottle to gently tap the snake back if she is in an S-curve, to let them know that I am not food, and it works great.
My point; while most BP bites can just be little defensive nips, this can happen. A BP deserves as much respect as any animal that can bite.. Never "aim" it at people, or be flippant about it; they can hurt!