Cage Maintenance w/Snakes and how to Avoid Bites

[dakski]

I will start by saying, I should practice what I preach. I almost got a good one from Yafe (Carpet Python) today. I always say, "know your snake, but when in doubt, remove the snake when doing cage maintenance."

I am not sure if Yafe was hungry, startled, or just tense because of the storm we are getting now, but he struck at the water bowl as I put it in his enclosure earlier today. He didn't make too much of an effort, but he struck a good 1ft or so. He didn't hit the water bowl or me, but at 6FT+ now, I shouldn't be taking chances, for either of our sakes.

Anyway, this brings me to my point. When in doubt, remove your snake when doing cage maintenance. Yafe has never struck at me before, and right after, I tapped him with the hook and scooped him up and he was fine. He is hook trained so he knows that means no food and to expect to be picked up. Held him for a few and he was his normal outgoing, but calm self.

I usually don't remove my corn snakes when doing basic cage maintenance like water bowls, but they usually stay hidden, cannot do much damage, and have yet to attempt to bite during a cage cleaning. However, I plan to change that. Considering I also have a BP, CP, and 3 boas, probably not a bad practice to get into. Here are my thoughts.

People are often bitten in situations that can be avoided. One of these is during cage maintenance. I use paper substrate so everyone comes out when I clean tanks, but for water bowls mostly, and an occasional redecorating, I tend to "judge" the snake.

Why is this potentially a bad idea? See above and Yafe striking at the bowl. Would a bite from Yafe kill me or even be terrible? Probably not. However, at his size and with his teeth, doesn't sound fun, and I am also putting him at risk. When I snake bites a human, which is often our own faults, the snake can be injured, especially if we pull away or try to rip the snake off. Even if it's a quick bite and release, which is mostly what I have experienced in my years of keeping, the snake can still be injured and is in most cases scared.

Most of us do not want to be bitten, but as the snakes get bigger, the risks do too. Additionally, since it's mostly our faults for not understanding or recognizing what we are doing to add risk to a situation, and the snake gets the blame often (anthropomorphizing), it gives snakes a bad representation too.

The simplest way to avoid a bite in tank is to remove the snake.

Snakes bite for two reasons essentially.

1. Hunger/Food Response
2. Defensive strike - SCARED

People forget, or don't realize, snakes do not think like we do. They do not have a frontal lobe of their brain, and only have what humans call a "reptilian brain." They have instincts and some basic learning mechanisms but are far from complex creatures. Humans are complex creatures and can learn and adapt more easily.

Also remember, a snakes enclosure is their home and territory. By removing them you are avoiding them feeling invaded and scared.


Bottom Line:

1. If possible, remove your snake before doing cage maintenance to avoid most in cage bites.

a. This will also give you some extra time to bond with and enjoy your snake(s). That's how I usually use the time. I look forward to water day and when I have to clean a cage because it forces me to take time out bond.

2. If not, do your best to read your snake and be careful. However, remember, it's probably your fault if you get bit (especially these situations) and it's not good for you or the snake.

b. Also - the bigger the snake, the bigger the risk.