I was going to remove Ginger from her tub in the rack so I could clean a major urate she created; I and picked her up without approaching her head; as she's in my hands for about ten seconds before the deed. Then, all of a sudden, she grabs my thumb and starts constricting it!! She was REALLY latched onto me; I didn't panic, although it was (and still is) VERY painful. Mark ran over, peeled her jaws off of me, and as he did this they were sticking into his hand; there was nothing else we could do in a pinch as my thumb was already, seriously, beginning to turn purple (I am NOT dramatizing here.) Her constricting, was making her teeth dig into me.
I am not blaming her; yet, it is hard to blame myself here. I was just holding here, and didn't see any signs of a strike or an indication that she thought I was food. She was completely out of the tub and in both of my hands; this was NO defensive strike; it was a whole-body wrap-around constriction.
If nothing else, I hope that this post makes people a little more aware of their BPs; they are definately docile and laid-back as far as snakes go, but they are still capable of inflicting pain.. they are not toys, fashion accessories, or statues.
I plan on taking precautions to help in case this ever does happen again; any advice? is it O to spray them with rubbing alcohol or something similar to make them release? I know it sucked that we had to peel her off like that, but I don't plan on losing my thumb anytime soon.
One thing for the record; this IS a painful injury. The base of my thumb is extremely sore, and I can't unscrew a soda pop bottle lid! Also, she was full-up; ate a medium rat two nights ago.