Got bit for the first time, and new pics

[freelancer]

So the little bastard finally bit me, lol. He's been the nicest snake so far so I still have no complaints, but it looks like something made him testy while I had him out tonight. Or he was hungry.

I put him on my floor lamp since I figured he'd enjoy the little bit of warmth from the spiral energy-saver bulb, while I spot-cleaned his viv and refilled his water. I kept a close eye on him but he didn't move much from this spot.



I had had him out for a few minutes already and he had settled down on me, but he did seem to like that lamp.



When I went to get him again he looked like he was periscoping, which can sometimes mean he's hungry. This time he was pretty wrapped up in it, and I startled him when I pet him (to warn him I was gonna grab him; works fine at other times). He struck at me but missed - I was too fast for him the first time. I tried again and he nipped at my finger, drawing four tiny red pinpricks. It didn't hurt at all, though I have to admit it tried my patience a bit.

No problem. I let him be for a few moments then took out the snake hook, and pet him with that. He didn't seem to mind that, so I stroked him with a finger and he was OK again, though he seemed agitated and searching again. I grabbed him and handled him a little more, gently but firmly, to see if he was going to bite me again. He never did, and I put him back in the viv.

After he was in there, he kept following my finger through the glass while tasting the air. He struck at me a couple of times when I moved my hand, smacking his nose on the glass. I wasn't trying to torment him so I walked away, and he went back to periscoping intently - a sure sign that he's wanting to ambush a fresh meal. He gave up after a while and slithered next to the water, where he's chilling now.

I guess he's a lot hungrier than I thought. I was planning on getting him a mouse tomorrow anyway. Sometimes having a ready feeder like this can have its own problems

I'm picking up a larger viv for him next week when I go to Jacksonville again, and will put in a real branch (sandblasted at work). I think he'll be happier there.

[Muze]

Lol...welcome to the club! I don't know about these guys, but in a BP that would have been a defensive strike, not a hunger strike. Sounds like he might've just been scared. Anyway, now you know what it feels like...not that bad, right?

[freelancer]

I knew it would never hurt if he bit me, hell I don't even see any marks. The bite itched for a little while after I doused it with some peroxide, but that's it.

I'm sure the first strike and the actual bite were purely defensive, but the failed attempts against the glass looked like what he does when he has a mouse in the viv: He watches for movement, follows it, tenses up, and lashes out when he's zeroed in on the prey. Poor guy hit the glass kinda hard twice, but after that he realized he wasn't getting anywhere.

Hitting up Ben Siegel's in the afternoon to get him some din-din.