Got bit last night

[Mr_BoaJangles]

I learned the hard way what overconfidence gets you when handling a more aggressive snake will get ya... bit!

Last night I was handling a Emerald Green Tree Boa that I was thinking of getting for my collection. He/She was not showing a lake of comfort with me, meaning no hissing, wagging of the end of the tail or any visible sign of aggression. I had a good grip of the back of its head for safety and held the snake for a good 5-10 minutes.

I went to put it back in the cage and made the mistake to take my hand off the back of its head and BAM! Took a lot of work to get it un-clamped from my hand. Though I will agree, getting bit dosnt hurt much, more like a over blown paper cut but I did learn not to read to much into body language and treat it as if it will bite no matter what.

[Mr_BoaJangles]

Woops, this guy is a python not a Boa... wanted to correct that... lol

[Vypyrz]

I'm sure the whole time you were holding him he was thinking," Easy, you'll get your chance. Just relax, wait for it, wait for it, HIYAAAAHHHH..."

[Hulihzack]

If it isn't showing signs of agression, why make it mad by manhandling its neck? lol.

[Mr_BoaJangles]

I was told by the person in charge of the reptile section that it had been handled once earlyer in the day and was fussy... so as a precaustion I secured its head to avoid getting bit. It could have been doing that very thing that pissed it off but since I dont own that type of python I didnt want to take a chance...

[DrLew]

What? No Pic's?????

[Mr_BoaJangles]

should have taken some, had my Iphone but didnt... LOL

[BPelizabeth]

aww man no pics...geez you know the rules...lol

Wow that is a good story. I have always wanted a GTP but I have to say I am a little intimidated. Eventide has one that is like a little love bug...such a nice little guy. In fact he was at the Reptile Show I did and was fine with over 400 kids petting him. That was impressive!!

[Hypnotic Exotic]

Not sure how much worse the emerald tree boas are than the green tree pythons but had a friend get tagged by an emerald right in the rib cage. He said it hurt so bad he thought it punctured a lung!

[Mr_BoaJangles]

LOL, well they dig, the snake was grinding its jaw as if it knew it would make it hurt worse.

BPelizabeth, if you get one from a reptile show its a different story. This was at a pet store that I got bit. I held one at a RS and the thing was a doll. Almost bought it. I think buying a girl vs a boy has something to do with it too!