New on here and new father to a baby BP

[LRJB]

Hello, this is my first time in this site. I adopted a baby BP this past weekend. He/she is a little over 15 inches, i think. I was informed to wait about a week to give him/her time to adjust to new home, tank and all.

The 2nd day at home, i wanted to arrange the aquium a little better to have a good warm area and a good cool area.

My BP was hissed a little and did the ( S ) shape stand to me. I knew from reading this ws simply a nervous baby. As I place the fresh water dish down, he/she dashed out and either hit it or bite it.

This is my first snake, and I will admit, I am affraid/nervous about the first bite.

Any advice or info on how this feels when it does happen ?

Do they hurt much ? Will they grab hold of you and continue to add pressure on you ?

Whats is the general experience like ?

I do hope this fear is all for nothing,.

thanks

Luc

[shelliebear]

Welcome to BP.net!
I've been tagged by my BP once, and it didn't hurt too bad. He let go right away, but some ball pythons will do what's called "latching on" and will wrap around your hand as if trying to constrict it like food, and will not let go.
If this happens, it can hurt a good bit, but nothing like a Green tree python bite(they have much larger teeth than ball pythons!). If one latches on, I've heard that sticking them under running water will get them to let go.
Hissing is normal. Some snakes are grumpy when they are in their enclosure, but once out they are fine.
Good luck!

[shelliebear]

(also, I've been bitten by a mouse and it hurt more than my Ball python.)

[Lolo76]

(also, I've been bitten by a mouse and it hurt more than my Ball python.)

Ain't that the truth! I was bitten by a rat too, and MAN that hurt.

Seriously, don't stress about the bite... and welcome to BP.net! I've been tagged by a few ball pythons & corn snakes, and none of the bites hurt more than a light pin-prick. They won't generally grab on and constrict, since BPs only strike humans in defense - so it'll be a quick "tag and retreat" action, unless maybe you haven't fed him in a few months. King snakes are a different story, though, and will occasionally try to make a meal of their handler's finger.

[Lolo76]

Here, this picture should make you feel better... I was bitten by a young BP, and the night earlier my evil cat scratched the same hand. Check out the difference between these two "wounds" - LOL.

[rabernet]

The anticipation of the bite is far worse than the bite itself (when it's a defensive bite). Defensive bites are strike and let go. Cat scratches hurt more than those bites.

Offensive bites, on the other hand (feeding mistakes), can smart, because they bite and hang on. You can avoid offensive bites by making sure to wash your hands after handling their food. Because if you smell like food, and you give off a heat signal like food - they're going to presume you're food and ask questions later!

[j_h_smith]

Hello. Glad to see you could make it. We've been expecting you for some time now.

Jim Smith

[Boanerges]

Welcome to BP.net