Problem

[TexanLady]

Ok, so my sister and her kids stayed with me this last week. I told her not to take any of the reptiles out without me there. Of course she didn't listen. Anyway, so today she let one of her kids hold my black king snake. Apparently my snake bit him. Though I've had this snake for 2 years and he's never bitten before. Moving on, I had told her before that there was a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide under the kitchen sink and to just spray that on the snake if she's ever holding one and it bites. She's stayed over at my house plenty of times before, held a lot of my reptiles, so she knows the drill. Today, however, for some reason when my king snake bit her kid she grabbed the bottle of white vinegar from under the sink and poured it over the snake's head. She said he let go right away and she put him back in the cage. I'm just finding out about this now. My snake is acting normally, and I don't see anything wrong. I just took him out and handled him and he seems perfectly fine, but I've never heard of anyone using white vinegar on a snake like this. I can't imagine it would be good for him. Has anyone ever heard of something like this? Should I take him to the vet? I really don't want to spend money to take him to the vet and get there and be told he's fine.

[seang89]

Some keepers recommend vinegar for snakes that bite and won't let go. I've used it myself, except not pouring it over the animals head... I doubt your snake is harmed in any way really. Just probably uncomfortable. Keep a close eye on him, or even give him a bath to wash any vinegar residue/smells off him.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Sounds like you first need to keep her and the kid out of the reptile room if she cant respect your wishes.
I don't think the vinegar will hurt your king but I would probably give him a quick swim just to be safe.
Plain water in a spray bottle works too and then there is no worry.

[bcr229]

White vinegar does work and I've used it, but not by pouring it on the snake's head! Just apply some to a cotton ball and put it in front of the snake's nose to get them to turn you loose.

I'm betting that if your king grabbed and held that the kid's hands smelled like food. It doesn't have to be rat or mouse smell, my Cali King went for me after I'd picked steamed crabs.

Also agree you need a lock on the herp room door, or on the enclosure door if it's in a public area.

If you can still smell the vinegar on the snake I'd give him a quick bath and keep an eye on him for a few days.