Getting bit by our beloved snakes....

[EyeLashViper]

Hey everybody !!!
I was musing on the topic of getting bit by our snakes yesterday - it is kind of funny but I have been nailed so often by snakes over the years that I don't even pay attention to it anymore - I mean don't get me wrong, I would not want to be bit by a large retic or an Emerald Tree Boa ( have you ever seen the choppers on one of these critters ??!! ) but as far as being chomped by a Ball Python or a Corn snake or my own Bull snake ( which I am finding out has quite a temper... ) I don't really trip too much on it.

My Bull snake hissed like a locomotive at me last nite and backed it up with a good bite and I did not even flinch - I just let him chew on me a bit and then picked him up and cuddled him until he realized that I am not a predator intent on eating him. Ha ha ha

I have learned a lot in the past thru my own collection of Stupid Feeding Experiences ( SFE's ) I basically learned one good idea on feeding day is to try to minimize the smell of rodent on your hands - my old Ball Pythons used to go absolutely bananas when they caught a whiff of mouse in the air...and if had it on my hands....oh sheesh....they would go after ME.....hahahaha

Well, that is about all from me for right now...I would like to hear some you guys and gals bite stories....I am sure that there are some good ones out there to be told....

The EyeLashViper

[Emilio]

Never seen a hint of aggression from my three,2 Bp's and a dumeral boa.

[Shelby]

I too don't really care when they bite me anymore. Luckily my instinct is to sit still and let them 'chew' until they're done instead of pulling back and triggering a predator response.. plus ripping my hand and the snake's teeth.

My biggest bite was from an 8' burmese python. Classic SFE.. I didn't wash my hands after touching a rat, and used hand sanitizer instead. This happened when I was working at a reptile zoo and I'd hold the snake sometimes and let people pet him and I'd tell them about the snakes and whatnot. Well, the snake bit my hand and held on (in front of a group of brownies nonetheless) So I went back to the manager on duty with the snake stuck on my hand and asked him how I should get it off. He poured a bunch of water on the snake's face, but he just clamped down harder. So, next I went in back to where the owner was and he tried to pry him off with his hands, but THAT didn't work. Finally he had to spray windex in the snake's mouth (unfortunately) and he let go right away. I had 40 tooth marks and a purple lump on my hands for awhile.

I've been bitten a bunch of times by my colubrids.. my 21lb dumerils boa got me once.. my anaconda female got her tooth stuck in my hand once too..

[tcarter]

Snakes are bad enough to be bitten by, my worst bite though came from a Nile Monitor. I had to get 22 stitches in my hand and endure a buffet of shots. Niles are not to be trusted, at all, and I made the mistake of getting too complacent. That Nile taught me a valuable lesson...always respect these animals.

[Shelby]

Yes I would think a monitor bite would be wicked. Serious jaw strength there.

[jotay]

Ahhh such brave souls.
At the vet a couple of weeks ago I got to really see up close those rows of teeth my bp has and that is enough for me to try and be really careful!

[alexrls]

i almost got bitten by an alligator turtle... man those things are scary!!!

it was like 3 feet long and i didnt realize how far they can stretch thier necks im telling u it missed me by an inch!!! i wuz in camp and they were having this reptile show ( in the pool area) and they guy asked if anyone had an reptile handling experience so i raised my hand and gave him the whole "i own a BP" shtick and i figured id be helping with the little baby crocs and the snakes but then he pulls out this huge turtle and is like all jokingly "its safe just dont put ur hand in his mouth"
so i get into the pool and im helping him hold up one side of the turtle and we're showing it to the crowd and a little kids hat fell into the pool so reach for it to give it back and "WHAP!" the thing like launches its head at my fingers i totally freaked out and droppped the turtle into the pool and fluondered/drowned/splashed my way outa the pool and basicly ran back to the safety of my bunk.


Unfortunatly i totally missed the best part of the show. the dude had an 11 foot anaconda which "was completely tame" and it chewed on his arm infront of half the camp.

lifes funny that way aint it

[oxsherxo88]

There was one thing that was holding me back from getting a snake and that was the fear of getting bit. But I figured that I would have to get over it because I wanted a ball so bad. So I got my little bugger and of course the pet store owner is all "Oh you dont have to worry balls NEVER bite". He was very sweet for the first month or so but then BAM he started striking, and when I mean biteing I mean he broke skin. He got super aggresive. If I walked near his cage he would attempt to strike the glass. Little sucker got me alot but I kept at handling him and thank goodness he is back to his sweet self. Teenagers pssh

[frankykeno]

The funniest incident we've had around here was a bite that never happened.


Rauri, the BCI we are fostering was in blue. We don't normally bother 6 feet of snake when he's like this but he'd done a huge poop and I had Mike haul him out and hold him while I did the pooper scooper duty. Mike was sort of behind me with Rauri in his arms and when I whipped around to dispose of the bag o boa poop I guess my ponytail sort of smacked/brushed Rauri in the face.

All I heard was SNAP! and Mike hollered "RAURI!!!". I just froze and peeked over my shoulder to find Mike backing up fast with Rauri LOL. I guess the poor blue eyed boa felt a heat source fly by and a ponytail might resemble a prey item...who knows? Anyway Rauri took at swing at the swinging ponytail and thank goodness he missed! LOL

Rauri has never seriously attempted to bite, heck we've only ever heard one hiss out of him and that was during a quick mouth check so who can blame the snake. He's very nice tempered but I surely wouldn't want to find out what it feels like to have those jaws really connect!


~~Jo~~

[JLC]

...

All I heard was SNAP! and Mike hollered "RAURI!!!". I just froze and peeked over my shoulder to find Mike backing up fast with Rauri LOL. I guess the poor blue eyed boa felt a heat source fly by and a ponytail might resemble a prey item...who knows? Anyway Rauri took at swing at the swinging ponytail and thank goodness he missed! LOL

...

~~Jo~~

LOL! Woulda been a fun story, though...to tell of a six foot boa hanging from your pony tail!