Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't own any pits - yet - and 75% of the things i read about them talk about them hissing, mock striking, and rattling their tails.

Everyone says that their temperaments can "run the gamit" - and just in case i get a mean little bugger, how big do their teeth get? I dont necessarily need an exact measurement in milimeters or anything, but like, if i get tagged, will i bleed EVERY time?
Specifically, im looking at sonoran gophers, san diego gophers, or nothern pines

any input is appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Like most of the pits, they chill out around a year of age or sooner. And like you said dry strikes happen. Not often, but if they get real startled they might. I'd say you'd get 10 dry strikes to 1 live bite and out of true bites only 1/2 are even worth putting a bandaid on.

That's based off my experience. Even many wild ones are near tame and won't so much as hiss unless you chase them with a torch or something. I'm not saying a good chomping won't happen but you're more likely to get a bad bite from a python or something.

Teeth are not oversized. But its very easy to avoid getting bit. They are most defensive when on the ground, especially when about to be picked up. Once in your hands they generally won't bite unless provoked (unlike garter snakes, water snakes, racers, ect.). I've never had one just turn around and latch onto me unlike my previous garters. Usually I have to mess with their head to get bit. And I've NEVER been bit even by the meanest pit unless I was trying to get bit on purpose.

This is one reason I like pits. They let you know much in advance if they are going to bite.

The ONLY reason come on I know theres more.lol
Why would you want to get bit by one?
But yeah once in hand you should be ok. If mine ever get the least bit defensive I just hook them out of the cage then they're little stuburn kittens lol.
Nate

Its just with the young ones. And its usually to show someone that it doesn't hurt so they shouldn't be scared of biting snakes that aren't venomous.

I can see it with babies.n/p