Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what is the best course of action to take if a python or boa bites, begins to constrict, and wont let go. ive heard using rubbing alcohol near the head and/or unhooking the curved teeth from the bitten area. if a large snake wont let its grip go from the bite or coil, seems like it would be almost impossible to get the snake to let go. what do you all think? thank you.

try cold water.honestly i've never been bitten by a larger snake where it won't let go, but I've heard this works.

It took me 15 minutes to get this guy off my hand. Everytime I tried to pull it off, it would squeeze tighter. I just left it on my hand and eventually it went back into its cage. This is what you get for reaching into the cage at feeding time.

I had a Albino Burm that bit me and would not let go, kind of looked just like the Woma biting that members hand! lol

I got him off by running him under warm water, as soon as the warm water hit, he jumped off faster than he got hitched on.

If it was a large snakes, the spray nossle from the sink or the shower with warm/hot water is best. At least it worked with a 3 foot burm.

I was also told to keep any type of "spirit", vodka, rum, whatever! If you put some in the mouth, just a touch, they are supposed to let go. I have not tested this one!

The warm water seems to be best!

Hope this helps!

Eric

With the alcohol in the mouth method - it's best to use the "one for you, two for me" technique.

times had employees bitten by 18' plus pythons. Alcohol in the mouth worked except once. That time I used two dust pans[ one for the upper and one for the lower jaw]. This disengages the recurved teeth and prevents further biting. I will say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One employee had to have emergency micro-surgery and to this day has perminent damage...TOM CRUTCHFIELD