Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A lot of peple that email are terrified about gettng bit by Amazons, they're told by shops, vendors, and on the web about how large their teeth are and how much damage they do.

"Slasher" (seen in the background) was a gift to me from Henderson a while back and is one of the meanest snakes I own.

HAHAHA...is this the new fad in gifts of friendship? What will it be next, loaded mouse traps inside birthday presents for our kids HAHAHA

Seriously though, I get these taps every week, I've never had one that needed anything other than a little cold water rinseing.

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Mike Heinrich,
708-428-5616
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
http://www.amazontreeboa.org

What a friend! lol

That's not bad, looks like a bite from a small boa or a corn snake. I've only been tagged (lots!) by my youngest ATB which was no big deal. I was always a little nervous if my big ATB got me, but not so much anymore, thanks for sharing!

(this pic is when my 8' boa grabbed me, coiled and bit hard... the tongs with the rat were in the other hand but I moved this one and she grabbed the movement, classic SFE)

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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

I'm glad I hook everything!!!
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Matt Lerer
'Ghi Reptiles'
Ghi Reptiles

>>I'm glad I hook everything!!!

Haha! It's really not so bad, just bleeds a lot.
The next day, couldn't hardly tell except for some swelling and 'pin-pricks' (it's like getting punched in the hand) and it healed in about 5-7 days.

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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

LOL...but what about my hand modeling career?
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Matt Lerer
'Ghi Reptiles'
Ghi Reptiles

That's a good one...one to be proud of HAHAHA

All in a days work...
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Mike Heinrich,
708-428-5616
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
http://www.amazontreeboa.org

>>That's a good one...one to be proud of HAHAHA
>>
>>All in a days work...
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>>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>Mike Heinrich,
>>708-428-5616
>>Mike@amazontreeboa.org
>>http://www.amazontreeboa.org
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

It is the anticipation of the bite that most fear...the bite itself is quick and easy and really doesnt hurt at all..its the shock of the act that gets most people on the fear level...if you think about it a small puppy will hurt you far more in play than an ATB will in a strike....its all part of the game...I think the worst bite(pain) I have ever taken was from a wc tokay gecko..LOL

well I've been grabbed a few times and I still have yet to get over that shock. and like you said it's not the pain. I guess the only way to get past it is to get bit often lol. I'm a hook guy myself.

Wait till you join my world Brother!!
The risks: bites, claw damage, laceration, possible nerve and tendon damage and tail whips!

Took this one in the face!
OUCH!

The rewards,

Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Hey, the guy who took the photo of that hatchling must be one hell of a photographer...what da ya think ? ? ?

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Mike Heinrich,
708-428-5616
Mike@amazontreeboa.org
http://www.amazontreeboa.org

I would like to say that I'm glad this thread was started. Thanks to all for taking part. Something which I guess still worries me with ATBs is everything I've read says they like to strike at your face, which freaks me out more than a little. Since we're talking about bites maybe those of you who keep them could give some insight on if this is true or not?
Thanks again, Todd

>>Something which I guess still worries me with ATBs is everything I've read says they like to strike at your face, which freaks me out more than a little.

They strike at heat in my experience and breath can be hot which would mean they may strike at your face. I took one of mine to a local reptile society meeting and she lunged at a guy who came up when he breathed heavily on her. Luckily their strikes are usually very slow and langid and typically easy to avoid. You learn to interpret their behaviours over time and this helps avoid the strikes. I don't let mine crawl on or around my head and I avoid breathing with an open mouth on them. Actually, I do this with all of my snakes, just in case.
-April
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

Good point April, I hadn't even considered that as a factor. I used to do the same thing as you with my white-lipped python, breath gently through my nose so as not to provoke him. Here's a photo of Zoltan and I having some quality time outside.

Thanks for the input, now nothing's holding me back from getting an ATB
Hope you like the photo.
Todd

another photo for size.

>>another photo for size.
>>
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'There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."' -Rainshadow

That is a beauty of a white lip there As for you face biter worry..IME all of my ATBS are very movement oriented...so figure whatever you present them with 1st may be a target...many people have that insane habit of putting their face in first like they were bending down to talk to a baby(everyone knows the type) and I cringe anytime a certain friend comes over to visit as he is one to go head first at all the enclosures..reguardless, I believe alot of people do this that are inexperienced with tree boas or any tree snake that relies on heat and movement and gets a very nice hello to the nose or thereabouts...Personally I dont handle my atbs at all unless necc. to do so for a reason as I like to stress them as little as possible..but there underlies another factor where mine will pretty much strike at anything in the enclosures and are ultra alert even when you pass by the displays(they will be front and center in hopes for food). As stated their strikes are 90% avoidable and usually very inaccurate and clumsy...you learn the little indicators and can read them to a point where you can know when its about to come(with most that is,I have a few that just decide out of the blue to lay into me with no real intent than just to casually bite)....with all that said I must say that my ATBs are by far my favorite snakes and are IMO the best display snake out there as long as you keep hiding spots to a min. and perchings front and center. Dont believe all the hype and face biter name calling..just as you blow in a dogs face he will snap at you..so too will an atb take a bite if your dumb enough to stick it close to them....keep them away from any part of your face and you have no worries as they wont go a hunting for your face..a finger or forearm will suffice
sorry for the long windedness...go for it..you wont regret an ATB,youll regret running out of space for every new one that comes along as they are addictive snakes with more flavors for every taste.
Scott