Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Getting tagged is always interesting. I actually thought I had prepared for this one, but it happened anyway!

I have a pair of Suri females on breeding loan that a friend of mine got in trade. I wasn't interested in buying them because they are so damaged (he said he'd bet money they were imports), but accepted the loan regardless. Have been working on getting them back up to weight and into healthy shape. Both are over 7 feet, I don't know exact measurements. One has a 'bad attitude,' especially after feeding. So I waited a couple days after a meal and was giving her a soak before transfering her from the holding rack back into the enclosure.

I knew she'd be pissed off and attempt to nail me, so I had her behind the head while my fiance was cleaning her up. He was doing fairly well, but that big of angry snake sometimes requires more than two hands. I reach out with my free hand to assist and, low and behold... despite my 'firm' grip, she had wrangled just enough neck out to chomp down on my other arm! I kind of watch in awe and shock, hear the teeth sliding out and catching on my skin, and get back to work. What else can you do?

Later my Mother, wanting to visit with us, walks in while I'm finishing up and asks why there is blood all over the floor. I thought it was funny how my fiance said so matter of factly that it was mine. Jerk! I guess when you are involved with things most gals consider less than feminine, you don't get as much pity! Probably doesn't help when you are demanding photos be taken for story purposes I suppose...

Luckily, not ripping my arm out of her mouth must have saved me picking out some teeth. While this is not my worst bite ever (that honor goes to an emerald tree boa), it was my first one from a larger constrictor. Thought I'd offer my moment of idiocy up for ridicule! Doesn't look all that bad, but sure bled a heck of a lot!




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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
0.1 Sunglow 25% Suriname (Temperance)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
2.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle, Dumah, and Bonnie)
1.0 Hypo het anery (Don Juan)
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.1 2007 Mostly striped boa (Andromeda)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons (Spot, Freckle and Speckle)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

No offense but its post like these that gives people who want to take our pets away amunition against us. I can't make you remove it but I think it would be a good idea to.
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www.jpcboas.com

While I agree with your point of less reptile-educated folks getting the wrong impression from such a post, I do know that I am not the only one to make such posts here and also know that I am not posting among ignorant people, but informed folks.

Working in the hobby, this does happen (when working with ANY animal) and I suppose the point should be pounded into the ground that when working with a living animal caution should be exercised. In fact, I rarely am bitten and considering the quantity of animals I own and the 6 years I've worked with them, that is pretty good and speaks well for the type of animals I work with. Folks are likely bitten by cats more often and it HURTS MORE than this did.... I speak from experience on that!

I don't like to advertise the negative, but I don't think folks should be sheilded from the fact that they are working with living creatures that can hurt you. Approaching it from a positive aspect and showing that it was the handler at fault was the aspect I was working toward.

I am sorry if I have offended you and if a few more folks chime in with a similar viewpoint, I will take your suggestion a step further and request that this post be removed if necessary.

Thanks for your input!

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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
0.1 Sunglow 25% Suriname (Temperance)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
2.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle, Dumah, and Bonnie)
1.0 Hypo het anery (Don Juan)
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.1 2007 Mostly striped boa (Andromeda)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons (Spot, Freckle and Speckle)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

I'd take a bite from an 8 foot boa ANYDAY over a bite from one of those vicious little hamsters that all the kids have. Those suckers HURT =P
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Alone, alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide, wide sea.
-Rime of the ancient Mariner

lol, I have yet to get tagged by one of my big ones. knock on wood. Funny, the smaller ones I'm less concerned with the severity and therefore get tagged more often all the way down to babies that I just laugh at. Looks like chomp, scrape chomp!!

I have had a couple of pissed off big ones striking at me and that was scary. I have a plexi shield on a broomstick for fending them off during spot cleanings. Rarely use it, only once or twice. Breeding triggered one female into aggression and another gets food aggressive sometimes.

And yeah, no sympathy here.....even less with you wanting to get your picture taken!!!

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

n/p

You posting that picture before... is that the little guy that tried to swallow your hand! ROFL! I love that picture!

Yeah, out of all my snakes I only have two that are so mean I dread handling them, but they are small to mid-size. This gal I can remove from her enclosure, but being handled to go back in (and after she is in) she will angrily fend me off. I don't have a sheild yet, LOL, but I suppose that may be a necessity as I have bigger momma's with babies in the future! As of now, all I usually have to do is let them know it is NOT feeding time and all is well.

Thanks for chiming in Dave, I really enjoy your posts!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
0.1 Sunglow 25% Suriname (Temperance)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
2.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle, Dumah, and Bonnie)
1.0 Hypo het anery (Don Juan)
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.1 2007 Mostly striped boa (Andromeda)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons (Spot, Freckle and Speckle)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

Yeah Steph, you can see him constricting. It was all I could do to stop laughing long enough to take the pics.

And I wholeheartedly agree with your point in another reply, these are wild animals. They can and do bite. ANY animal with a mouth can and does bite!! Including homo sapiens!!! Some individual animals are less likely to bite and some are more easily broken of the biting habits.

People are significantly more likely to be bitten by a dog and that bite is way more likely to cause damage to the point of requiring medical care. For example, our pet dog Liz, is a sweet midsized middle aged mutt. Loves our family but is not so sure about anyone else. While spastic with others we would hwve never thought her capabale of biting. Had her Kenneled over vacation, to be groomed on the day we picked her up. Not sure exactly what happened (lol, wasn't there) and the kennel and groomer both say it was NOT the dogs fault. When the groomer picked her up she did something, moved to fast pinched something, whatever. Liz turned and bit her on the hand. Several stitches required. Since then, she's been back to the same kennel and been groomed there as well. Just one of those $#!& happens things.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

You can see the marks from the double row of teeth really well.

getting tagged is just never a good time. ive had some big snakes go after me an its an adventure to say the least. i currently have a 12 ft burm that is well..... very protective of his enclosure.

You got tagged by a large constrictor and ended up with some deep scratches...that's all. Think if this had been any kind of a dog? Even a Chihuahua would have done more damage.
I think this is a good post to set peoples' minds at ease about just how "dangerous" Boas are.......

Have a good one-
Jim Lineberger

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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." (quote from Jim Elliott, "Shadow of the Almighty"

I definitely agree. I'd rather be bitten by a small to mid-size snake than a rat. Also would rather be bitten by ANY non-venemous snake than a large bird, cat, or dog; and find that the resulting small scratches and punctures heal better than most others that are animal inflicted. I do bruise easily though!
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
0.1 Sunglow 25% Suriname (Temperance)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
2.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle, Dumah, and Bonnie)
1.0 Hypo het anery (Don Juan)
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.1 2007 Mostly striped boa (Andromeda)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons (Spot, Freckle and Speckle)
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

That is gorgeous...can you tell us more about that animal?

Good point as well, this type of post is not what drives the opponents, they already have their agenda.

Joel
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Don't tread on me!

A male Surinam...one of the most distinctive I've ever owned. Several years ago I purchased a bunch of frozen mice from a lab that had used them for some form of research. Live and learn....three of my snakes totally wigged-out after a couple of feedings, and this one died. The other two receovered completely.
Have a good one-
Jim
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"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose." (quote from Jim Elliott, "Shadow of the Almighty"

You did well leaving your arm in there instead of jerking...would have been much worse for both of you.

Glad you are okay but I would still love to see pic's of the snake Ha!!

Joel
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Don't tread on me!

as someone that works both with snakes in my personal time and dogs, cats, ferrets and other small animals in my professional time. both cases are well presented. i also would much rather take a hit from my snakes (which this past sunday i got nailed by my 10 albino tiger retic during feeding. he clamped on my hand and coiled. i just waited until he released, as he is a breeder and didnt want to pour anything on him and risk upper respiratory infection, nor did i want to stab him), than pretty much any dog. and working in an emergency hospital i have been badly bit on several occasions. however, i think another poster on here made a good point about giving the "anti reptile people" ammunition in banning our great hobby. the difference is that dogs, cats, and all the other fur-bearing small animals are not in a position of being targeted of being banned. reptiles (specifically large boid species) are. so, to a certain extent, i do agree, any amount (though as small as it may be) of ammunition we can give these politicians, peta people, hsus people, etc., does not bode well in our great and close harboring community. just my 2 cents and way i view things. just some things to think about
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retic is king of kings

1.0 Tiger Retic
1.0 Albino Tiger Retic
0.1 Striped Tiger Retic (het albino)
0.1 Salmon Boa
1.0 Albino Boa
0.1 False Water Cobra