Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings

When a hungry columbian boa (6') bites your hand and starts to coil up, what are the best ways to free yourself? Is using alcohol advised, and if so, is it drinking or rubbing-- and what do you do with it?

I stupidly pulled my hand away and out last time (hoping I wasn't ripping too many teeth) because the coils hadn't gotten me yet, and I was not in a good leverage position if they had. I want to be more and better prepared for next time.

any help appreciated.
Antigone

I've found that if you wait long enough they most often release on their own . . .

Although on rare occasion I've been bitten and wrapped and they have no intention of letting go . . .

I put a leather glove on my free hand and you can also get a
rubber spatula and slip it under their teeth . . . . .
usually you can access their upper teeth. . . . .

I personally usually just use the leather glove . . . .I slowly work the animals teeth and jaw slowly off of my hand and / or arm.

You have to take your time and kind of ease one tooth at a time off and unhook the skin as you slowly go tooth by tooth . . . .

It can be a painful and slightly bloody ordeal at times . . .

This is why I would not always readily recommend this Hobby and
a larger Boa for the inexperienced . . .

Hope that helps !

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

I Support USark.org

By the Way I know someone ho has used Vodka effectively in this situation . . . . . .

. . . Lar M

Link Below . . . . .
Vodka does work!

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Boas By Klevitz

I Support USark.org

Thank you for this and the vodka link. What about the idea there of using a bit of vinegar, and/ or a spray bottle?
I had a ball python for years. My bf of the past 7 years has brought red-tails into our lives ( I made him get rid of the juvy Burmese after that bit me). It's true I'm not as comfortable with these bigger snakes, and this one is more flaky/ grumpy like her mom than unflappable like her dad. I apparently still have a LOT to learn about staying calm when they latch on-- the balls usually tagged and realized the mistake and backed off.
Gloves and a spatula. And a mini vodka bottle. Ok.

Antigone

If a snake grabs my hand, I usually grab him behind the head with my other hand. This reduces skin lacerations, but both hands are occupied. Hopefully there is someone around to help get the snake off.

Rubbing alcohol should not be taken internally. The cheapest rotgut, high proof booze you can find can be poured into the snake's mouth. However, the sting is likely to make him jerk away, which is bad for your skin.

Household ammonia can be put in a vial stuffed with cotton. The smell when the vial is opened is also likely to make him jerk away. This is also bad for your skin.

Instead of the rubber spatula that LarM suggests, I like an old credit card that has had the magnetic strip cut off.

Putting the snake's head under a running water faucet sometimes makes him release you. Especially if you switch back and forth between hot and cold water. That may be the best option if there is no one to help.

The point of grabbing with the other hand is just to stabilize to keep from tearing?
I didn't think of that, but I was also a bit precarious as I was reaching into a tank who's lip was basically at my armpit. She was really hungry and I was making thing worse with bad use of a snake stick. I think that I had put it aside when she came up and got me. I'll have to see if I have a card that I haven't already chopped up.
Thank you.

Antigone

Respecting the animals for what they are has avoided bites here
for nearly 18 yrs.
EVERYTHING is hooked and treated as HOT,lacking in protocols
is what get people bitten.
If your getting bitten you need protocols and a better respect for your animals.

No disrespect intended,just the facts!

C/W

It's true... Boas are not ball pythons and cannot be handled in the same casual way. I do also need a lowered set up which will be easier for me to access. Because my monkey brain has now made me more than a bit afraid of handling this snake, I'm back to 101 handling lessons only when the bf is present.
Its so aggravating. She's so very pretty, I want to be able to take her out again anytime I want. I used to be fine with her parents.

But my inxperience is exactly why I've forbidden my bf to get anything hot, even rear- fanged. I also made him get rid of a juvy Burmese after it bit me, and after I walked into its walk-in closet cage and found it eye level with me on a shelf. By then I'd seen pictures of adult Burmese and realized that we were not capable of having an adult, and should anything happen to my bf in the interim, I was NOT prepared to care for that snake by myself.

I don't know that we have formal snake handling protocols, but I am getting 101 lessons again when my bf is present.

Thank you
Antigone

The Last Poster Makes a Good Point . . . . By Protocols I'm assuming this Poster is referring to
using a Snake Hook to teach your Boa when you're entering their environment . . . . .

You tap them on the nose or on the neck with a Snake hook before you enter the enclosure.

By training the Boa when you're planning on entering it's enclosure . . . Domain the Boa does not
mistakenly become startled causing a bite out of Defensive reaction . . . .

Also if you use the hook protocol same idea you're are always notifying the Boa when you plan to enter
except when you are feeding most people Avoid any hook interaction at this time

This allows the Boa to become conditioned that no Snake means feeding time . . . .

. . . Lar M
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Boas By Klevitz

I Support USark.org

I keep a bottle of listerine, shot glass, and Q-tips in my snake room for bites when the snake won't let go.

Just pour a splash of listerine in the shot glass, dip the q-tips in it, then rub the q-tips on the gums and nostrils of the snake in question. They usually start to slowly let go for about 2-3 seconds, then when it hits them they are off in a flash.

I've used this for kings, milks, corns, balls, and carpets. I've never had a boa actually hang on though so I can't say for certain that it works for boas, but since it works for everything else, i assume it will.

Go to the nearest sink or bath tub and run it hard using hot water, that should work.
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Richard Ceniceros