Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry, not really boa related but just thought I'd share.

This little guy is very hungry. I may have to offer him a bit smaller prey item later today though. Man these little guys can pack a good bite. After about 10 minutes of being patient, I just couldn't take it any longer. I started experimenting with ways to get him of me (fingers were getting a bit purple). After trying several things, I finally hit him with a vinager/water solution. Wow, that got him. He released instantly & crawled away with a bad taste in his mouth.

Hi Lee,
We have some Ring Pythons, straight from hell. We have learned to stand by with hot water they sure let go and move in a hurry from the heat.
I hope this will help, sure saved some blood around here.
Chuck CFRB

It wasn't super hot but definately quite warm. Womas are nothing if not persistant.

Next I think I'll try some of the vinager water on the Gilas. It will be interesting to see if they'll let go so quickly. Better get my trusty gloves though.

Nice woma, you were kidding about the gilas. Right?

They bite your gloved hand?

I love gilas, maybe some day...

Thanks,
tc

I've been bitten by yearlings 4 times with the gloves on. They've never penetrated the gloves but I'm sure one of my adults could. Anymore I don't use the gloves except when handling one of the babies. They're just much more nippy.

You really should try some someday. They're kinda pricey, but well worth the money. The ultimate herp in my book.

That's my 'fantasy pet'. Someday, after I move in a year or two.

Thanks,
tc

"NOT BEING BITTEN IN OVER TEN YEARS OR SO."

Now that I think back it's been over 20 years since I was bitten by a large boa. I was nailed by one of my 5' Diamonds a couple months ago. What a bleeder that was.

Take care & I'll try to call you tomorrow.

and I'm speaking from recent experience. Rubbing alcohol poured around their mouth will make them let go. I understand hard liquor will do the same. In February I got two good bites, both within a week of each other and both having to result in the use of rubbing alcohol to make the snakes release. The first was my 7' male Bci (totally my fault) who bit my hand and wrapped my arm in a feeding response. I'd put him in a clean feeding tub instead of the usual pillowcase while cleaning his cage and when I reached in to take him out, he nailed me...expecting food just like he should have in that tub (taught me to stick to protocol with the pillowcase). My other half poured rubbing alcohol over my hand and in his mouth and he released my hand and uncoiled from my arm. The second bite was a bit more serious than the first, no stitches or anything though - it was the same hand in basically the same place (pretty much healed by then) by my 13' female burmese python. She bit my hand and just held it in her mouth, had to have my mom pour alcohol around her mouth to get her to let go (her cage is at my mom's because I don't have room for her at home). It was a few weeks before I figured out what went wrong with her as it was TOTALLY out of character for her to bite (I've had her since November but have helped her previous owner care for her for two years or more). It turned out she was just going into shed but didn't look like she was in blue at the time. Basically she just wanted to be left alone and didn't care if I wanted to clean the cage or not. So anyway, the alcohol works and I confirmed with my vet after the first bite that it is not harmful to the snake...it's not pleasant hence them letting go, but no harmful side effects.

Raven