Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright. I have been bit by the starving snake a couple of weeks ago, and now have been bit by my shedding never-bit-anyone largest female.. I was trying to move her cover box, and she tagged my finger. I wanted to help her finish her shed, DANGIT! Ungrateful punk snakes...

What must I do to prevent being bit again? I know that's kind of an open ended question, and I know that not putting my hand in the tank would be a solution, but I usually can read my snakes, and I am just getting frustrated with them. Maybe it's just me... That may be it.

Any thoughts?

Remember -

Cranky when hungry/eating
Cranky when shedding/trying to
Cranky when sleeping/peacefully hiding

So far you are 3 for 3. Hmmmmmmm
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Tosha

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7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

The first bite was from a Snake that I had gotten (Thread is still up from a couple of weeks ago) from a guy who was practically starving it. She only ate one mouse once every two weeks. She took it upon herself to try and eat my finger. THAT was not my fault...

This bite was my fault... I see the error of my ways, although am rather miffed about it. I just wanted to help and play with her. She's been shedding irregular anyway, and it's been more than a week. That's why.

Not only are they Cranky when shedding, I belive they don't see very well either.
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0.5 Normal Ball Pythons (Norma, Nova, Nala, Nimeesha, Nyoka)
1.1 Argentine B/W Tegus (Draco and Drucilla)
0.1 Columbian B/W Tegu (Diablo)
1.0 Black Throat Monitor (Razor)
1.0 Desert Tortoise (Tubbs) from Tortoise Rescue
1.0 Boxer (Shadow)
0.1 Feline (CK)
1.0 Memory of my Redtail Boa (Mo) which passed away after 28 years

Sorry - I didn't mean to put you on the defensive - bites happen - even the most docile of snakes can get pissy sometimes - my first snake was well over 20 years old the first time he bit me - I had some choice words for him when he did! I've since learned that they (like most living creatures I supposed) get cranky with age too.

Point being there are more opportune times to handle your snake - understandably you were trying to help but snakes don't have that kind of brain capacity - you were simply bothering her while she was uncomfortable and resting so she was telling you to piss off.

As for the rescue - well it's going to happen - when I take in rescues they don't even see me for severeal months except for feedings and cage changings or if they need meds. I just let them settle in, get comfortable and get into a routine once they realize that they are safe and secure and there is a meal coming soon they become puppy dogs.

Anyway hope this helps.
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Tosha

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7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

I was just saying last night as I was feeding my collection, that it had been an unusually long since i've been bit. It helps to be able to "read them" but there are always surprises. Unfortunately for me, i've saved my luck up, and next time I get bit it will be my biggest girl and she'll squeeze my arm to death or something!
best of luck, they'll settle down.

Was the hide over her when you tried to move it? Sticking your finger into the opening isn't a good ideal, she probably thought it was something small and tasty coming into her hiding place. Lifting hides is best down away from the entrance holes.

If you were handling any prey items prior to putting your hands in the cage is also another way to get bit. It is always best to wash your hands before and after handling each snake or even going near them.

Also, snakes are also more cranky when in shed, so probably would have been better to leave her alone completely. If it looks like she is having trouble shedding, misting the cage well will be a better benefit.
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PHLdyPayne

I'd be happy to have an agressive ball python, most ball pythons have the personality of a rock lol. It's not like their bite is extremely painful anyways.

You would love my male then. We have had him for a little over a year now, and no matter what we do we can not get him to stop bitting us. It is always a chalenge to handle him. And he hurts like hell when he bites, because there is such force behind his strike.

Kim
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0.1 radiated rat(100% het albino)
1.0 okeetee corn
1.2 ball python
0.1 red tail boa
0.0.1 chinese water dragon

Well, always remember that anything with a mouth can bite. I do some work with a color corn/king/rat snake breeder, and usually the only snakes that give me trouble are his adult bull and pines, and hatchlings. Well, last monday I had a cal. king swallow my thumb, and a black milk snake take a good chunk out of it. These were both snakes that had never before shown any signs of aggression. It just happens man, it's part of dealing with snakes.

Chris
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0.2.0 Grey Rats-Lauren, Avril
1.2.0 Black Rats- Robert, Cady, Kylie
1.2.0 Albino FL Kings-Nick, Jessica, Ashley
1.1.0 Crimson Corns-Kane, Ruby
0.1.0 Het-Crimson Corns-Lola
0.1.0 White-Sided/Pos Het Albino Black Rat-Lita
1.0.0 Albino White-sided Black Rat-Rey
0.1.0 Fl King-Bonnie
1.0.0 Biak GTP-Brandon
1.0.0 Flame X Blood Bearded-Ruff
1.2.0 Ball Pythons-Donnie, Gretchen, Alexis
0.1.0 Red-tail Boa-Xena
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor-Izzy

You can always try RicK Denman's tried and trusted technique when picking up Ball Pythons. Wear a pair of Welding Gloves!!LOL

you bet!
It is RicK Denmon....at least get something right! DAMN
I use garden gloves with all my babies until they settle down.
Most of my adults are fine!
Perhaps you enjoy having ball pythons draw your blood. [sick] I do not!
I do NOT want to take a chance of an animal to infect me.....perhaps you do.....lol!
I know one breeder that gets a kick when a hamster bites him and hangs on......again sick! In MHO.....
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RicK @ BbI

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