View Full Version : Does it hurt to get bitten by a californian kings snake
Hi my name is mike i am 16 years old and just got my first pet snake. its a cali kingsnake female adult about 1.50 meters long. i really love snakes. there is only one prob i am very scared to get bitten by my snake. so how does it feel?
does it hurt? is it worth being scared about it?:eek: my pain threshold a little low under average i think. thanks already
dannybgoode
07-19-17, 02:25 PM
Have you ever been bitten by a kitten or a puppy. Less than that.
trailblazer295
07-19-17, 02:27 PM
First time is the worst because of the unknown. In reality it's like a bunch of pin pricks. Isn't bad with small snakes. Cali kings aren't known to be that bitey.
Minkness
07-19-17, 02:29 PM
Hello and Welcome!
I get the fear part. I am also a wuss when it comes to pain lol. Getting bitten by a snake is way scarier than it is painful though. Their teeth are pretty small in comparison to many other animals. I like to think of the pain as more of a papercut than anything. (This is in relation to your snake. Carpet pythons and larger snakes are different).
Scubadiver59
07-19-17, 03:10 PM
I got bit by my 6ft Boa the other day, a defensive strike, but it didn't hurt at all as far as I was concerned--it was so fast, there was no pressure, just a sudden pricking (19 total on two fingers) that was accompanied by some light bleeding. All I did was wash it with anti-bacterial soap throughout the day, and the following days, and I can hardly tell I got tagged.
Just keep your fingers away from the opening of the hides (don't do what I did) and let the snake come all the way out before you attempt to grab it, gently, from below or from the side. And feed your snake with tongs or the large "tweezers" like ZooMed offers.
Hi my name is mike i am 16 years old and just got my first pet snake. its a cali kingsnake female adult about 1.50 meters long. i really love snakes. there is only one prob i am very scared to get bitten by my snake. so how does it feel?
does it hurt? is it worth being scared about it?:eek: my pain threshold a little low under average i think. thanks already
jjhill001
07-19-17, 05:39 PM
Yeah, but not bad. Depends on circumstances.
It's not too bad, cali kings are usually not at all bitey though as already said. They are pretty easy going and very curious.. just don't feed a 1.5 meter one with your bare hands :)
First bite, if ever, will be more shock than pain. But yes they do have teeth, small, but sharp. Their bite is nowhere near what a normal house cat or small dog can do if that gives you any point of reference.
Magdalen
07-19-17, 08:48 PM
I've yet to be bitten by my snake (the gecko yes) but I'm sure it'll happen eventually. So I couldn't answer your question but I understand your nervousness/fear. I used to feel the same. A few things helped me. One being bit by the gecko (didn't hurt) and oddly enough working with horses and getting over my fear/nervousness around them. I figure it I survived getting bit, stepped on, smashed by 1000lb animals I'll be ok if my tiny 20gram snake bites me. Horse bites hurt haha
I'm also 16 and I own 3 cali kings, it really depends on what your pain tolerance is haha Like most people have already said, as a snake owner you should always be ready to take a bite, although cali kings are probably one of the sweetest snakes out there. Their teeth will definitely draw some blood but just make sure you disinfect ur wounds. The strike is often so fast that you wouldn't even feel it until like a second later. The only time I have been bitten was a few years back when I got my first cali king, and it was due to the smell of rodents on my finger that triggered her food response. ALWAYS wash your hands before handing your snake and try not to touch the head before it's used to handling. Good luck pal
Jim Smith
07-19-17, 09:36 PM
Typically it's like being attacked by angry Velcro. At worst, it's like being pricked by tiny pricker bushes. Just wash the bite site and keep an eye on it. You can disinfect with alcohol and put a dab of Neosporin on it if you're concerned about inflammation.
jjhill001
07-19-17, 10:15 PM
It's not too bad, cali kings are usually not at all bitey though as already said. They are pretty easy going and very curious.. just don't feed a 1.5 meter one with your bare hands :)
First bite, if ever, will be more shock than pain. But yes they do have teeth, small, but sharp. Their bite is nowhere near what a normal house cat or small dog can do if that gives you any point of reference.
If I had to pick I'd let a kingsnake bite me 1000 times over being bitten by a cat or dog once.
dannybgoode
07-19-17, 10:20 PM
Whatever you slam your hand into when you reflex jerk it away usually hurts far more than if you took the bite.
As Mink says with very large snakes it's an entirely different proposition...
Thanks to you all. this info did help being less scared
If I had to pick I'd let a kingsnake bite me 1000 times over being bitten by a cat or dog once.
I agree with this!
I've also noticed the complete opposite that TRD has. Most of the Lampropeltis getula animals I have had have a very strong feeding response and will bite/chew due to that...california and florida kingsnakes especially. Every snake is an individual, though. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new snake!
BillyCostume
07-20-17, 09:01 AM
The fear of being bit is much worse than the actual bite. Most of my bites have come from smaller snakes, the worst bite I got was from a jungle carpet python when I was a teen. It bled quite a bit but wasn't really painful in all honesty. The bite I took from a chow chow 2 years ago was much worse lol. I wish I could lose my flinching reflex when it comes to bites, all in due time I suppose
I've only had 1 adult snake get me, and it was an 8 foot carpet python that I had tap trained with a hook. I forgot to tap it and went in to change the water bowl. It ended up biting me on the wrist, immediately recognized that I wasn't food and tried to let go, but it's teeth got snagged in there so it took a few seconds to get it off. It was painful and it bled a LOT and bruised up substantially, but this was only because it was a large snake with decently sized teeth that got me in a very sensitive and vascular area. I did not pull away or flinch and if I did there may have been slightly more damage done, but still pretty negligible. Didn't require any treatment other than a good rinse off and a wipe with rubbing alcohol. Bites from even an adult california kingsnake are really not a big deal.
I'm also 16 and I own 3 cali kings, it really depends on what your pain tolerance is haha Like most people have already said, as a snake owner you should always be ready to take a bite, although cali kings are probably one of the sweetest snakes out there. Their teeth will definitely draw some blood but just make sure you disinfect ur wounds. The strike is often so fast that you wouldn't even feel it until like a second later. The only time I have been bitten was a few years back when I got my first cali king, and it was due to the smell of rodents on my finger that triggered her food response. ALWAYS wash your hands before handing your snake and try not to touch the head before it's used to handling. Good luck palg
can you give me a pain comparison 1 to 10?
and what can you compared with?
I agree with this!
I've also noticed the complete opposite that TRD has. Most of the Lampropeltis getula animals I have had have a very strong feeding response and will bite/chew due to that...california and florida kingsnakes especially. Every snake is an individual, though. I'm sure you'll enjoy your new snake!
Feeding response yes... They'll go for anything that is in front of them. One of mines even started to eat a leaf from one of the succulents thinking it's the mouse and fiercely defending it (slapping my hand with his tail) while I try to pry the leaf out of his mouth.
Hence, never feed with bare hands, one day you're going to find yourself prying a snake off your finger because if they bite and hold you, you won't be able to pull your hand out without doing damage to your animal...
So OP, if you get bitten and the snake holds his jaws shut, don't freak out and pull your arm back. Just let it bite. It's not venomous, you're not going to die or lose a limp.
Feeding response yes... They'll go for anything that is in front of them. One of mines even started to eat a leaf from one of the succulents thinking it's the mouse and fiercely defending it (slapping my hand with his tail) while I try to pry the leaf out of his mouth.
Hence, never feed with bare hands, one day you're going to find yourself prying a snake off your finger because if they bite and hold you, you won't be able to pull your hand out without doing damage to your animal...
So OP, if you get bitten and the snake holds his jaws shut, don't freak out and pull your arm back. Just let it bite. It's not venomous, you're not going to die or lose a limp.
These bites that I speak of were without food anywhere in the equation and would sometimes occur sporadically in the middle of an otherwise peaceful handling session, when removing or replacing them from/back into their enclosure, but I do agree. :)
SSSSnakes
07-20-17, 07:57 PM
If it is a defensive bite, it's quick, with little pain. If it is a feeding bite, they hold on and chew up on you.
g
can you give me a pain comparison 1 to 10?
and what can you compared with?
Comparing an adult sized carpet python to an adult king I would give the carpet python a 6 and the king a 2. Like others have said just beware of their strong feeding response and you'll be gucci my friend
Doug 351
07-21-17, 06:43 PM
If it is a defensive bite, it's quick, with little pain. If it is a feeding bite, they hold on and chew up on you.
I'll have to agree with this, but....either way, if you have to complain about it....ummmmm....
Don't have snakes!!!!
trailblazer295
07-21-17, 08:11 PM
Everyone gets bitten eventually, a cali king won't hurt that bad. Small heads and teeth. I was tagged by my 2yr old boa. After the intial what the H just happened I laughed and kept repeating "little uh word I can't type....rd" It was my mistake, I was tap training but got lazy because he is small and was always so easy to handle. Well he was buried and I touched him and probably scared him and BAM. Lesson learned, poke with the hook before doing anything.
Doug 351
07-21-17, 09:51 PM
I play around with wild snakes...soooo...I get bit a little. It's really nothing, you'll bleed, but barely feel it.
But first: will it even happen? Probably not. I have a snake that never bit anyone for 15 years (and was handled A LOT!)
But...in a case of mistaken identity, she got my hand, and I had to pry her off... ( feeding mishap)....
She was 5' long, and tore me up pretty good.. but like mentioned above, I'd take 100 of those over one dog or cat bite.....
Heck, my darn cat hurts me a lot worse just playing around!!!!
I play around with wild snakes...soooo...I get bit a little. It's really nothing, you'll bleed, but barely feel it.
But first: will it even happen? Probably not. I have a snake that never bit anyone for 15 years (and was handled A LOT!)
But...in a case of mistaken identity, she got my hand, and I had to pry her off... ( feeding mishap)....
She was 5' long, and tore me up pretty good.. but like mentioned above, I'd take 100 of those over one dog or cat bite.....
Heck, my darn cat hurts me a lot worse just playing around!!!!
does it hurt more then a kitten digging her claws in your leg have experienced that but never been bitten by a cat:Wow:
dannybgoode
07-22-17, 06:15 AM
A kitten is far more painful to own than a king!
Other snakes may vary :)
A kitten is far more painful to own than a king!
Other snakes may vary :)
wow that a snake bite is basicaly nothing thanks everyone :crazy2:
dannybgoode
07-22-17, 07:09 AM
wow that a snake bite is basicaly nothing thanks everyone :crazy2:
A king snake bit is basically nothing. A retic, Burmese or scrub for example of an ETB bite - that'd I'd rather avoid.
SerpentineDream
07-22-17, 05:24 PM
California king snakes aren't all that big. Imagine being smacked with a ruler that has small thumbtacks on it. That's about it. Some soap and water, a little Bactine and you're fine. Just check to make sure no tiny teeth are left behind. If there are you can pick them out with tweezers.
It is best for both you and the snake to hold still and wait for them to let go rather than jerking your hand back but I've never been able to overcome the reflex to yank away. It's done before I even think about it.
The first time I got bit it was a shock just because it happened so fast, but I was startled more than actually hurt.
ETA: I wouldn't be so nonchalant if I got bitten by my black milk snakes. Those guys are powerful and they hit like a hammer. They've never bitten me but I've seen and felt how hard they strike a rat. Yikes! Fortunately they are people-friendly.
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