View Full Version : snake bite...new found fear
so some of u know that awhile ago my brb bit me...and i thought that if i just chilled and gave it time i would get over it...ive had snakes and various reptiles for around 7 yrs tho this was my first bite, and ive found lately that if one of my snakes even jolts a little bit im immediatly putting it back into its tank and i wait for my g/f to come home to take out the brb cuz i just dont trust him at all. is thier any advice anyone has to help me out with this? cuz im thinking of clearing my stock at this point just cuz i cant seem to give them the attention they should have i love all my babys i have my favorites but i dont even hold them anymore
and the bite didnt even hurt it just more or less startled me
infernalis
02-10-12, 09:32 PM
I'm not sure how to respond, except try and just put the incident behind you.
I have been bitten more than once, I just keep on going back.
Maclyal
02-10-12, 09:45 PM
it's just like when you were a kid & fell off your bike, slide, swing, fell down & skinned your knee. It hurt & scared you, but you didn't give up on the things that were fun to you.
same applies here. please put it in the back of your mind & do what you enjoy, "Play with your friends & give them the love & attention you always did before."
it is inevidable sooner or later you will have one bite you, I know I have been bitten a few times in the past year & a half. it scared me, sometimes it hurt, but I would not give them up for the world.
keep working thru it, you will be back to normal in no time.
UwabamiReptiles
02-10-12, 09:47 PM
Getting bit is just part of keeping reptiles. I've only been bit by two adult carpet pythons in the 6 years I've been keeping them. But I personally used the experience to learn from. Now I can say I've only been bit twice in 6 years because I've learned to read my snakes and know when they're agitated or calm. No one likes to take a bite but it just comes with the territory.
If this incident has kept you from caring for your animals correctly then maybe this hobby isn't for you. Or maybe you can face your fear head on and try to overcome it. 7 years with one bite is a really good run. Going that long without a bite shows that you know what you doing. Just approach your snakes with the confidence you had before the bite and I think you'll be fine.
so some of u know that awhile ago my brb bit me...and i thought that if i just chilled and gave it time i would get over it...ive had snakes and various reptiles for around 7 yrs tho this was my first bite, and ive found lately that if one of my snakes even jolts a little bit im immediatly putting it back into its tank and i wait for my g/f to come home to take out the brb cuz i just dont trust him at all. is thier any advice anyone has to help me out with this? cuz im thinking of clearing my stock at this point just cuz i cant seem to give them the attention they should have i love all my babys i have my favorites but i dont even hold them anymore
... It may be better to just not take him out of the enclosure in the long run. Since you have claimed to owning various reptiles for the past 7 years you should know by now how to read your reptiles. All reptiles are capable of biting and sometimes there is nothing you can do.
You're thinking of "clearing" your collection because your scared of getting bit?
BarelyBreathing
02-10-12, 10:01 PM
The most painful part of being bit is the anticipation. (Unless you take a retic bite to the face, but that's a story for another time.)
alessia55
02-10-12, 10:16 PM
Don't start over-judging their every move. They get more startled than you do. I'd recommend... go back to basics. Getting used to picking them up, and setting them down. Starting over with 5mins sessions. Think of this: your BRB has already put the incident behind him. He probably doesn't even remember it. Take deep breaths, and remind yourself that one bite doesn't mean they'll bite every time- or ever again. So take it back to basics and re learn the confidence you once had. :)
its not a matter of being scared of being bit...it didnt hurt it just startled me. but for some reason that has me so frustrated everytime they do something erratic i get spooked and put them back.....and yes im generally good at reading my snakes but he was under his hide when he struck out i didnt see him
Strutter769
02-10-12, 11:13 PM
I totally get that being bitten dies startle a person! So, if you do clear out your collection, I know someone in the market for an amazing male BRB.... *THIS GUY!* :yes:
BarelyBreathing
02-10-12, 11:20 PM
its not a matter of being scared of being bit...it didnt hurt it just startled me. but for some reason that has me so frustrated everytime they do something erratic i get spooked and put them back.....and yes im generally good at reading my snakes but he was under his hide when he struck out i didnt see him
He was probably more startled than you were.
Buy a pair of gloves and start back that way.
Rogue628
02-10-12, 11:41 PM
Buy a pair of gloves and start back that way.
Exactly what I was going to suggest. I've been bitten only a handful of times in the years I've kept snakes and most were my fault. I know I did something wrong and they were just reminding me :p
My burm tagged my hand a few weeks ago over a dumb noob mistake. I knew better but because I was so tired I guess I forgot or I was getting too comfortable in handling her. Either way, it was still my fault. I still handle her as frequently as my work is allowing me to right now.
The only one I have issues with at the moment is my king. She hasn't tagged me yet, but she's gotten the boyfriend several times and it was nothing he'd done wrong. She's just not used to handling and think fingers are pinkies and tries to eat them. lol I'm getting to where I'm taking her out using leather gloves (I decided on leather because with the way she like to bite I'm afraid she could harm herself on cloth or cloth like materials. She still hasn't gotten me yet, but I haven't built up enough trust in her to take them off. Once I've gotten some trust in her, I'll take them off. Knowing my luck she'll know the difference and tag me when they're off :laugh:
theapexgerman
02-11-12, 12:02 AM
I've been tagged a lot my 5 foot bull snake is the devile he bites no matter what you do and he's hurt a lot. But I've been tagged by my buddy corn snake it didn't hurt so what I did was get some of the welder gloves and now that's how I hold my bull he got me on the nose before that really hurt think of it this way are you going to let your pet snake get the best of you no you go back and hold him
jaleely
02-11-12, 03:30 AM
As long as the animal's husbandry isn't suffering, and you are able to feed them properly, etc., you don't *have* to hold them. You can just get a snake hook and put them in another container when cleaning or feeding. No biggie, plenty of people have display only reptiles. Just make sure their care is not suffering.
exwizard
02-11-12, 05:32 AM
As long as the animal's husbandry isn't suffering, and you are able to feed them properly, etc., you don't *have* to hold them. You can just get a snake hook and put them in another container when cleaning or feeding. No biggie, plenty of people have display only reptiles. Just make sure their care is not suffering.
I like this idea and completely agree with it. I have been tagged by several different pet snakes of mine, the most recent of which when Ramón tagged me three times followed by a hiss but none of it bothers me anymore. I do like to handle all my snakes so I will do what I can do be able to continue handling them but that is just me. I wont keep a snake I cant handle as a pet. That being said, there are options you can take in order to continue with this snake or any other and Jaleely has it right with the hooking suggestion.
KORBIN5895
02-11-12, 07:28 AM
If you weren't even holding him when you got bit why worry when you hold him. How old us this snake and how long have you owned him? What animals do you own?
This whole scenario seems odd to me. With seven years of experience you are afraid to hold your snake now? I feel like there is more to the story or maybe I am just missing something.
As for advice I would recommend taking your snake out and sitting on the couch or chair so you get used to them again. Hopefully it smooths out for you.
DragonsEye
02-11-12, 09:07 AM
.....and yes im generally good at reading my snakes but he was under his hide when he struck out i didnt see him
I can relate to that -- I got tagged by Osiris (5+ ft rat snake) just last night. I was redistributing the substrate in a corner of his enclosure when he struck from the cover of his hide so I didn't see it coming. Then the dumbell started trying to pull back into his hide. (Maybe he thought he had bagged the king of all rodents. :p ) So had to grab him and pull him forward a bit to get him to release. Definitely surprised me. Went and rinsed the blood off, cleaned the area with soap then rubbing alcohol. After I was sure the bleeding was done and the area dried off, went back and picked him up for a bit.
If you do enjoy handling your snakes, I suspect the only way you'll get over your anxiety is to make yourself handle them again. I like the ideas mentioned about using gloves as you get back into handling or the hook if you don't.
I can't tell you how many times I have been bit, but most of those were feeding responses and were all my fault. I do however have juvenile Texas rat snake and a juvenile corn snake that bite me constantly, but I just keep holding them and they stop, until NEXT time I get them out. The only one of my snakes that I'm nervous about getting bit by is my 3-4 foot carpet python, she constantly tries to bite me, but I'm real good at reading her behavior, so I have managed to avoid getting bit SO FAR. The best mind set to have is "you don't scare me you silly snake". Just don't let them get the best of you. That's the best advice I can give you.
shaunyboy
02-11-12, 10:13 AM
I can't tell you how many times I have been bit, but most of those were feeding responses and were all my fault. I do however have juvenile Texas rat snake and a juvenile corn snake that bite me constantly, but I just keep holding them and they stop, until NEXT time I get them out. The only one of my snakes that I'm nervous about getting bit by is my 3-4 foot carpet python, she constantly tries to bite me, but I'm real good at reading her behavior, so I have managed to avoid getting bit SO FAR. The best mind set to have is "you don't scare me you silly snake". Just don't let them get the best of you. That's the best advice I can give you.
it looks worse than it feels,heres a feeding responce from a 4ft carpet pal
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond1/S8004406.jpg
cheers shaun
Snakefood
02-11-12, 10:59 AM
I have 2 that keep striking at me and one has hit me twice. I am going to go get a snake hook, because mine (don't know about yours) only strike out when I'm getting them out. Then they are nice. So I'll hook them out and then I can handle them just fine
theapexgerman
02-11-12, 12:57 PM
I use a hook with my bull snake lol once he out of the cage hell still will bite but not often
DragonsEye
02-11-12, 06:05 PM
it looks worse than it feels,heres a feeding responce from a 4ft carpet pal
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond1/S8004406.jpg
cheers shaun
Kind of disgusted with myself. I did take a picture of the bite I received AFTER I cleaned it up. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry032.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) It registered right after I rinsed it off that I should have done a before and after cleaning shot. People not in the hobby so often think that the bite damage would be like that of a dog. With tis in mind, I took the pic so that I can show folks how minor it is. Since hands tend to bleed a lot, nonvenomous bites can look far worse than they are. Showing a photo a before (bloody) and after (cleaned up) would have been a far better illustration, I believe.
it looks worse than it feels,heres a feeding responce from a 4ft carpet pal
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq17/spilota01/diamond1/S8004406.jpg
cheers shaun
I'm sure it does, but I don't think I will ever get over being nervous until I get bit and see for my self.
I have 2 that keep striking at me and one has hit me twice. I am going to go get a snake hook, because mine (don't know about yours) only strike out when I'm getting them out. Then they are nice. So I'll hook them out and then I can handle them just fine
That's how my carpet is. She's a little devil snake in her cage, but once out she's fine.
exwizard
02-12-12, 11:18 AM
I'm sure it does, but I don't think I will ever get over being nervous until I get bit and see for my self.
I had that same thought as well until one of the baby Macks tagged me shortly after I got them. I was like, "is that it??" Since then I have no fear of getting tagged and I have been tagged several times since then by others. I do respect them but I dont fear them.
I had a good long run in snake keeping where I had almost never been bit. Then I bred macklots pythons. Those babies will bite you about 10 times in one quick cage cleaning - lol! Honestly though, that was a great thing for me. I learned that most snake bites (especially the bites from little snakes) won't hurt at all and that there is no reason to jump. I got so used to being bit that I came to a place where I wouldn't jump or react at all.
Perhaps something similar would help you out. Know anyone with nippy babies???
I had a good long run in snake keeping where I had almost never been bit. Then I bred macklots pythons. Those babies will bite you about 10 times in one quick cage cleaning - lol! Honestly though, that was a great thing for me. I learned that most snake bites (especially the bites from little snakes) won't hurt at all and that there is no reason to jump. I got so used to being bit that I came to a place where I wouldn't jump or react at all.
Perhaps something similar would help you out. Know anyone with nippy babies???
Not sure who your talking to, lol. If your talking to me, I'm not really afraid to get bit or I wouldn't handle her, I'm just a little nervous is all cause I haven't been bit by anything larger than a yearling corn. If your not, then Wayne feel free to delete my post if you see fit.
shaunyboy
02-12-12, 12:56 PM
Kind of disgusted with myself. I did take a picture of the bite I received AFTER I cleaned it up. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angry032.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) It registered right after I rinsed it off that I should have done a before and after cleaning shot. People not in the hobby so often think that the bite damage would be like that of a dog. With tis in mind, I took the pic so that I can show folks how minor it is. Since hands tend to bleed a lot, nonvenomous bites can look far worse than they are. Showing a photo a before (bloody) and after (cleaned up) would have been a far better illustration, I believe.
imo your correct,i should have took an after picture,showing how little damage there was:o
i don't get bit very often,but will take before and after pictures next time
cheers shaun
Just go get one to bite you :P It for educational purposes :P
BarelyBreathing
02-12-12, 04:42 PM
Just go get one to bite you :P It for educational purposes :P
I can offer you an emerald. He's quick to bite.
Not sure who your talking to, lol. If your talking to me, I'm not really afraid to get bit or I wouldn't handle her, I'm just a little nervous is all cause I haven't been bit by anything larger than a yearling corn. If your not, then Wayne feel free to delete my post if you see fit.
I was talking to the OP. Often increased exposure to the thing that we're afraid of seems to be able to help logic conquer our fears. Doesn't work for everyone, but in this case it seems like it might.
I was talking to the OP. Often increased exposure to the thing that we're afraid of seems to be able to help logic conquer our fears. Doesn't work for everyone, but in this case it seems like it might.
Never mind then lol. Good advice though.
DeesBalls
02-12-12, 09:09 PM
i agree, i have an old pair of leather isotoners (leather type gloves) that i use/used, im getting over it, but i had the same thing as you.. my original think came from a kenyan sand boa LOL. and i have only been bit 1 time (stuck at alot) but only a baby ball contacted with me, didnt even knwo it will i seen blood and lot of little teeth marks..
get some gloves, and go from there, if they hit the glove, it will not hurt...
The worst thing that happens is a little pain, I grew up with a huge dog my entire life and it bit me one time when it was ~10 months old, never even tried again. sometimes you just catch an animal off guard and they do something weird.
did the bite injur or cause any lasting issues? Other than psychologically, the bite probably didnt do much, and therefore you should look at it as.. getting bit isnt a big deal, tis the same thing as stubbing your toe, hurts for a few seconds, but doesn't stop me from walking around corners barefoot
ive always held my snakes each one has a seperate place in my comp room to chill and hang out and i have ropes and logs that go around the entire room and down onto my comp desk so they can hang out and explore. i am proud to say i held my red tail boa yesterday he was kinda angry i think cuz i went so long without holding him but he did chill out and we watched family guy.
as for what i currently have for reptiles
i have a red tail
2 corn snakes
a milksnake
and the brb i was told was a yr old but hes very small
i also have a whiptail 2 bearded dragons a tokay gecko a water dragon and a crested gecko
the bite didnt hurt at all didnt even really do any dmg it just startled me
maybe its cus im not sure what i did to scare him:/
Shmoges
02-14-12, 10:29 PM
I think your post title should be "snake bite...new found Respect"
Unless its a hot or a big snake the bite is more in your head than were the teeth are. The very chance of being bit for no reason or mistake on my part is what makes me like snakes. There so different than other animals. There a mix of evolution and primitiveness that amazes me every time I spot clean, feed, or hold one.
It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do snakes are snakes, we all try to do our best and be better but things happen and thats the fun!!
millertime89
02-15-12, 01:21 AM
maybe its cus im not sure what i did to scare him:/
You're big, he's small, it could be as simple as that. He could've had a random foray into feed mode, or he could've even just been tired of being held and decided a nip would be the best way to convey his feelings.
DragonsEye
02-15-12, 08:58 AM
I can offer you an emerald. He's quick to bite.
Heh. I'm sure one of my snakes will oblige again some day. :D
Will0W783
02-15-12, 09:37 AM
To the OP, I'm sorry you are skittish now. I used to jump every time one of my snakes struck or tensed and I would scream and cry when I got bitten. Unfortunately, taking bites is par for the course with keeping snakes- I do not know anyone who's kept multiple snakes for years that hasn't been bitten at least once or a few times.
I don't know how much comfort this will be, but after a few bites, you stop noticing. I think that after about the tenth bite I took, I stopped even flinching. I used to get bitten by EVERYTHING...I'd average 2 bites per month. However, I've learned to avoid bites and hook training has helped.
You'll get over this fear in time, but I think it's sadly one of those things that only experience helps...and this sort of experience means lots of blood donating. lol.
Shmoges
02-15-12, 09:58 AM
Hey Miya, If your red tail gets to be anything like the one I was temporarily taking care of size wise I'd say its your biggest threat bite wise. They have a strong strike, You just have to pay attention to the animals head location and body language and handle it accordingly. I am still learning my brb's behaviors but I always pay more attention when he turns and looks at my hand lol.
Rogue628
02-15-12, 10:50 AM
Hey Miya, If your red tail gets to be anything like the one I was temporarily taking care of size wise I'd say its your biggest threat bite wise. They have a strong strike, You just have to pay attention to the animals head location and body language and handle it accordingly. I am still learning my brb's behaviors but I always pay more attention when he turns and looks at my hand lol.
You ain't lying! lol And different animals react differently. For instance, when I misted, some of my animals will move, some won't. When I mist my rainbow, if the spray actually touches her, she launches herself out of the cage at me, mouth wide open. lol
Shmoges
02-15-12, 11:27 AM
Jesus! I will remember that!
Rogue628
02-15-12, 01:32 PM
Yours may not do it. Mine has been feisty since the day I had her. I'm just now getting where I trust her enough not to bite me when I hold her for short periods of time and she's grumpy as hell if you startle her awake. lol
My king, however, is a biter. That's why we named her Nom Nom...she thinks fingers are food :p lol
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