How not to flinch??

[September]

I've seen the bite club thread, seen the thread asking how bad a BP bite is. My question is this, though: How do you not flinch? Isn't it natural instinct to flinch when there's something with teeth latching into you? Are some people just naturally better at not flinching than others?? Is there some way to train yourself not to flinch without getting bit?

Thanks :)

[Lankyrob]

Most times the hit is so fast that you flinch AFTER they have bitten yu and let go again!!

When my SD retic hit my knuckle hard enough for the hand to swell and for it to bruise for a week he was back in his hide pretty much at the same time i reacted.

As other said in the other thread sometimes you can get bitten without realising and its not til uyou see the blood you realise it has happened :)

[TragicTaste]

I've only been keeping snakes for about 6yrs, but I have been through bites with several different snakes, and I still flinch when they strike. I usually dont flinch after I get bit, because the simple anticipation is over at that point. Im curious as to what people think about what I can only assume is a fear reaction.

[September]

Thanks lankyrob :) I just really don't want to hurt my future snake, as I've heard (read?) flinching can do.

I've also seen a lot of you liken it to being scratched by a cat.. This is the worst cat scratch I've experienced (it's a few weeks old now) is this what I should be expecting?? Lol.. For some reason I envision a snake bite being much worse than this.

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s629/Brittany-Diane/Brittany001_zps3e0ab82d.jpg

TragicTaste, I don't know :P I half-way wish I had a friend with a snake that I could be like 'go ahead, bite me. Get it over with!' Kinda the way most kids feel about their first kiss, ya know?

[DeesBalls]

Lol get a baby Brazilian rainbow boa... chances are you will get bit.

Like everyone said. You really don't know you've been bit until after it happens.. it doesn't hurt so I guess I dont flintch much now because I know what to expect.?

[mykee]

No offense, but if you're this concerned about getting bit, maybe something with 80 teeth isn't the pet for you.

[BarelyBreathing]

It's just something you get used to.

[September]

Mykee, I'm not concerned with getting bit-as I stated previously, I'm concerned with hurting the snake if I flinch.

[promdom]

ive owned snakes for 2 years now and have worked with them at stores as well. ive been bit probably a dozen times and sometimes i flinch sometimes i don't, i think it depends on how much your expecting it! i find you can just tell if your snake is getting ready to strike, or if it is becoming very flighty in my hands i usually expect a bite

[DeesBalls]

Chances are you won't hurt the snake.... they almost all the time bite ans release.... usually when it has something to do with feeding that's when they tent to constrict
And stay latched

I never expeeianced that though.

[shaunyboy]

if it's a defensive strike,you won't have time to flinch,as it will be over before you react

if it's a feeding response,then just stay calm and run the snakes head under a TRICKLE of cold water,out the tap and it will release itself

re teeth
if your snake loses a tooth or teeth,then just keep an eye on its mouth for infection

that said snakes lose teeth all the time with no issues,a female jag left a tooth in me last week,she's fine but my fingers tender where i had to dig it out

cheers shaun

[September]

Chances are you won't hurt the snake.... they almost all the time bite ans release.... usually when it has something to do with feeding that's when they tent to constrict
And stay latched

I never expeeianced that though.

That seems to be the general consensus. I'm much more at ease now :)

if it's a defensive strike,you won't have time to flinch,as it will be over before you react

if it's a feeding response,then just stay calm and run the snakes head under a TRICKLE of cold water,out the tap and it will release itself

cheers shaun

Thanks for that! :) I'm sure it'll prove handy at some point, lol

[Snakefood]

I still "jump" when I get bit, but I find it's more my body jumping at the speed of the strike rather than pulling back the limb that is being assaulted!!

I have only been bit 3 times, twice by a corn and once by a BP, but I have never hurt my snakes because of the jump. the once that my BP bit and once when my corn did, they let go just as fast as they struck. the other time my corn (same one that bit the first time) struck, she actually held on to the back of my hand and wrapped around my wrist, that was more worrisome about harming her teeth and I was VERY careful while detaching her from my hand!!

[Lankyrob]

That cat scratch will hurt a lot more than a snake bite imo :)

[Terranaut]

That cat scratch will hurt a lot more than a snake bite imo :)


Yes a cat scratch is worse than a typical snake bite. If they bite and hold on thats another thing but most of the time its bang...then you react.
This was from my 6' male boa. It was a "told you I didn't want to be handled today" bite. Over and done before I could react. Healed in 2 days and itched more than it hurt. Don't fear a bite or you will be nervous around your snakes and somehow they know it. I would bet the cat scratch above took at least a week to heal and hurt alot. I was quite happy to finally have had it happen (because it will) and realize it wasn't so bad after all. The reason you worry about it is because of the way they eat. You wait for the bang so you are used to that anticipation of it. Just relax and remember if it happens your snake will be fine 99.9% of the time.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-155.jpg

[RandyRhoads]

I don't know what to tell you. I've dealt with snakes my whole life and i'm still a little girl when it comes to getting bit. Even the smallest of gopher snakes. Getting bit makes my heart skip a beat and I flinch, normally to laugh at myself a few seconds latter. I make it a point to avoid getting bit by them all.