Fear of Being Bit
So one thing that I have found ridiculous is my fear of being bit. I am sitting here wondering if I'm just being a weirdo or if its something a lot of people deal with and get over with time. I know I'm being weird and a scardey cat.
I have always loved snakes and held any I could get my hands on from the time I was a little kid. This included catching a lot of snakes out in the wild before releasing.
I finally starting owning my snakes a year ago and since I got bit by the bug I now own 5 (one is my BFs). It took me a long time to get over the hognoses bluffing. Revan used to bluff a lot when I first got her, but she doesn't now. I was afraid to hold her when she bluffed for a few months before I got more confident. Now I have the two axanthics which are bigger bluffers than Revan was. (The female is very very grumpy, always hissing and fake striking at me and food) Now I still jump a tiny bit when they bluff, but it doesn't unnerve me.
Yesterday I made a mistake and forgot to wash my hands before taking Revan out. (which normally I am so good about) I took her out and before I even had her completely out of the cage she had latched on to my little finger. Water didn't get her off, mouthwash did though. I rinsed her off again before putting her back as she seem very agitated. It didn't hurt and I didn't have any reaction to the saliva. The whole process probably only lasted 45 seconds. Yet I feel unnerved. I ended up holding the Rosy Boa after and she kept digging her nose into my hand and it made me nervous and I wanted to put her back. She is think as a sharpie and wouldn't hurt me. The bite with Revan didn't hurt at all either. This is the second time she has bit me, and she is such a piggy that I do have to be careful when getting her out. (I'm honestly thinking of a hook)
The only one that can do a bit of damage would be the ball python but even then it wouldn't be a big deal. Heck I've been bitten by dogs and cats and I am not as jumpy around them.
Another side question, what is the best way to get a stubborn snake to let go? Especially with considering that the longer a hognose chews on you there is a higher chance of having a reaction to the saliva. I've heard that the mouthwash only sometimes work, and I do not want to hurt the snakes at all.
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1.1 Axanthic Het. Snow Western Hognoses |--| 0.1 Normal Western Hognose |--| 1.0 Lesser G.Stripe BP |--| 0.1 Bay of LA Rosy Boa |--| 1.0 Leo |--| 1.1 Canines |--| 1.0 Equine
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