Bitten Much?

[Loren]

What a cool thread!!

Here is an observation with out Ball Python, I would assume it would be true for any snake with heat pits.

Cain has always ate live prey, I was told when I got him that was all he would ever take. (bet they tried to serve cold)

When I thaw mice from the freezer, I put them in a bag, and set the bag in a dish of hot water. This thaws the mouse quickly and gives it heat.

Whenever I dangle a warm (F/T) from the tongs, Cain hits the bulls eye perfectly, however when I get to the last mouse or two, they have started to cool down, suddenly my hand is warmer than the mouse, and his aim changes drastically!! (I have had him try to go for my face before)

If the mouse is cold, all the snake knows is that his nose smells food, and apparently his heat pits take priority over his eyes when it's time to strike.

Definitely some truth to that. I have noticed snakes with heat pits aare pickier with f/t, and it seems to help if its good and warm.
My bp used to take f/t, then I made the mistake of letting someone watch him take a live rat (they had never seen a snake eat a live animal, and wanted to). He has been a live-only eater since. Hits like a freight train!

[Loren]

See, now I feel left out... I guess I'll just have to swish my hands around some salmon and just dangle them in the tank...

That'll do it!

[infernalis]

Rub a mouse on your nose and give 'em a kiss

[Loren]

Yeah, then post a pic.
I would hate to take a face bite from my bp. Hes getting big and really strong. The only snake of mine bigger is my largest gopher, but bitewise, I think the bp would hurt more.

[infernalis]

Oh yeah, Cain is as thick as a sink drain, prolly 1.5-2 full inches in girth.

AND he is still young

Once he wrapped around my hand/wrist and started to squeeze, my fingers went numb.

Thankfully Royal Pythons are rather docile, Probably explains the popularity in the pet trade.

When he takes down a rat, it is impressive to see. Lightning fast, and dead accurate, He has NEVER been bitten while in my care.

He constricts them in a way that the head is safely pointed away at the time, or he clamps down on their head with his own mouth to prevent them from biting him back.

Limon strikes fast also, fortunatly he has a small mouth, he is more likely to leave an impact bruise!

[Loren]

Yep, my bp is very precise in his hold to, which is amazing considering the speed at which he does it.
For the most part, bp's only seem to bite out of feeding response. They arent typically aggressive, rather they live up to their name and ball up when threatened.

[bsol]

I cant count how many times I've been bitten either. Garters, water snakes(a number of species), racers, kings, rat snakes... There might be more. That was during my younger days. Now i'm a more careful. Also a lot less in the woods and canals.

[ssssnakeluvr]

You went to the vet for a snake bite? You're an animal!

LOL!!! no I went to the normal doctor, worked for the vet while in the army....and yes I have been called an animal on many occasions...

[reptile3]

Let's see... Kyle my red sided, tried to bite me.. didn't hurt!

My Iguana has bitten me 2 times, small bites - hurt & bled

Bearded Dragon, never bit me.... come close to it, cause I hand feed him his greens
and worms.

My Ball Python, hasn't bitten me, or even tried to!! He is soo sweet, that is why I call him my baby!
Aundrea likes to call him.. Mr. Goodyear (Goodyear tire) LOL - I feed him frozen,thawed small rats. I did start him off on live mice, then switched to the frozen.

as for my geckos, none bitten me yet either.


However, I had been bitten badly by my old iguana Willy, 5ft male, at the time he was 7 yrs old. I was 3 months pregnant with my son.
Took Willy out for a walk, brought him back in his room... proceeded to take off his collar... & he took a bite. I didn't realize till I saw massive amounts of blood. Got 3 of my fingers, scars to prove it!!
After that, he never even tried to bite me, he was my best friend!!

[Loren]

However, I had been bitten badly by my old iguana Willy, 5ft male, at the time he was 7 yrs old. I was 3 months pregnant with my son.
Took Willy out for a walk, brought him back in his room... proceeded to take off his collar... & he took a bite. I didn't realize till I saw massive amounts of blood. Got 3 of my fingers, scars to prove it!!
After that, he never even tried to bite me, he was my best friend!!

Guess he just needed to get that off his chest, then he was ok?