Bitten Much?

[prattypus]

Now I know that most folks on here have had more than enough opportunity to get nipped at by a snake. Reaching out to catch them, trying to feed them, move them, or just handling them in general.

And while I know that each species/sub-species is different, and that individuals themselves can vary- I would just like to know how often people get tore up as a result of this hobby.

I know I'm due, but I am still scar free- snakewise that is...

[Stefan-A]

And while I know that each species/sub-species is different, and that individuals themselves can vary- I would just like to know how often people get tore up as a result of this hobby.

Speaking for myself, never. I do my best to avoid it, even if it's not important to be that careful. I've been bitten three times. The first two times were intentional, I wanted to test how snappy my female parietalis was and the third time a baby tetrataenia probably just thought my thumb was edible.

[Seere121]

I've gotten it once or twice accidentally and a couple times intentionally. Only once accidentally by a "big" snake, my female ball python during feeding. On a few occasions with my garters I've had to substitute my finger for something they thought was food and shouldn't have been eating.

[Sid]

Believe it or not, I have never been bitten by one of my adult garters. I have been nipped a few times by babies and nailed on occasion by both water snakes and racers. Neither of the latter were bad at all.

[Zephyr]

I never get hit by wild garters anymore.
In my collection, occasionally Fatty will work herself up and give me a good nip if I've got worms on my hands or I get in the way.
Other than that...
I've taken hits from northern water snakes. It's only bad if they decide to "chew."

[Loren]

I get bitten occasionally, but very rarely when considering that my collection is usually between 70- 85 snakes. My Garters practically never bite. A couple of them would definitely do it out of feeding response, but I feed with a hemostat, so it doesnt usually happen.
Only rarely does a bite actually draw more than a drop of blood though. The only ones that have caused much bleeding are my 5'+ gopher snake and my 3' racer. I have a coachwhip now, so most likely it will join that list soon too

Wild snakes rarely bite me either. I do use my hands(for non-venomous), and do not constrain their head, but have done my best to learn how to handle with the least amount of threat to the snake, so they usually do not bite.

[crzy_kevo]

i have been nipped by george twice while feeding i was about to give checkers a worm and george still smelled food on my fingers and she took some nipps at me and i caught a baby a few weeks ago that wouldn't stop trying to bite me

[jitami]

I haven't been bitten yet and while logically I know it will be no big deal I've managed to get myself a bit worked up about it. I KNOW it's silly... I KNOW it won't really hurt... but I guess until it actually happens I'll continue to be a bit paranoid about it. I also know that sounds weird, but what can I say, it's the truth...

Ms. Ella will surely get me one of these days. She pounds food and gets defensive when disturbed... anyone want to take bets on whether my inevitable first bite will be a misguided feeding response or a defensive strike?

[Zephyr]

I haven't been bitten yet and while logically I know it will be no big deal I've managed to get myself a bit worked up about it. I KNOW it's silly... I KNOW it won't really hurt... but I guess until it actually happens I'll continue to be a bit paranoid about it. I also know that sounds weird, but what can I say, it's the truth...

Ms. Ella will surely get me one of these days. She pounds food and gets defensive when disturbed... anyone want to take bets on whether my inevitable first bite will be a misguided feeding response or a defensive strike?

Hmm... With wanderings...
They seem to have good accuracy...
I'm gonna have to say defensive strike.

[jitami]

Not exactly wanderings, elegans elegans(mountain garters)... she's a beast, though...

I was trying to feed both in the tank yesterday with one pair of tongs... it went something like this... shove fuzzy in Ella's face, while she's working on that, try to tease feed Sly, done already Ella? Give Sly's fuzzy to Ella, quickly grab another fuzzy from bowl, try to tease feed Sly, What? Done already Ella?, give Sly's second fuzzy to Ella, while she's working on her third fuzzy try to convince Sly to eat... give up... put fourth fuzzy in the fridge, then in Sly's hide with him later while she was hidden on the other side of enclosure. Check back half hour later, Sly had bulge, fuzzy gone... system needs some tweaking!!!