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.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

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.

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.

that is basically exactly what I was going to say. In fact, i think you read my mind!!!

[infernalis]

No Shannon, they just like to poop all over you

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

you are right Wayne...

Not many people out there have been showered in garter poop by 5 massive females all at once, and were so proud of the moment they made their boyfriend stop to take pictures!!!

I saw them all and I HAD to dive on the pile... I HAD to catch them all for photos and observation!

I know it was really gross, but at the same time.. how many times does that happen?!?! that to me was the mark of a truely exhilarating and fun herping expierience even if it was messy. Rarely do many herpers come across PILES of snakes!

It is why showers were invented!

[ssssnakeluvr]

I've been bitten more times than I can count...lots of them are from snakes grabbing fingers that smell like fish. have a few nasty ones that bite anyway. occasionally bitten by a wild one.... been tagged by a few other herps also...including a baby eastern massassauga...dry bite, only one fang hit my finger at an angle...got it bleeding right away, rinsed it off...no effects...other then the a**hole vet making me get rid of my collection (she didn't like me anyway).