garter bites

[garterking]

I have never been really hurt by a garter snake bite. Two small pin pricks with very little blood is the worst I have ever gotten. Mosquito bites are worse in my opinion. Becouse of the garters speed, if they lunge they will hit their target. It's the suprise or shock that is the worst part. Be brave

[drache]

critters I've gotten bitten by, that were worse than garters:
mosquito
dog
dog fleas
hamster
gerbil
horse
bearded dragon
cat
king snake
I think that covers it
the one that hurt the most was where the cat sunk his teeth through my thumbnail in two places and I turned beet red all over and needed an
epinephrine shot

[Pinky]

aww, that sounds like a nasty bite!!!lol

[Stefan-A]

When Zulu bit me, it was just like the tiniest little pinpricks. It didn't hurt at all, though she managed to draw a little drop of blood and it was a bit itchy for a few seconds.

Reading this, I'm starting to think my snake might actually have bit me once without me noticing it. I mentioned once before that it did strike with its mouth closed, but I felt itching afterwards. Thought it was just my imagination. Didn't see any blood, didn't feel more than a slight bump, wasn't really paying attention.

[Elliot]

The only time I ever get bit is when Stanely gets a little over-enthusiatic when I hand feed him some fish. He doesn't ever clamp down though.

[Lee]

Never been bitten, they can usually tame down without ever getting bit ;*)

[flakgunner]

hey,
Not much to worry about.I've been bitten so many times,main thing to remember,not to pull back or pull the snake off,just let him hang on ,he'll release,their curved teeth will do more damage ,if you panic.In the wild,I'll grab,period,and if they turn and bite,thats okay,I've gottem,and it ain't going anywhere.Gartersnakes,just a little pinprick,my youngest girl,Autumn(10),caught a Western Plains,lashed out,gave her a kiss on the cheek,1/2 dozen little tooth marks,just made sure that no teeth,where in the skin.Now if we where talking ,something bigger,like a 6' Bullsnake,in Arizona,YEOW!!I grabbed one mid section latched on to my elbow,and walked it's jaws all the way down to my wrist.Came across a 5' Black Ratsnake in S.Illinois ,sitting in a tree about fifteen feet up,I climbed up,I grabbed him,he grabbed me,and we came down that way.I've been catching snakes since the early 70's , it's been my experience that Watersnakes have been the meanest and inflict the most pain .

Joe

[Pinky]

WOW!!!that's funny you should mention water snakes...I have caught and released a few this year and dispite all the horror stories , they were relativly calm!one did however musk me which i wasn't too pleased about!LOL!I am definatly over the "fear factor" i think...it wasn't a real issue at first because he was calm until he got used to his viv.no bites yet just the odd 2 second hissy fit and then all is welli took him outside in the sun/shade (if he wanted it) for a couple hours each day this weekend!!!love the great stories...some one should start a snake bite sories thread
!LOL

[Lee]

I've never been bitten... Although ' pin pricks ' are not my cup of tea, I'm deathly afraid of needles..

[Josh]

i got bit today didnt hurt left a couple teeth mark though