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#2173269
Baylor13
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Got my first bite in over 13 years 
I have been working with snakes for 13 years and never been bitten by anything more than a baby corn snake, no blood just a nip. Well last night I was feeding my 8 ft female RTB in her mesh bag and she didn’t take the food. So I stupidly reached over her to get it and move it, she found my hand... I now have a swollen black and blue hand with about 30 punctures, five worth watching. Now to the point. I work at petco so had my hand wrapped up to keep it clean. I lost count of how many people asked what happened so I told them. The reactions I got were very surprising. Most asked if I had one less snake in the house and if I would get rid of the rest because of it. Obviously no, it was my fault. So I tell people no and explain to them it was my fault and one bite in 13 years is better then most people have with their own dogs. After that people start to understand and most even told me that their pets either cats or dogs have bitten or scratched them many times.
The point of this, even a bite can be a chance to educate people on snakes and how great they can be as pets.
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09/02/10 05:27pm
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#2173318
Abcdefgh
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Message To: Baylor13 In reference to Message Id: 2173269
Got my first bite in over 13 years
That must have hurt a bit for an 8 footer! And I totally agree with you on the cats and dogs thing. A cat scratch hurts!
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09/02/10 09:57pm
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#2173322
Mryan1994
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Message To: Abcdefgh In reference to Message Id: 2173318
Got my first bite in over 13 years
Ones misfortune is another ones knowledge. That sucks that you were bit by that big of a rtb, hope your hand gets better soon. 13 years is a long time to not get bit good job. I hate how people think that snakes are evil and are dangerous they are only to those who are careless with how they treat. They are safer than any dogs, cats, even birds. My brother was bitten by a dog on his thigh a year ago and you can count all the teeth marks. And during this summer a cat scratched me and I had to get stitches. Then a worker at petco lost the tip a finger to a macaw that he was told not to approach. And with snakes all it is is a few tiny holes. The only time’s I have been bitten bye snakes is when I was careless and tried to move the mouse out of the cage because it didn’t get eaten and spooked the snake and I got bit. And I said sorry lol then another was I was introducing my 6ft rtb at the time shes 7.8ft now to my 3 year old cousin who when ever she sees me yells snake want snake. Any ways took her out jade was facinated then my cousin Kaylee hit baby in the face and she struck my arm 8 times repeatedly. That was 2 years ago and the last time I was bit was on cleaning day and I moved to fast to get my bp and she got scared and struck. Heres a pic of the last bite I had in a year. Sorry for the long post it just bugs me how people misjudge these animals.
- this was viewable for 4 days after and I knew it was my fault before she struck I thought to fast then she got me lol.
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09/02/10 10:16pm
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#2173337
Serpentshideaway
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Message To: Mryan1994 In reference to Message Id: 2173322
Got my first bite in over 13 years
I was wondering how bad it hurts to get bitten by rtbs and bps i have one of each and have been lucky so far in that i havent been complacent or stupid when handling my pets or even feeding and cleaning for that matter any helpful hints i may not thought of would be more than welcomed as well and to op sucks you got bit but to turn it to a positive like that was a good thing for snake community right now thank you for thinkin of that
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09/02/10 11:32pm
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#2173340
Baylor13
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Message To: Serpentshideaway In reference to Message Id: 2173337
Got my first bite in over 13 years
The worst I would say is the first few minutes. When Bambi (the big girl) got me I got right up and went to wash it with cold water. That was the worst part, getting it cleaned off. After I got a rag and wrapped it up for awhile to stop the bleeding then got my mom to help me wrap it up. Now it throbs but not the burning when she first got me. This all comes with having a snake though. I have been very lucky to have lasted 13 years without a bite. The thing is you have to respect the animal and realize that it is a wild animal. You will be bitten at least once in your lifetime while working with snakes, and if you dont then you probably are doing something wrong LOL!!
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09/03/10 12:13am
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#2173345
Baylor13
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Message To: Baylor13 In reference to Message Id: 2173340
Got my first bite in over 13 years
few more tips, watch their body language. That is a huge thing, if the tongue starts to flick faster then normal it might be a good idea to put them in the cage. Once you drop the food in the cage, leave it! They have a great sense of smell and DO NOT need your help to find it. Use slow movements when in the cage with them, and it is best to take them out when doing any cage cleaning. I have shoe boxes for the small ones and storage boxes for the bigger ones.
One of the most important things is if the snake is over 5ft please please please have at least two people in the room when handling them. I know it is strange but it is a great rule and I try to keep it. If something happens its always better to have another person there, like with me, my mom helped me get the wound wrapped and cleaned plus helped me get Bambi back in her cage. The bigger they get the more important this is, you can ask most people with large snakes and they will tell you this.
The biggest thing is to respect them. They are wild animals, they have mouths and teeth, they can bite so you have to respect them. Put yourself in their position. Think about what you can handle and what you would want someone to do with you.
Again if you get bit, take it in stride. You made a mistake, dont do it again. Learn from it and share it with others but let them know they are not horrible creatures. And remember it is your fault, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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09/03/10 01:13am
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#2173686
Baylor13
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Message To: Baylor13 In reference to Message Id: 2173345
Got my first bite in over 13 years
So it was more serious then I thought it was. Friday I woke up not being able to move my fingers on the hand so I went to the emergency room, just thought I would get antibiotics. Not so much. Two shots, one for swelling and the other for the infection then antibacterial pills and swelling pills. feel much better today and still dont blame her for a thing, I will always say it was my stupidity. Just a warning to others, if you are bitten please keep an eye on it and dont be ashamed to get help if you need it. It’s also another way to educate people on them.
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09/04/10 09:47pm
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#2173950
Mryan1994
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Message To: Baylor13 In reference to Message Id: 2173686
Got my first bite in over 13 years
Ouch its good to hear your better today.
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09/06/10 12:18pm
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#2174413
Fairy Frog Mother
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Message To: Mryan1994 In reference to Message Id: 2173950
Got my first bite in over 13 years
tiny little puncture wounds get infected easily. I always pour peroxide on em and encourage them to bleed as much as I can before bandaging. Glad you caught the infection in time!
and yes, I fully agree with you. EVERY time I have been bit, I have been warned by my snakes. I have avoided a number of bites this way. Some, I decided I was going to get the snake out and clean its cage despite its posturing, cause well, it was the only time I had to do it! Hahaha. Never anything serious, nor any infections from it. Guess ive been lucky! Good luck!
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09/08/10 01:41pm
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