Welcome aboard... but I can't really blame your friends. It stresses the importance of how keepers should always be acutely aware of their animal's behaviour, especially when it comes to something that could one day be life threatening like a large python, nile monitor, crocodilian, etc...even more serious for those of us who keep venomous species. It is all too easy to become complacent and let down our guard just once, and that is when we end up with the stitches, or worse. Anyway, keep it as clean as possible to minimize scarring.
Rav
