My most painful bite ever...

Oroborous · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 06:15 PM

It happened last night. My boa Inigo was waiting for food at the door of his cage. Usually, I can pick him up when he's like that as long as he smells my hand and realizes it's not food. But as I slid back the door I wasn't paying attention to him, I was kneeling talking to someone across the room. So I didn't even see him strike, I just fell back onto my bed gripping my hand to my stomach. He let go quickly, knowing I wasn't food. But his teeth were still slightly in when I pulled away, so that made it worse. I bled a lot, more than I have with any snake bite. Sorry, no pics of the blood. But here are a few of my fingers the next morning.

I cleaned it with soap and then with an alcohol swab, I didn't have anything else. I don't think it will get infected, but it looks bad, worse in real life than in the pics. And it still hurts a day later. This was the second time Inigo has bite me, but by far it was my most painful snake bite. Just wanted to share, it was quite the experience and I have definitely learned from it. I didn't realize a two year old boa could have such a big mouth, lol! Here's a pic of the culprit.

Icicle · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 06:35 PM

Stunning Bite.
You always have to pay attention to them.

epic fail for not getting blood shots!!

HERPHAPPY · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 06:39 PM

Oh, OW-WEY! (is that a word, lol?) The main thing that will cause a problem is if any teeth remain in your skin, they have to come out! But a little Neosporin or whatever, you should be ok! (be sure to stay current on tetanus shots too, just in case) I'm glad he let go quickly, you'll never let your attention wander again, I'm betting? I've never had a snake bite get infected (& honestly seldom fuss much as far as bite care) but a friend* of mine had a long lasting infection in his hand when a tooth remained imbedded; he didn't realize it was still in there at the time, translucent can be hard to see! But remaining sharp pain should tell you if that's the case... glad you're ok!

HERPHAPPY · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 06:41 PM

Snakes should come with a pause button....lol???

-Jim- · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 06:51 PM

Impressive! It's been a long time since I had a bite, pause here while I find some wood to knock on...

It does look painful.

You'll be back in business before you know it. Thanks for sharing and putting this up especially for any new keepers that my be getting into it.

Stargazer · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 07:17 PM

Ouch! It hurts just to look at that, especially the tooth mark right at the edge of your nail. I got a similar bite a few years ago by my BCC. It got into the veins on my fingers and they bruised up for a few weeks. I had to cancel all my massage clients that week.

It's a good idea to keep either some betadine or hydrogen peroxide on hand.

Sakara · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 07:21 PM

ouch! lol. finger bites always suck. I'll take an arm bite any day LOL.

I have to admit when my albino boa grabbed my thumb and wrapped my arm that hurt WAY worse then when my burm bit my full hand when she was 7feet lol. the burm caused some nerve damage but the boa bite itself was more painful on the thumb LOL

Stargazer · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 07:23 PM

I agree. I've probably been bitten 10 times, but that bite on the fingers from the 4-1/2 foot boa was the most painful.

Oroborous · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 08:52 PM

Yeah, I would much rather have been bit on the arm...From now on I'll keep some hydrogen peroxide around, but hopefully this won't happen again any time soon, I'm not as tough as I like to think. lol.

Caligula13 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2010, 10:33 PM

yeah, my worst was in a pet shop, i had asked to check out the six foot guyana, and as i was holding her the super clever employee of this particular reptile store decided to pop her to sex her. as soon as i saw her going for the tail i tried to say this might not be the best time, her being scared and nervous with a new person, but alas it was too late. that beautiful girl had wrapped her beautiful snake lips firmly around my thumb and held on for a few seconds. as the blood ran down my arm the super smart girl looked at me with frightened eyes as she said, "yeah, they can be a bit testy". i just calmly asked her if she wouldn't mind getting me a paper towel and some sanitizer and do not really find the need to go to that particular store anymore haha

pwargcm · #11 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 02:32 AM

ouch that looks like a good one. ive yet to be grabbed by my only boa. but i know itll happen. shes stuck before but never made contact. so im hoping i get a arm bite.

on a side note, caligula, what kind of pet store pops adult boas. i would never go there if i seen that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caligula13

yeah, my worst was in a pet shop, i had asked to check out the six foot guyana, and as i was holding her the super clever employee of this particular reptile store decided to pop her to sex her.

Icicle · #12 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caligula13

yeah, my worst was in a pet shop, i had asked to check out the six foot guyana, and as i was holding her the super clever employee of this particular reptile store decided to pop her to sex her. as soon as i saw her going for the tail i tried to say this might not be the best time, her being scared and nervous with a new person, but alas it was too late. that beautiful girl had wrapped her beautiful snake lips firmly around my thumb and held on for a few seconds. as the blood ran down my arm the super smart girl looked at me with frightened eyes as she said, "yeah, they can be a bit testy". i just calmly asked her if she wouldn't mind getting me a paper towel and some sanitizer and do not really find the need to go to that particular store anymore haha

I might of ask to see the MOD (manager on duty) and told him that you were confiscating the snake take to vet for rabbi tests. Then told them you were keeping it as it has chosen you.

Mike Schultz · #13 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 02:50 AM

Awww, looks like it tickled

HERPHAPPY · #14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icicle

I might of ask to see the MOD (manager on duty) and told him that you were confiscating the snake take to vet for rabbi tests. Then told them you were keeping it as it has chosen you.

I didn't know a snake could be a rabbi? How does that work? LOL

HERPHAPPY · #15 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazer

I agree. I've probably been bitten 10 times, but that bite on the fingers from the 4-1/2 foot boa was the most painful.

Fingers have ALOT more nerves, as I recently found out! (accidentally cut a finger, needing 3 stitches...and it's still numb! oops!) See my snakes don't have to bite me, I do myself in, lol....

Icicle · #16 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

I didn't know a snake could be a rabbi? How does that work? LOL

Dang spell checker. rabies I mean.

Would be sweet to see a snake become a rabbi.

HERPHAPPY · #17 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icicle

Dang spell checker. rabies I mean.

Would be sweet to see a snake become a rabbi.

Yeah! My kind of religion!?

Caligula13 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-21-2010, 08:34 AM

haha, yeah, she was one of those, look down her nose at you white girl with blonde dreads with half of it shaved, everything she could find pierced just outa highschool lookin chick that had probably just learned how to pop a snake and since she has already had extensive experience with reptiles cause she owned a bearded dragon when she was six what could possibly go wrong, kinda person. eh, what can you do. didn't hurt as much as flaming hot carbide replacement steel showering you

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