Snake bite question for snake keepers

[irishsnakes]

i found that the anticipation of a bite was far worse than the actual bite.then again, ive never been bitten by anything big. YET.

[alphafem]

Originally Posted by Ed_r

I'd MUCH rather get bit by any non ven snake, than take a bite from a monitor.

Vet said if he ever bites me she suggests going to the doctor because they can have quite a nasty bite, not to mention all the bacteria... I realize this possibility. I wanted a Savannah for about a year before I got him. He was NOT an impulse buy.

As is stands now, I know it may change. He is more bark than bite. He threatens ALLOT but never really tries to bite. He seems to know that in our house I am the only one who holds him. *crosses finger* I hope I don't get bit but......I am aware of the possibility.

Anyone watch Wildboys on MTV? If I ever get a snake I want to get some tattoo ink.... I'm a dork.. That way I can prserve the bite. On the show thay made a huge snake big the (in the wind) then he put ink on it. The next day he had a snake bite tattoo. I guess I'm weird but that was very cool to me. :P

Thank you for all your replys!!

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

[Ed_r]

Vet said if he ever bites me she suggests going to the doctor because they can have quite a nasty bite, not to mention all the bacteria...

I don't think a monitor bite requires a doctor visit. Actually it may be in your best interest not to unless you have complications. The public has ways of twisting things around. You little Savannah monitor will turn out to be an 8' Komodo dragon by the time all is said and done. Only reason i wouldn't want to take a monitor bite, is that they have VERY strong jaws. Not for the bateria. In the wild the bacteria comes from eating carion, and since your not feeding it rotting carcasses ( i hope not :P) that wont be an issue. I've just seen what mine would do to a mouse, would hate to have my hand bit like that.

If you do get bit, just wash it off real good peroxide is a good thing, or betadine. bandage if needed.

[alphafem]

Originally Posted by Ed_r

The public has ways of twisting things around. You little Savannah monitor will turn out to be an 8' Komodo dragon by the time all is said and done.

:P People are dumb.... LOL but that is very true. Going in with a lizard bite could cause some questions and raise eyebrows.

Originally Posted by Ed_r

In the wild the bacteria comes from eating carion, and since your not feeding it rotting carcasses ( i hope not ) that wont be an issue.

Yea.. we are fresh out of rotting carcasses... He has been having to deal with being cooked for 4-6 times a day. Although he doesn't eat 1/2 of what I give him right now.

Originally Posted by Ed_r

If you do get bit, just wash it off real good peroxide is a good thing, or betadine. bandage if needed.

She (the vet) made it seems allot worse than what I had read. Most of what I read said as long as you dropped vinegar or apple bitter to make it release, instead of trying to drop the lizard or pull it off it should be to terribly bad. More pressure/force than big gapping wounds.

[jmsim7]

wow...didn't realize people got bit so much by "tame" animals...I love snake hunting and have gotten bit countless times by garters and milk snakes (and ring necks, lol that doesn't really count as a bite at all though- ever seen them tiny things?), usually it just scares me and I laugh but have never felt a painful bite...never had blood drawn either, just like little pin pricks to the skin

[JuliusSqueezer]

This thread is pretty funny. People will rough up a kitten, tickling it's belly and let it gnaw and kick but freak out like it's the end of the world if a cornsnake bites them. Most snake bites (nonven of course) are absolutly nothing. Kitten bites and scratches hurt a LOT more than most snake bites. Walking through the woods and rubbing against briars hurts a lot more than most snake bites too but do you freak out over such an event? If you have a pet snake, you overcame any fear you might have had. Now it's time to get over the fear of the bite. They don't pack much punch and they apply NO jaw pressure usually and those that do really don't have much to offer. Anacondas can be a pain to get off ya. but with most snakes... The teeth are very sharp and needle like so there is nearly no trauma other than a very quick little sting if anything. Most of the time, you aren't even sure you actually got bit untill you look down and see the little pinhead sized blood droplets. BTW, I was in a petstore one day and watched a Savannah Monitor latch onto a woman's hand and during her struggle to get her hand back she got her thumb degloved (skin and flesh stripped off leaving bone covered with mangled flesh). And you are worried about a boa or something taking a nip? lol

[LdyDrgn]

sscales, do you have Red Bloods? We have a pair of Borneos that hiss quite a bit, but have never offered to bite. They are rather vocal snakes, I've noticed, hehehe.

[ssscales]

Yes, I do have reds. They hiss as soon as they feel the touch and will get in strike possition, sometimes they strike other times it's a bluff. Usually they will let me know when play time is over.

[Cretia]

There is no reason anyone should be scared of a snake bite when they are keeping a moniter! Those things scare me! I got charged at by one in a pet store. The crazy woman that owns it told me "it'll eat right outa your hand." Thank god i knew better, but i still wanted to feed it. I just slightly lifted the lid and went to toss the mouse inside when the thing came flying out and almost latched onto my chest! Scared the heck outa me! If it was that hungry god know what would have happened to my hand if i wasn't aware of how aggressive they were. That woman is gonna get someone hurt eventually.
I been bit once by my baby brb. My fault. For some reason i've noticed with my snakes that they are very nervous inside their cages when objects enter it, whatever it may be. But once i get them out and have them in my hands they are calm and comfortable. I guess they just see something coming at them and freak cause they dont know what it is, esp. when they are babies.
Question, what does those abbreviations stand for... BCI JCP or whatever. I'm still not familiar with all the snakes that are out there.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

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[irishsnakes]

cretia; bci is boa constrictor imperator, jcp is jungle carpet python. feel free to ask questions here. ive found this site to be a great place to learn how much i have to learn. people hear are always willing to help without the condesending attitude i have experienced on other sites

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

[Cretia]

I've never heard of a boa constrictor imperater. They seem to have a pretty feirce bite huh? not a good choice for anyone scared of getting bitten i suppose. I dont even know if i've ever even seen one...? What are they like?