Why do pet snakes (and some undomesticated ones) tolerate being held, without biting? I know boa constrictors and ball pythons aren't poisonous to humans (at least I think I do . . . If this is wrong, please correct me - I'm interested in knowing), but I'm not refering to a deadly bite here, just "Hey, put me down!" I'd also be interested in knowing if venomous snakes have an "option" to inject venom or not when they bite? No real reason, just interested. Thanks.
2006-10-24 21:22:33 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Snakes bite when they feel threatened. (we're talking aggression bites here, not feeding bites) While a snake is only marginally smarter than an equal length of rope, they do learn which things in their environment are threatening and which aren't. Once they learn that you're not a threat to them, they don't bite. Well, most snakes, anyway. Some are just little fiends. *remembers a particular yellow rat snake* Also, certain predator-like actions, such as reaching for a snake from above, push the "threat" button and are likely to get you bitten if the snake is prone to that sort of thing. My baby Everglades rat snake will nail me if I reach into her cage, but if I let her crawl out onto my hand, she's fine. And yes, they do remember what you smell like. My snakes are much calmer with me than they are with other people. They have me filed away in their wee little brains as "warm tree that moves".
As for wild snakes ... it's really a matter of acting non-threatening, and also the species of snake. I can catch a wild black rat snake and have it crawl across my arms, wrap around my neck like a pet snake, etc., but it's all in the way I move (slowly, never reaching toward the snake's head, etc.) and in the species of snake -- black rat snakes generally being very docile. I couldn't get away with the same thing with, say, a northern water snake. They're too aggressive when first caught.
And you're correct, boas and pythons are not venomous. They're constrictors -- they squeeze. When they're feeding, they only bite their prey to hold it in place until they can get a couple of coils around it.
Yes, venomous snakes do have an option to "dry bite" if and when they choose. Many of their defensive bites are dry, possibly because it's better for the snake not to waste venom it might need for hunting.
2006-10-24 21:32:42 · answer #1 · answered by Newton K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. As for boas (pythons and anacondas are included in this category), they are non-venomous. They kill their prey by constriction. Snakes won't bite if they are handled with a certain technique. I don't know exactly, but you have to raise them lightly and keep massaging them gently. Anything goes wrong and BANG! Even snakes, which appear lazy can strike at lighning speeds(as fast as 0.25 seconds). They usually avoid humans and all other big creatures, which can't be their prey. As for dry bites (bites without injection of venom), only some snakes are capable of doing that, especially the vipers and the cobras. They give a dry bite to frighten away humans and other big animals.
I haven't been thorough, but I recommend you go to www.wikipedia.org. Just type the species you want to know about in the search box and you will get almost everything you want. Good Luck!
By the way, you are not planning to pet a snake, are you?
2006-10-24 21:37:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because pet snakes are accustomed to humans. My snakes recognise me and know I'm not going to hurt them; they don't feel threatened by my prescence, and that's why they don't bite me. A snake would much rather escape than bite; a bite is a last resort.
Boas and pythons (known collectively as boids) are not venemous (which is the correct term, not 'poisonous.') Venemous snakes CAN choose to 'dry bite', but it's not terribly common.
By the way, anacondas ARE boa constrictors, and pythons are not boas ;-)
2006-10-24 22:13:17 · answer #3 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, constrictors aren't poisonous and yes venomous snakes do have the option to inject venom just like we have the option to spit or not, and snakes bite when they feel threatened that ur goin to kill them. email me at jefffrickman@yahoo.com if u love wildlife
2006-10-25 00:40:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are scared to be handle cause they think u cause a threat to them
they don't under stand just think if u were them how would u fell
2006-10-25 12:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by animalhouser55 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋