Can you honestly say you wouldn't jump back if your snake bit you?

Question

This is more of an observation. My Boa Constrictor has bitten me various times, but this is something that gets me. They say not to jump back when it happens so you won't pull any teeth out, which is easier said than done 'cause I'm 100% reflex, babe.

Answer 1

I use the FORCE when I feed my snakes. I wave my hand in front of them first "You DON'T want to bite me."
Then I go ahead and feed them. It has not failed yet.

Answer 2

It's not necessarily the sensation of pain that initiates the reflex to move. Rather it's the quick movement that startles people. When you've been around an animal, like a snake, long enough to get used to them striking or moving suddenly, then you're less likely to become startled. Also there is a matter of self control. It is instinctive to want to panic, but such instincts can be overridden. The snake strikes, you want to panic and move your arm away, but another part of your mind keeps your arm still because you know that more damage (to yourself with those recurved teeth) will be done if you move quickly.

I have been around animals like snakes, birds, and rodents, all of which can inflict nasty wounds. After a while you become "desensitized" to the sensation of pain (although not extreme pain) and learn to not "overreact" anymore.

So yes, you can force yourself to not jump back when a snake bites you. A little self-control is necessary to do so, though.

Answer 3

I don't jump when my snakes bite me - when you work with snakes on a daily basis you get used to that sort of thing.

If a big snake comes for me I may flinch, but I have never jerked back or pulled my hand away.

It IS possible not to jump back because not everybody does... the books and so on wouldn't tell you do something which is impossible...

Answer 4

It's reflex and instinct that causes you to pull away from the pain.
It's almost impossible 'not' to do it.
Try to remember what you were doing when it bit you and don't do it again.
If you're feeding him in the living enclosure, then try putting him in the bathtub where you have a little more room to get your hand out of the way before he strikes. My daughter and son in law feed their snake in the tub and haven't gotten bit... yet.

Answer 5

we have a 10 foot burmese python she bit me about 6 or seven months ago at the time she was proably about 7 feet. when she bit me instead of jerking back i bowed in so i would not hurt her... dont get me wrong i was screamin to my bf to take her off but was tryin not to hurt her cuz her biting me was my carlessness. i think hse may have hit a never or a blood vessel cuz i had a bubble the size of a golf ball on my arm that took a few days to go down and couldnt use my wrist for weeks... i just learned to be more carefull.

Answer 6

The only time I move my hand/arm at all is when I'm dealing with hot snakes. The others don't bring much of a reaction & if you don't move too quickly, they sometimes won't even react to you in their domain. I constantly watch my timber rattler because she has a bad habit of striking without coiling.

Answer 7

I never jumped back when my snake bit me. it comes down to knowing that he is going to do it and getting more used to it. it sounds impossible but i did it with my snake and a couple of lizards.

Answer 8

course you would jump lol. My boa bit me once, I startled her, it was very quick though felt like a pin prick, I didn't have time to jump back she jumped back nearly as quickly as she bit me and was fine afterwards.

Answer 9

ok babe,my son would but I ain`t afraid of snakes, I don`t have one but i ain`t afraid of em, depends on the person, just don`t let that sucker get around your neck

Answer 10

If they do not want to chance losing teeth then they should not use them in the first place.