i got bit, what should I do? :/?

Question

i just got a ball python today and when i picked it up it bit me! I don't know if maybe its because it ate today or not.....Im afraid to touch it now.....I don't know how long to wait before I can held him/her without being bit again.....and I don't know if theres anything that will happen to me since I was bit...... is there any serious side affects?

Answer 1

If you just got the snake today, he is probably just stressed out. When you bring home a new snake you should Always leave it alone for a week to let him/her adjust to the new environment. Make sure the cage is in a room where the snake won't be bothered to much. Make sure it is warm, clean and he has fresh water and then leave him alone to adjust for a full 7 days. After 7 days, you can start handling him again. He will be much calmer, but if you are worried, you can either wear garden gloves or even use a small snake hook to break the initial response so he will be less startled.
As far as side effects of the bite... you are probably fine. Make sure you keep it clean and dry, apply some neosporin and just keep an eye on it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Nothing will happen to you. Ball pythons aren't venemous. I have a ball python, and he's bitten me before and I was fine. Just make sure to keep the bite mark really clean, as puncture wounds are a real invitation to infection.

Here are a few tips for you regarding your snake. First of all, you should never handle your snake after it's eaten. They need at least 48 hours to digest, and if you handle during this period you can make the snake regurgitate its meal, which can be quite serious. Secondly, you really shouldn't be handling a snake you just got today. The snake needs several days to settle in to its new home, it bit you because it was frightened.

When it is time to start handling though, don't be afraid to touch the snake. Occasional bites are just part of owning a snake and it certainly shouldn't put you off.

Answer 3

You've got some good answers here, but I will second the one on wearing a pair of light garden gloves. It won't scare the snake at all and it will make you feel calm-if you are calm the snake will be calm. If your hand is shakey and you are anxious, it will just freak out the snake and make it more likely to snap again.

I also second the comment that you should read a little more about ball pythons, they are great pets but you don't seem to know that much about them...and that's ok, you are just beginning.

Remember, all animals live in them moment, and snakes moreso than creatures with a longer memory. Don't let this one incident shake you-the snake has already forgotten it.

Answer 4

When a non-poisonous snake bites you wash the wound thoroughly. Use Betadine if you have some. Don't make sudden moves around a nervous snake, don't try to pick her up if she is shedding as her eyesight will be even worse than usual. Do not tap the glass or let other people bang the glass. Is the snake very young? Maybe wear a light glove until the snake gets use to you. Do NOT handle her food source before handling her, you will smell like dinner. Good luck. Some snakes are snippy and may not be great pets.

Answer 5

Never touch a snake the same day it eats.
Wash your hands thoroughly before handling a snake, to get rid of any scents on your hands.
Keep the bite area clean with soap and alcohol for the next few days. It's rare to get infections from reptiles, but it can happen. If your hand swells, turns red, or develops red streaks under the skin, see a doctor. Otherwise, you'll be fine.
Leave your snake alone until he's done digesting (as in, after he poops). Then wash your hands, and pick him up. He should be fine.

I've kept reptiles for years and been bitten a few times, it's not a big deal.

Answer 6

Just wash the wound with a little peroxide, put a bit of neosporin on it, and put on a band aid. Pythons are non-venomous, so the wound is no more srious than a normal puncture wound. I would recommend leaving the snake alone for a few days, but spend time around the cage. After a few days, put on a pair of clean, light gloves (gardening gloves work great for this), and slowly and carefully try picking him up. Even if he strikes, his teeth shouldn't pentrate the gloves. With a little handling, he'll calm down. Ball pythons are probably the best beginner snake there is.

Answer 7

Ball pythons are usually very docile snakes, it was more than likely stressed as its just been put in new surroundings, if you leave it at least a week to get used to its new home then try again, take it slowly and dont handle after a feed. Once trust is earned they are very nice pets to have. Good luck!

Answer 8

There will be no side effects except the normal effects of a bite since the python has no poison-it kills by constricting and crushing its prey-perhaps you should study the proper way to pick it up , learn it to avoid being bitten again.Seems to me you do not know very much about the pet you bought , its always wise to educate yourself-do a search for pythons and find out. go to www.pythons.org.

Answer 9

Ball pythons are usually pretty friendly but this will probably happen again. just make sure to wash up disinfect it and when you feed it use tongs so it doesn't mistake you for food. snakes see by heat sensing they see your hand is hot so they think it is food. Good Luck.

Answer 10

how new is the snake. All reptiles should be given 2 weeks alone in their cage so they get a sense of their territory before you handle them. don't worry ball pythons are not posionious. they are in the constrictor family.