if a snake bites you how do you get him off without a gun or a knife its a 12 Boa?

Answer 1

This is a serious question but I am sitting here grinning ear to ear. I like the only two reasons a snakes bites, defense and food. I always thought they bit out of love, hehe. I joke.

Ok, seriously, I have two very large constrictors both currently at their 3 day spa moisturizing. (That is what I call it when they spend a couple of days soaking before a shed.) I have a male that is between 7 and 8 feet and a female that is right at 12, but that was last summer when we measured them both and about half a dozen sheds ago.

I have a rather large enclosure for them 6 foot long, 6 foot high and 3 foot deep with very thick Plexiglas doors with a Brinks padlock to keep people out not them inside. I trust my snakes more than I trust my son’s friends or my buddies that think they are cool.

Te lock has never been removed without another person being in the same room with me, ever. If I have an emergency I give the neighbor a call and he comes over and stands by to give a hand just in case. While they are both great reptiles they are still animals and can do anything. I only feed them in large Rubbermaid totes, never in their enclosure and we take them out several times a week. I only feed them once every 2-3 weeks and we alter the feeding day by about 3 days each time so they do not get into a schedule.

I have yet to have one bite me once they are through puberty and grown into adulthood. As juveniles they can be nippy but they learn. If the snake is new to you and it is that large, and you question something like this, you shouldn't have this large a snake yet. I think you should find someone else to take it that has more experience. I know it is a fun pet but it would be much safer for you and healthier for the snake. You will be more comfortable with a snake that you have known as it has grown.

If you are asking just because you are curious, then following what a couple of others have said is right on. Cool water, trying to pry its mouth open is hard to do without damaging it, but sticking the thing in cool water works great. Heck, if it has you in a tight spot, jump in the darn shower and blast that cold water, he will shrivel up like a... a... like you will when the water hits you.

Answer 2

I assume that this is a hypothetical question.

First, if you have a 12 foot boa, you should have enough knowledge to care and maintain it.. and know how to remove body parts from the mouth.
There are two (2) reasons for a snake to bite.
1. defense
2. food
In the case of the first, you did something wrong to anger the snake (being in the cage can do it). The snake will let go in a second or two.

In the case of the second, you did not use enough caution while feeding. This can become serious in a hurry, especially with a large constrictor. They bite, set the teeth and wrap, and with a 12 foot snake, can be fatal.

HELP IS REQUIRED !!!!!!!!!!!!
NEVER work a large snake alone.

Instructions: try to keep the coils on a non vital part of the body (leg if possible, so you can breathe)
Call for help.. This may not make sense but the "victim" has been bitten, bleeding and usually attached by the snake to some stationary object (cage or table) and reaching a card or some other tool to remove teeth from the body is inconvieniently out of reach.
If you are fortunate enough to have such a tool handy, while fending off coils, slip the card, knife or other stout flat object into the snakes mouth and try to remove the teeth from the flesh (this is not an easy trick, the snake is still thinking dinner and will continue to attempt to smother you while you work at freedom).
With help, you have the option of having the friend look for the tool to remove the snake teeth from your body parts and also try to keep the coils from suffocating you and unwinding the snake tail first as well..

Answer 3

Depending on where on the body you are bitten, you can immerse the snake's body (but not the head!) in cool water. This will encourage the snake to let go so they can go away and get warm.

Do not use a gun, or a knife! That could hurt the bitten person!

Try not to squeeze the head or jaw, you can seriously hurt the snake by doing that. Don't pull back (I know that one is really hard!), but if you pull back, you hurt yourself and the snake actually gets a better grip.

Answer 4

I usually grab a card or something along those lines and push it under the top jaw. That gets the teeth from the top jaw out thus you can pry the mouth open slightly. Then pull the snakes head towards you *or your hand arm whatever* to the back of the mouth. There teeth are pointed towards the back of the mouth so it makes sence. After getting the teeth out you can get your hand outta the mouth. No need to hurt it. I hear alcohal works quite well too... or any bitter tasteing liquid.

Answer 5

well lordy i hope the snake is not still attached to you! Boas i think have back ward curved teeth, so if he is hooked to you, do not pull him off, this will lacerate you. you need to push down on his head, and push is face forwards at the same time, this may be very pain ful to you, but doenst harm the snake. im shure he didnt mean to bite you on purpose. then i would see my doctor, reptile bites that break the skin can get very nasty if not cleaned throughly. i would clean it out with soap and water, then use some witch hazel. it is a astringent, and not as harsh as acholol which will dry out the bite, and you dont want that. then apply some trible antibiotic oitment, and bandage it up. clean it out twice a day, like in the morning and at night, for a week, then it should be ok. also make shure you have your teatnus shot, up to date. Good Luck

Answer 6

ok i had this happen to me before and the way i got the boa to let go was i submerged her under water and she let go. with the water they have to breath so she had to take a breath and she let go. please don't hurt her. try that it may work. or the other thing that you can do is to get a utensil(like a spoon) and put it in the corner of the mouth and lift up on it to open the mouth alittle. the worse thing to do is to pull away from it because you will end up with alot of bite marks and doing that it will hurt for days. i did that same thing and my hand looked like i had spagetti noodles on my hand, pulling away is the worse thing to do. good luck and i hope that you don't get bitten.

Answer 7

its a 12 foot boa that would be a moster boa most dont get that big, dump hot water on its body worked when the 11 foot burmese constricted my knee

Answer 8

using a free hand , apply pressure on both sides of the snakes jaw. then 1 of 2 things will happen.....1 the snake will let go. 2 the snake will dislocate its own jaw in order to get a better grip on you....if 2 occurs you may remove your hand or whatever part that is bitten.

Answer 9

You have to grab it as close to its jaw area as you can like right behind its head, and apply pressure until it lets go.. it wont hurt it thats also how you avoid getting bit when trying to handle them hold as close to thier head as you can so they cant swing thier mouth around to bite you. I have never seen a boa who bit anyone either they are usually too calm.

Answer 10

Don't hurt him. It is after all only the snakes nature. If you are that worried about it I would find a home that would be equipped for those kind of problems. Good luck.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Boaconstrictor.cfm