my .02

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Posted by Kestrel on April 18, 2003 at 00:31:34:

In Reply to: JUST GOT BIT !!!! NOW WHAT ?? posted by joemichaelaz on April 16, 2003 at 17:03:47:

I'm not going to repeat what alot of other people have already said, but I will agree with (mostof)them 100%.. You definatly seem WAY too suprised by this, and strike me as the sort of person who only owns this one large snake and hasn't done very much research or looking into what owning this large snake involves.. Or at least not enough.. But hopefully this bite has given you a bit of a lesson. From now on, i'd definatly keep some alcohol on hand, ontop or near the snakes cage, as suggested by the others.. And you say you had this snake around your neck. Thats also generally a very bad idea with a large constrictor of any species.. The best way to carry a large snake is draped over your shoulder, with the head in control, and either someone behind you with the body, or let the snake grasp your waist, under your opposite arm. If the snake had decided to latch onto you arm, get a coil around your neck, and pin your other arm to your body, you'd be dead right now. This is also why having a few people home, with you, while you're handling your animal comes in handy. ;) Rob's suggestion of a sheild is also a VERY good idea. I use a sheet of plywood, or plexiglass myself, and its saved me from many a-bites. So hopefully this has just been a learning experiance for you. Another pointer, NEVER panic when bitten, and especially if it's starting to wrap. And never pull away. Both of these will just make the injury worse. Or even if the snake has wrapped a non-dangerous part of your body, like a hand or an arm, just let the snake be for a few seconds, and they'll usually let go on their own once they figure out that you're not their usual food source. If it doesn't, continues to wrap a potentially dangerous area of the body, or worse starts to swollow, this is when the alcohol comes in handy. But generally they let go on their own, minimal damage done.

And as the others have suggested, please go wash and rinse your snake.. Lysol definatly isn't good for it. ;)

:Damm it hurts.. i'm typing with my left hand shaking like never before.. my 11 foot burm just bit my right forearm for the first time in 7 years.. she just ate 5 !! days ago.. a large rabbit as usuall... i was unable to move and lucky my 4 year old was in the house to help me.. he ran and got a can of lysol and sprayed the snake in the face untill she let go of my forearm.. what now..will the snake be O.k. ?? do i keep her or what ?? will she do this again ?? befoe takeing her out I spray my arm with thie lysol so I dont have any smells on me .. what do I do ??
:dam it hurts so much...

:Joe

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