I got Bitten!

It's been a LONG time since I've had this kind of mishap, and honestly, it was my fault.

It's been a few weeks since my rodent provider has had mediums, so I have been feeding the adults rather small meals, and I only get a delivery every week. 

One small rodent a week for some is not enough.

So last night, I finally got some mediums, went thru the adult rack holding medium live rats by the tail. 

I had a rat in one hand, and was opening the tub with the other. Apparently, my hand was more appealing than a medium white and black rat.

 

The snake flew out of the tub, mouth agape. 

Imagine my hand, thumb and pointer finger holding the tail of a rat, facing this mouth.

I couldn't move fast enough. 

She got my hand right at the meat, and started to STRANGLE MY HAND.

Anyway, she would not let go. 

This is a FULL GROWN ADULT female Ball Python, granted a bit skinny from laying eggs, but still. She enveloped my entire hand, and did not let go.

At first, I grabbed the Chlorhexidine and sprayed her face. I heard that Alcohol does the trick, and that was as close as I had at the moment. It didn't work. And no, Alcohol is not Chlorhexidine or vice versa.

But at the time, it seemed like a good idea.

Anyway, I then realized after a few spritzes that it wasn't working, so I walked to the sink, turned on the water, and put her face under it.

It took a good 30 seconds for her to let go, even under a constant flow of water.

She let go, I put her back in the tub and fed her immediately, and she subsequently ate two medium rats.

My hand has the marks to prove it, but it didn't hurt too bad, nor did it bruise or bleed too much.

It does have the mark of a mouth, however.

Cool story for the Office, eh?

This has only happened once before, when I went to rescue a Normal from a home that wasn't feeding their animal properly. Same story, pretty much.

The snake was smaller in that case, and we pried her off with a pencil instead of water (this was over 6 years ago, and at a strangers house). It worked, although the pain was worse in that case due to more manipulation of the jaws on my hand.

And what's funny is, Bitey (the name of the critter who I rescued) is still with me!

Ahh, the good ole days.

So that is my story to lead up to the weekend, my friends.

Be careful, feed well, and love your snakes.

Have a great weekend.




SIDE NOTE: We will be vending at Sacramento on October 29th and 30th. It is my birthday that weekend, and I decided to "work"! Hope to see you there!