Sometimes my python snaps at my hand. When, if ever, should I be concerned about it snapping and seriously going through my skin?
Answers:
You actually have a mean ball python? I have never seen one that actually has a bad disposition. My ball python is five feet long and her teeth are no bigger than than about , as big as that comma. They can't actually penetrate the skin but can leave a set of very small pinpricks. If it does bite, simply disinfect the scratch to avoid infection. There isn't really any real danger from a bite from a ball python and if he does happen to bite usually any snake will just let go as soon as he strikes. Make sure you wash hands thoroughly before handling, sometimes a snake will smell something on your hand and taste you. Most snake bites occur due to carelessness, and unaware that going to the fridge before you handle a snake, lizard, or even a dog will pick up on the aroma left on hands that we are unaware we pick up.
Yes, it will break skin, but they aren't big enough to do any actual damage. Ball Python teeth are pretty small, 1/4 inch at best. Nothing to worry about.
you shouldnt have much to worry about with a ball python teeth arent that bigit may hurt like all get out when hes 5 foot but no real damage should come of it
If it does, you will probably only get like scraped or scratched. It may or may not fully puncture the skin depending on how big he is. Even if he is full grown, it doesnt hurt that bad, mostly stings and wont be that bad of a wound. It mostly might make you jump. Good luck, and hold him more everyday and he should get used to you more. Go behind his head to pick him up, he is going to "strike" if his head is shaped like an S. If your feeding him in the cage, STOP, the best way to do it is take the snake out of its cage and put him in the bathtub then put its food in the bathtub with him, only leave it in the tub with the rat for 20-30 mins. (it needs to be alive, they are predators and like their food alive) then when you go to hold him, he wont associate your hand with dinner time. Its also easier to clean up, and neither the mouse nor the snake can get out of the bathtub. After a while, if you feed him in the bathtub, he wont see your hand or even the cage opening and say hmmmmm dinner time must strike.
take him to your dentist, he can fix that problem.
