Retic Bite

[Hustler]

ooh man that looks bad but as for the staples, I think I'd rather be bitten than stapled. Man for you to still be relaxed enough to take a photo and have them come out like that all I have to say is amazing, I'd be screaming running around all over the place grabbing anything to make the pain seem less

[Boadicea]

Hmmm...very thought provoking viewing. I could never have been stapled without anaesthetic though. That is just cruel !!! I have some retics of my own that I am very careful of. My tigers are gorgeous but dangerous around feeding time. When I open the door of their viv they start coming out with that predatory look in their eyes and I have often wondered what it would be like if they miss the food item and get me instead. Now I know thanks to your pics.
I have had this happen to me with a Burmese python before - fortunately only about 1.8 metres long. Got bitten on the hand. It hurts like hell when they throw coils around their jaws to tighten their grip. The recurved teeth are like razor blades and I wasn't going to try pulling away. I did manage to unwrap her coils from around her jaws though. Then just waited for her to realise I wasn't food. Took a good few painful minutes and rivulets of blood were dripping off my hand by then - nice mess on the floor to clean up afterwards but no stitches necessary . I really love my big guys though. They have a lot of character and each one is different. Thanks for sharing.

[Pit Viper]

The amazing fact about this post is that you do not often hear about a large constrictor bit in order to defend oneself it always happens when it's feeding time and usually the keepers mistake.

It also shows that we as keepers loves ones reptile alot and always thinks that it will not bite one. It also signifies that we as keepers are slacking when it comes to respecting these great animals.


Thanks for sharing

[Snakes4Africa]

I'd still rather get a proper bite from my retic than a nip from a Black Mamba!

[Burmbuddy]

I'd still rather get a proper bite from my retic than a nip from a Black Mamba!

AMEN!

[boing]

I'd rather not get bitten at all...

[Snakes4Africa]

The only way to guarantee that is to not keep snakes!
There are only two types of peolpe who keep snakes... Those have been bitten and those who are going to be bitten.

[Robin228]

Hi

I am working on a new show for Animal Planet about snakes and snake bites. We are interested in the photo you have posted of you bite and the bloody sock.
Would you be interested in giving us permission to use your photo in our show?

Please contact me at
robin.goldstein@2cmedia.com

thank you
Robin

[Constrictor Girl]

@ Snakes4africa your leg is going to be famous!!! whoop whoop!!!

[Marion]

Looks really painful. A good reminder for us all to be careful and keep alert!! I was bitten by my beardie - also my own stupid fault - I was holding a cricket at the time and he took both the cricket and my finger!! It felt like I had slammed a door shut on my finger, so I can imagine how painful a retic's bite can be.

It was also a case of mistaken identity and I'm not sure who got the bigger fright - me or the beardie!! When he realised he had my finger he let go immediately and strangely enough it seemed like he was always more careful when I hand fed him after that. He was always as gentle as a lamb and loved being handled by anyone and everyone. I lost him a while ago and miss the old man, but my finger will always remember him.

Marion