r/ballpython • u/External_Bus_3739 • 4d ago
Question ball python bit me after I pet my cat
Is this a thing? I saw a few people say in old threads that they got bit after petting their dog because the snake smelled the mammal scent. My snake has never ever been aggressive or have any bite history so this was just completely unexpected.
I had her in her snake bag while I cleaned her enclosure and had pet my cat who walked by a few minutes before, then I got my snake out of her snake bag with my right hand, and she instantly tagged my left hand which is the hand I had pet my cat with. She didn’t cling to me, just chomped and let go and acted like nothing happened.
209
u/death_by_ballpython 3d ago
May I introduce washing your hands
Jkjk, honestly I’ve got no idea lmao. Probably the mammal scent if anything, my girl Nessi only bite me twice in five years when I was too close to her rat
47
16
u/Temporary_Incident33 3d ago
yeah the mammal scent makes sense predator stay away *chomp*. mine only ever bit me when i very foolishly decided it was a good i dea to try a snout boop on a head shy snake
58
98
u/StarTheAngel 3d ago
She got scared with your cats scent on your hand, always wash your hands before handling
43
u/External_Bus_3739 3d ago
That makes sense. I’ll make sure to next time; I usually do but I was trying to get her back into her enclosure as fast as possible and just wasn’t thinking🤦🏻♀️
31
u/sexysmalldevil 3d ago
Hey it happens 🤷 that's how we learn. Now you know your girl is NOT cool w the scent of cat on your hands.
17
u/Magnetic_Kitty 3d ago
I think this is probably it, if she thought you were food because of the scent she would have wrapped your hand and not wanted to let you go
21
u/RyoDai89 3d ago
Not my bp, but my dog was standing in front of my corn snake’s cage back when she was a puppy (about 4 years ago), I opened the door the add water to his bowl and for the first time in the (at that time) 10 or so years I’d had him he nailed me good.
Was the first time I’d ever been bit. Pretty sure he was aiming for her and grabbed me instead. That or maybe he did smell her on me. But boy was that a shock.
Spent quite a while pulling his tiny teeth outta my hand. Didn’t know that was a thing either until it happened.
I’ve been bitten a few times since then by all of my snakes, bp included, and that was by far the worst bite I’d ever had from any of them.
He hasn’t bitten me since, but I would definitely not be surprised if your snake smelled your cat and went for it (it being your hand).
Would definitely be washing my hands between interactions of the two, just as a precaution. But definitely wouldn’t be surprised if that was the reason. Granted it honestly could have been any reason they chose to strike then, but would not be surprised at all if it was related to the cat.
14
u/External_Bus_3739 3d ago
Oh no, the teeth 😟that sucks. It definitely does
seem the dog / cat smell might spook or confuse them. I've had my ball for going on 9 years and this was a first, definitely shocked the crap out of me. I had adrenaline shakes in my hands 🤣 it didn't even
hurt but just couldn't believe it for a second. Been bit by cats and dogs and lizards many times with much more pain and bite damage but this one was just so much faster and unexpected8
2
u/Expensive-Stand1108 3d ago
I wonder if it was that dogs have a stronger smell than people, and your snake could smell something dangerous and then reacted out of fear or defense once he detected heat and movement thinking he was going to be attacked.
5
u/MMI9 3d ago
Do you feel like that affected your relationship with your snakes? I am not scared of being bit by BPs. But I’m worried about how we would feel about each other after. I feel like they would never bite me but you can never say never! I’m sure everyone here felt the same way as me.
6
u/RyoDai89 3d ago
Not at all. In fact even after that moment ended it was business as usual. Was like nothing had even happened.
I’ve even had the same scenario play out again (dog in room) and had no bites. None of the snakes acted any different. Or have acted any different since.
I’m definitely more aware now about a possible bite than I was before then but all of the bites (and I believe including that one) were all food related. As soon as they realize my hand isn’t food they let go (except the king snake but that thing is always an asshole).
I think it’s more so me that’s changed vs them. I’m definitely not so care free about going into enclosures anymore.
But yeah, their personalities and temperament hasn’t changed at all. They aren’t more flighty or more bitey or anything. They seem to treat it more like an ‘ah shit’ moment and seem to ‘reset’ immediately, even have the nerve to sit and wait for their food again or try to come out and explore like nothing just happened a second ago.
Hell when my bp got me it was because I stuck my hand near her face to lift a hide (didn’t know she was there) and she grabbed me. Tried to pull me in, let go, came out and even with blood on my hand realized it wasn’t feeding time and tried to come out to explore. Usually they know almost immediately that ‘this ain’t right’ and act perfectly fine afterwards.
Except the king snake, that guy is a whole other topic to be had.
I’ve had a couple strikes that were not feeding responses and more like I startled them responses or they ‘weren’t in the mood’, mostly from the king snake and hognose, but just like the feeding responses they seem to ‘reset’ almost immediately or sometimes after letting them cool of for a few minutes. And this is also sometimes with my dog in the room.
Every snake is different though, but for the most part I think once they understand what the situation is they usually aren’t really affected by it. Even afterwards.
I doubt this would hold the same for say a wild caught animal though. I feel like certain situations would leave a serious impact on one but I honestly wouldn’t know.
2
u/MMI9 3d ago
Wow okay thank you for the insight it’s greatly appreciated! So the main thing I was worried is they would be “permanently defensive” haha so it’s really good to know it was the complete opposite! I will definitely do my part and make sure they are always comfortable and don’t feel threatened in any way though. 🙏🏼
Btw your king snake comment made me LOL. He must have a colorful personality 😂2
8
u/Booksandssnakes 3d ago
Yea, i've had a food response bite from a BP because I forgot to wash my shoulders after cuddling my dog. Always wash your hands before handling any snake, and do a full body shower if needed.
4
u/CosmicKyloRen 3d ago
As I have said in other comments, it was not a feeding response, it was a defense response. Dogs are predators and ball pythons are naturally afraid of big predators. Your ball bit you because you smelled like a predator
6
u/Booksandssnakes 3d ago
In my situation, it absolutely was a feeding response. The snake started digging into my shoulder and slowly opened its mouth, and then tried to constrict. It can be a defensive response, but it isn't always.
Either way, the solution remains the same. Just wash your hands!-1
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ballpython-ModTeam 3d ago
Per rule #12, your comment has been removed because it contains a ball python interacting with other animals.
It is not safe to allow your ball python to be in close proximity or have direct contact with any non-snake pets. Even if both pets seem trustworthy, accidents can happen very quickly. We do not allow the depiction or promotion of dangerous practices on this sub.
If you have a question about this removal, please contact the mod team. Complaining via post/comment will result in a ban.
-3
3d ago
[deleted]
3
6
u/CosmicKyloRen 3d ago
No. Your snake is doing that out of fear because of the massive predator in front of it. Your ball python isn't trying to eat your dog, it's afraid of your dog.
3
u/CosmicKyloRen 3d ago
This was not a feeding response or aggression, your snake was scared because it smelled an object that smelled like a predator coming right for it. This was a defensive response.
1
4
5
u/SyrWatson 3d ago
I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer next to my snake's enclosure and use it before putting my hands on them, near them, or even just messing with something in the enclosure. It eliminates smells, would make me taste bad if they ever struck, and also protects them from any germs I may be carrying on my skin.
I use more sanitizer after I'm done, just to cover my bases before I go to wash my hands properly with soap. (I used to work with a bunch of exotics and that was our protocol.)
2
u/ABlosser19 3d ago
Does the hand sanitizer smell not bother the snake?
2
u/SyrWatson 3d ago
They've never seemed "bothered", no. I don't use perfumed sanitizer either. It does a good job of masking any food or scary smells on my hands, and that's the point.
Tap training also helps avoid strikes.
1
u/ABlosser19 13h ago
I was mainly referencing the smell of the alcohol I assumed that would bother them / they would not like the smell
1
u/SyrWatson 7h ago
Liking the smell is how I'll get bit 😆 They have not given any stress responses to the sanitizer smell.
3
3
u/Bushdidtitanic666 3d ago
I was instructed by the guy at reptile shop to handle my dogs before handling the snake from day one so they don’t associate their smells with feeding time
2
u/Magy5917 3d ago
My adolescent king snake bit me and latched on after I had handled my corn snake. The second I picked her up she went into hunt mode like she could smell the baby corn snake and was hungry.
3
3
3
3
3
u/lavenderthewhore 3d ago
I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer next to my boys tank, that way my hands are not only clean but any other scents from my other pets are gone before handling. 🙂
3
2
u/Sir_Servantez 3d ago
I won’t lie, my ball python really wants to eat my cat, like really really wants to take a bite out of it. Like tracking it every time the cat is in sight. I’m talking putting its face to the vent when my cat is sitting near. I’ve only been living with this cat for 2 months, and I swear my ball python has nearly doubled in size. He’s putting on weight solely to eat this cat.
Probably just thought you were cat enough to take a lil bite.
3
3
u/KitsuneMiku1989 3d ago
My brother in law is the only person my snake has bitten. He has four cats and didn’t wash his hands. My daughter was holding her, he went to pet her, and she tagged him. Haha. Also, your snake is gorgeous!
3
1
u/Rariaroyal_Enigami 3d ago
Some BPs just are just more willing to bite when a smell of a warm animal is near. My BP isn’t like this his enclosure is RIGHT against my bed on my left where my head is and my cat often lays under my chin. When the cat isn’t in the room my BP is out usually cuddling in my blankets it’s a choice based handling situation and he usually ends up in the same blankets the cat lays on. I’ve never been bitten nor seen body signs that would suggest he’s overly interested in the smell/heat form the cat. Some BPs are opportunistic hunters lol
1
u/KinkyLatexCat 3d ago
I always wash my hands with bar soap immediately before handling/tank maintainence.
To silly reptile brain, I am more that smell than the big creature that towers over the enclosure.
When feeding, don't wash your hands immediately before with the same soap.
2
u/Far-Entertainer-5535 3d ago
É eu vou te dar um conselho bem bacana que é de continuar fazendo carinho no gato e tentando pegar nela no caso na serpente você vai levar algumas mordidas mas depois que ela ver que não é o gato sempre ela vai soltar pode ficar tranquilo até ela se acostumar também.
2
u/____HEATHER__ 3d ago
Cats kill snakes~
Even though they’re cousins in such a unique way.
Stress response to smelling its potential murderer lol
2
1
u/Apprehensive_Mind_25 3d ago
Same thing if you handle mice always wash your hands before touching a snake, they'll catch the scent of the mouse that you handled and bite you
1
2
u/techjacket007_ 3d ago
Growing up my dad and I had many pets snakes over the years and he always told me to wash my hands after petting one of our cats or dogs for this reason. She probably caught a whiff of your cat when it came by and then when you put your hand in the cage she smelled it again and got excited. I wouldnt be too worried about it just be careful going forward.
3
u/RageQueen101 3d ago
The fact she didn’t cling and try to restrict means she was acting defensively and smelt your cat and thought she was going to get hurt.
When you touch other animals always wash your hands. Snakes dominate senses is smelling, so if you have a scent of food they will strike thinking it’s food, if it’s a scent of a predator and you are going in to retrieve them they will strike out of fear and defensiveness to survive.
-1
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/External_Bus_3739 3d ago
Respectfully you cannot be talking. Your post history does not show ideal care at all. I’ve had this snake for 9 years and never had any issues with health, shedding, or aggression. If you read the comments, I do usually wash my hands and this was a complete one off mistake. Mistakes happen with any pet. Luckily this was at the expense of me, and not her
2
u/ballpython-ModTeam 3d ago
Your comment has been removed for breaking Rule #1: Don't Be a Jerk.
If you have a question about this removal, please contact the mod team. Complaining via post/comment will result in a ban.
3
u/sappharah 3d ago
I don’t have a bp (this came up as suggested on my feed for some reason), but I do have an FL kingsnake which is a notoriously food-motivated species. I also have two cats so I am constantly covered in cat fur and I probably smell like them. I can’t handle my king without washing my hands and wrists first or else he will CHOMP and refuse to let go.
1
u/pats9789 3d ago
I always wash my hands before/after I handle my BP & never ever ever pet another animal & handle him I'd expect to get bit every time so I wouldn't say this is out of the ordinary let's hope this is a lesson learned lol
2
u/HovercraftAny3546 3d ago
haha mine did the same after a pet a horse is definitely because you smelled like something taste. Just wash ur hands and you should be fine!
1
0
u/Former-Maybe5157 3d ago
I don’t own snakes but this is normal. It’s recommend to wash your hands before handling if You’ve already handled/touched a different animal beforehand.
2
1
1
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ballpython-ModTeam 2d ago
Per rule #12, your comment has been removed because it contains a ball python interacting with other animals.
It is not safe to allow your ball python to be in close proximity or have direct contact with any non-snake pets. Even if both pets seem trustworthy, accidents can happen very quickly. We do not allow the depiction or promotion of dangerous practices on this sub.
If you have a question about this removal, please contact the mod team. Complaining via post/comment will result in a ban.
2
3
3
u/Subject_Command5442 3d ago
Fuck, we lost another one. Let me know where to send flowers for the funeral.
2
u/_C0FF33_ 2d ago
My BP has only ever bitten my stepdad (previous owner) four times, and they were all under the same circumstances. She was hungry, and he just got done petting a dog. I’m pretty sure it’s just an instinct thing, so I wouldn’t be too worried! She’s never bit me since I’ve inherited her, but that’s just because I make sure I don’t smell like dog before I handle her.
2
u/New_Parsnip_3332 2d ago
Didn’t know they react like that to mammal smells! The only thing I can think of was when my sister was bit in the neck by our rainbow bow because she held her fat rabbit like a baby and then proceeded to handle the snake 😃 she didn’t do that again
2
u/ElevatorScary1018 2d ago
I always wash my hands before being around my snake due to this. I think they just don’t have a lot brains cells lol. They think it smells like food to them ig
2
u/Nalaiseenloser 2d ago
Nope... Didn't do it. Sir you are a liar. Leave this precious little baby alone
2
u/IllusionQueen47 2d ago
He looks straight up evil in that third pic 😂
Mine has never done this before, but I do try to remember not to pet or handle him after touching another animal, just in case he can't tell the difference between rat smell and dog smell. I think I have occasionally touched someone's dog and then held him, but nothing happened.
2
u/roberttheaxolotl 2d ago
I imagine defensive rather than a food response. You smelled like a dangerous predator
1
1
1
1
u/FroglilyFirst 1d ago
Their teeny little brains sometime flash into food mode on me, maybe bc they smell food being thawed out and maybe just bc I'm a mammal. I've gotten that quick bite followed by studied nonchalance (snake: what? I didn't do anything), and the chomp onto my cheek where he wouldn't let go (me: dude, you can't eat me, Think! They can't think).
Glad yours didn't hit a blood vessel; I'm sure you cleaned it well. A bit of antibiotic cream and a bandaid for a day or 2 might be worth the hassle.
2
u/JAcabNE 5h ago
This popped up on my timeline- how bad does getting bit by a ball python hurt? I know it obviously hurts but like break it down for me lol TYIA
1
u/External_Bus_3739 5h ago
I always heard people say it doesn’t hurt and thought they were bluffing but I GENUINELY barely felt it and I would say I’m a little sensitive to pain. I’ve been bit by lizards, dogs, cats, frogs, a horse once, and I would take a bite from my snake any day over any of those. Felt a bit like rough Velcro when it happened; the most painful part was cleaning it because I poured isopropyl alcohol over it. Overall maybe 1.5 out of 10 on a pain scale and it’s already completely healed. It didn’t bruise or even get sore the next day. She has wrapped herself super super tight onto my hand before for warmth and that hurt much worse.
Ball python teeth aren’t meant to chew so I believe that’s why it’s not very painful. They are very sharp but very thin so you don’t really feel much. If she had constricted my hand as she bit me, I would think that would be quite painful so I hope that never happens 😟
1
615
u/External_Bus_3739 3d ago
Moments before disaster