The ball python has become a popular pet around the globe and that is why more and more people are keeping them as pets. The ball python is usually a calm animal but sometimes due to some reasons, it can bite you. You need to understand your ball python why is it behaving in such a manner and what can you do to calm them.
We will discuss everything regarding the ball python bite, its causes and treatment and how badly do they hurt. So that you can be aware of this situation and prevent the ball python’s biting in the first place so that nothing worst can happen further.
For this reason, you need to understand your ball python and know everything about the bite caused by the ball pythons.
Also, be aware of how to prevent this situation to occur and also what to do if the ball python actually bites you. You need to be prepared for any situation when you are having a pet.
Contents
Why does a ball python bite you?
There are various reasons behind why a ball python bites you and you need understand that first so that you can prevent the situation of biting. The reasons that make the ball python bite you are as follows:-
By mistake
The ball python can bite you by mistake as they might think and treat your hand as food when they are hungry. So be careful while feeding them with food. In excitement, they can even bite your finger or hand. So it is advised that feed the food to the ball python with the help of a tong as it can prevent the ball python from biting you.
Improper handling
When you do not handle your ball python properly and also you are handling them more than required then as a defence mechanism they will attack you and will bite you. Also, they do not like to be handled when they are too young they love to left alone and want their own space and before handling the ball pythons you need to take a proper guide on how to handle or pick them up.
Trust is not built
When the ball python is young or they are new to the environment at that time they do not want anyone closer to them and they will attack anyone who tries to get closer to them. Even their owner will bite them too. The reason being that they will take you as a threat as there is no trust built between you two.
They will not be able to able to trust you and also that will be the reason they will attack you and they will see you as a threat to them, as they are not used to their new environment and is also not much familiar to you.
Stress
When your ball python is stressed and they are not happy inside the enclosure or the enclosure is too small or too large then the ball pythons may become fussy and will also try to attack you and in this process, they will bite you. There could be many reasons for their stress like they are having some sort of disease or they are not well. They are not eating properly and they are stressed from everything around and that is why they will try to bite you.
Fragrances
It is always recommended that you should always wash your hands before holding your ball python as the various perfumes and colognes will trigger the ball python and they will see you as their prey and because of this they will try to bite you. So wash your hands properly while dealing with your ball python.
Ball python is not well
When your ball python is not well and they are going through some sort of infection or they are having some disease then also they will attack you and bite you. At this time you can observe them and treat them properly and if they are not getting well then it is recommended to take them to the vet and treat them.
These are some of the causes why the ball python will bite you and one should be aware of these causes so that they can prevent this situation of biting from the ball python.
This can be only possible if you know the cause behind the bite of the ball python and you need to be careful with them and do not take these causes likely.
Are ball pythons venomous?
As we know that the venomous snakes are known to inject venom into their preys through their fangs. But the ball python is not at all venomous and also they do not have fangs present in their mouth. So you can relax that your pet ball python will not inject any venom into you even if they will bite you or will try to attack you.
You do not have to worry about this but still do not be careless with the snake bites and do treat them properly as even they do not have fangs but they do have teeth which have bacteria and that can cause infection to you in they will bite you. But do not be careless and do not take this bite likely you need to treat it properly.
Does a ball python bite hurt?
As we know ball pythons are not venomous and that is the reason they are kept as pets. They do not have fangs but they have around 100 inward-facing teeth that mean they have four rows on top and 2 rows of teeth on the bottom side. When the teeth of the snake will touch your skin it will definitely hurt as the teeth will puncture, bruise or even scratch your skin.
The bite will hurt a bit but the pain will not be too much it will be mild and you will be able to tolerate it. But still do not be careless with the ball python even if it does not hurt but will definitely cause some sort of a pain to you. As said by many owners of the ball python everyone says that the bite will not hurt so badly but still you need to be careful.
So you even need treatment for the minor bite also if you want there should not be any infection. The ball python even does not have fangs that help the snakes to inject venom into the bodies of their prey or enemies, so these snakes are generally considered harmless and non-venomous.
When ball python gets latched on to you?
The ball python sometimes latches on to its owners in some cases and you need to stay calm so that your snake is not able to sense the fear. If they will sense any kind of fear the defence mechanism of the ball python will be triggered and they will try to attack you and this lead to biting. This is the natural behavior of the ball python to wrap themselves around their prey.
You can give time to your ball python so that they can understand that you are not the prey and they will release you. In latching the ball python will wrap its body around the arm of its owner. You do not panic and they will release you from their grip. If not then you can pour cold water or alcohol over the bite area. This will help you get released from the grip of the latched ball python.
Otherwise, they will attack you if they will latch on to you for a very long time. The ball python will start biting you but do not panic in such situations because they will even tighten their grip which will be even painful for you too.
Doctor should be visited
Even if the ball python is non-venomous but still you should visit a doctor if they bite you. But in some cases if it is not possible then you can just take basic precautions only in not much injury is caused.
But if you observe infection, redness and even pain are there for a long time then definitely you should visit a doctor. Even if there is inflammation, pus and symptoms like fever, weakness, night sweats, etc. you should immediately visit a doctor so that proper treatment is given to you and no further problems have occurred.
In case there is a severe injury and you cannot sense anything around the bite that also you should immediately visit a doctor and do not be careless in such cases, otherwise, you will have lots of issues in future. It is recommended to visit a doctor in every case related to a snake biting so be careful while you are being around with your ball python.
What is the treatment for the bite?
As we know that the ball python is not a venomous snake but still we need to treat the bite so that there is no space for infection. The bite has to be treated depending upon how badly you have been bit by the ball python. It is recommended to see a doctor irrespective of the fact how small or less paining the bite is, to take care of the bite properly you should visit a doctor. The reason is though the snake is not venomous still its mouth, its teeth do contain bacteria. So you may need antibiotics to prevent the infections caused by the bacteria.
If you are bit badly and the bleeding is coming out from the bit area then you should directly go and wash the bitten area with water and the antiseptic soap, so that the bacteria are washed off properly and also you will be able to clean the blood.
Also, it is advised the water that you will use for washing the wound should be warm as it will help in the proper cleaning of the wound. You should also apply pressure so that the bleeding can stop and clotting occurs in order to stop the excessive bleeding.
When you are sure that the bleeding has stopped you can now apply the bandage or can wrap it with some clean cloth so that no infection occurs on the wound and do observe the wound regularly until it has healed properly in order to check whether any sort of infection is occurring or not.
If the bite is not so deep and it is a minor one then you can wash it immediately and also apply some antiseptic cream so that the wound heals up soon. Also, the antiseptic cream will also help in preventing any sort of infection in the wounded area.
In some cases, you can also get bad or severs bites and that usually occurs when the ball python latches on you. In this case, it is recommended to wash the wound properly. Go as soon as possible to seek medical help so that no problem occurs later.
Even if you want to seek any sort of medical help in a minor bite also it is a great idea as that is the best treatment that you can give to the bite caused by the ball python. Also, do wash the bitten area fast with antiseptic soap and warm water as this is the first aid in this case. So be careful while treating the wound caused by the biting of the ball python and also do not take these bites likely. Treat them as soon as possible so that you do not have to face any sort of problem in the future.
How you can prevent the biting of a ball python?
You can use various methods in order to avoid getting bitten by the ball python. Most importantly for this, you need to understand your ball python properly then only you will be able to prevent yourself from getting bitten by the ball python. Here are a few ways by which you can the biting of ball python:-
Feed regularly
You should not keep your ball python hungry and make sure that you feed the snake regularly. If they are feeling hungry they are not in good mood and they will quite aggressive with their behaviour. So do not handle them when they are hungry they will try to attack you. So be careful and maintain a proper feeding schedule for them so that you do not forget to feed them. As they can attack you when they are hungry.
Use tongs
While feeding the ball python do not directly use the hand for feeding them or putting the food inside their tank as they can even bite your fingers in excitement or due to the feeling of hunger. They will recognise as their prey and will try to attack you so use tongs instead of using your hand as this is the safe way to feed the ball python and there will be no chance that the ball python will attack you.
Wash hands
When you are feeding and handling the ball python make sure that you wash your hands properly so that the scent of the prey is washed off from your body completely and also there should not be any sort of artificial fragrances that may trigger them and they might attack and in this process they bite will bite you. That is the reason you should wash your hands before feeding and handling the ball python.
Shedding
When your snake is going through the process of shedding the best thing is to avoid handling them as they become quite fussy and aggressive at this time and they want to stay alone. They do not want any sort of disturbance during this time.
So do not try to handle your ball python when they are shedding because they may try to attack you at this time and you can get a bite from your ball python. So be careful and observe them and do not disturb them at this time.
Proper handling
Handle your ball python properly and do know the best ways to handle a ball python before trying to handle them, as this will help you a lot and you will not get hurt. Try to handle your ball python regularly so that they get used to you and also it will help in building a bond between you two.
Also, they will be aware of your touch and also be used to the body scent. They will not see you as prey and will be comfortable when you will try to handle them and they will not try to bite you as they will not see you as a threat to them. The main thing is to do proper handling and develop a bond with them.
Be calm
Do not panic when you are with the ball python or you are trying to handle them. Just be calm otherwise they will try to attack you and bite you if you will panic and will treat you as a threat to them. Due to this their defence mechanism will trigger and they will try to bite you. So be as calm as possible with them as they can easily sense your feelings.
Build a bonding
The best thing that will help in avoiding the biting of the ball python is that you can build a bonding with them. For that, you have to first understand them and then try to build a bonding with them.
You should provide them with everything they want i.e. all the basic needs of the ball python should be fulfilled and also you should be sensitive to their feelings and understand what they are trying to convey to you. When you will understand them, they will also try to understand you and in return, the ball python will not bite you and will enjoy your presence.
Understanding signs
The ball python will start showing you various signs in which they do not want you to handle them like when they are shedding, when they are ill, when they are not eating anything, etc.
You should be able to understand these signs and leave your ball python alone for some time as they can be very dangerous and aggressive at this time. They can attack you and try biting you. So to prevent this you need to avoid handling the ball python is such a situation.
Keeping in mind all the above-mentioned ways in which you can avoid the biting of the ball python will help you in the long run. As you will be able to observe the ball python properly and you would avoid such dangerous situations in which you can get hurt.
So be careful with your ball python and try your best to understand them and build a bond with them so that they are comfortable around you or in your presence and do not try to attack you by trying to bite you.
Conclusion
The ball python is a calm animal but also becomes aggressive in certain cases if you will not take proper care of your ball python. The ball python needs your care and attention and they will not bite you.
The ball python’s bite is rare and they are not too dangerous but still needs treatment so that they do not attack you or bite you. Do follow the guidelines properly so that you know what to do when the ball python bites you.
All the proper guidelines are given in this article and they are quite easy to follow. You can enjoy the bond with your ball python and try to understand them.
They will live a happy, satisfied and comfortable life if you will provide them with all the basic things that they need and also you should shower them with your love and care.
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