Do ball pythons bites hurt? Younger ball pythons may be more prone to biting, but even this is unusual. I don’t know, maybe this is sort of a silly question. Asked by Wiki User. I hope this answers your question, and I wish you all the best if and when you decide to bring a ball python into your home. Heat Mat Thermostat Controller. While ball pythons do not typically bite, lunge or act aggressively this does not necessarily mean that they are not willing or able to defend themselves. The simple fact is that there has never been a single documented case of a ball python attacking and killing a human. Top Answer. Humans often feel anxious about the thought of being bitten by a snake. Even so, younger ball pythons are more capable of biting than their adult counterparts. These snakes are not big enough to encircle and constrict a grown human. Luckily, i had a glass of water and when i wet his face he removed his teeth. He's the author of the ball python care guide as well as the horror-thriller novel Purgatory. But can a ball python kill a child or an adult human? A ball python does not usually bite the handler. Does a ball pythons bite hurt? These snakes are not big enough to … Does My Corn Snake Need A Heat Lamp on Its Cage? This is why I suggest handling a few different ball pythons before you choose which one to take home. My advice is to purchase a healthy baby or yearling, so you can shape its behavior as it grows older. But there is a remote chance they could kill an infant or young child — at least theoretically. This kind of aggressive behavior may decrease over time with proper handling, but there is always some risk of an aggressive snake. He was due for a feeding and ge was snifging around in thw air as i was falling asleep. Week after week she became more active than usual and I thought she was hungry. However, they rarely ever attack humans. Ball pythons bite rarely. It’s important to try to identify the cause for why a snake may have bitten, especially when such behaviour happens repeatedly. Your email address will not be published. The best way to avoid bites, is to avoid giving your ball python a reason to bite you. Under very rare circumstances, ball pythons may truly believe a part of your hand is food, and therefore may refuse to release their grasp on your hand. Everyone knows that snake fangs are an impressive sight!. That means they squeeze their prey. Just like every once in a while you’ll come across a person with an extremely sour attitude, every once in a while you may come across a ball python with a terribly vicious personality. Instead, ball pythons are beginner-friendly snake pets that you should never be afraid of. Hello, I enjoyed reading your article. Their bites don't hurt as much as they startle you. Hi, I'm Elise! So we’ve address your first question, can a ball python kill a human? But there are some risks you should know about. I am researching on ball pythons in hope that I will eventually be able to own one. If you're interested, you can check out my other blogs here. Although they are typically calm and don’t show temperament, they can bite while eating or if they feel agitated. In conclusion, ball pythons cannot seriously harm humans. I’ve had Monty over 20 years so imagine my surprise when she became aggressive recently. And good on you for doing your research before getting a new pet! Some ball pythons, for example, don’t like being touched on the top of the head or on the neck, and trying this repeatedly when they are obviously recoiling from your touch may get you bitten. So let’s talk about those. Babies are another story. The reason was that I had always kept her cage very clean but when I had knee replacement surgery I wasn’t able to keep up with her cage and it had become littered with feces and spilled water from her dish had left a corner of her cage damp. Although overall, ball pythons are extremely docile creatures that are rarely ever aggressive, there are a few here and there that have particularly bad temperaments. hace 1 década. Ball pythons are very docile as a species. There are three overarching reasons for a ball python biting or attempting to bite a human: temperament, stress, and mistaking a hand for food. 12 respuestas. If you have recently cooked with with meat, chicken stock, chicken broth, or anything else of that nature, you may still smell like the meat that you handled. do ball pythons bite ? To be more specific, it kind of depends on how you react. Pythons bite first and would attack a human in two ways: 1. But there are some other risks associated with these animals. Balls have very small teeth, and are constrictors. Not much. At least when it comes to human adults and children. my gf is scared to touch him what are the chances of getting bit? At least when it comes to human adults and children . The second reason a ball python may bite is because they’re feeling stressed and are trying to defend themselves, their eggs, or their food. In all honesty a ball pythons bite does not hurt to much. It only bites when the snake feels any king of threat from the person. If a ball python smells the food on your skin, they are very likely to mistaken your hand or arm for food, causing them to strike at you. All Rights Reserved.Writing and photography by Elise Xavier. I can add one other circumstance under which a normally docile ball python might become aggressive. That being said, if it’s your ball python that’s doing the biting, and he or she has never been the vicious type before, it’s safe to say you can rule this cause out. Once a ball python reaches adults age, which can happen within a couple of years, it’s much harder to change its behavior and “personality.” With regular handling, baby ball pythons tend to grow into docile animals. This is why it’s a good idea to use tongs to put the ball python’s food into the enclosure. At least none that I’m aware of. If you’re asking if a ball python can kill a human by constricting, then the answer is no. While a pet ball python might not be able to kill you, it can certainly cause injury with a bite. Individual ball pythons can be aggressive and attempt to bite their owners. I created My Pet Python when I first adopted my pet snake: an adult ball python named Havana. But it’s physically possible for two reasons: (1) An adult ball python is certainly long enough to get around a baby’s neck. I believe you mean to say “and he or she has never been the vicious ( not viscous) type before, its safe to say you can rule this cause out” unless, of course, you are talking about a very thick, syrupy python. Ball pythons, Corn snakes and California kingsnakes are nearly always well behaved. So I commend you on that. Male and Female Average Size. This more likely happens if they are young, inexperienced, and happen to be quite hungry. If the ball python loses a tooth when biting, don’t worry, it’s nothing to be concerned about. The easiest way to do so is by buying one or more of the fixtures discussed earlier, but instead of using a heat lamp bulb, use compact fluorescent bulbs instead. How to Tame Down Aggressive Brazilian Rainbow Boa, How to Handle a Ball Python for the First Time. Their bites are usually the last resort for a snake that feels threatened, whether the human intentionally invades a snake’s space or not. I have two young children in my house, and I want to make sure the ball python cannot harm them. If you keep your ball python’s cage clean, and always wash your hands after handling the snake or the cage, you can virtually eliminate the risk of salmonella and other bacterial infections. – Yes, ball pythons bite. Generally, their meals are small rodents. But there are exceptions to this general “rule.” Some ball pythons are aggressive and will bite their keepers if given the chance. Kaphiovo. The snake belonged to a neighbor. © 2012–2021 My Pet Python. However ball pythons are not malicious and there will always be a reason for a bite. But don’t worry, it is usually not a big deal – especially for those who keep ball pythons. The third reason ball pythons may bite is because they have mistaken a hand for food. Haha! Needless to say, he got dinner and a snack that day…i dont want a hungry snake on my hands…er, feet (wink)! A lot of owners are nervous that their pet snake may eventually bite them. I wanted a place to share all the tips & advice I dug up while I was researching pet care, hoping the research I did could help others along the way. Even so, younger ball pythons are more capable of biting than their adult counterparts. i got a balled python and i just ed it about 4 hours ago can i hold it yet or will it bite at all Unless you really antagonise them. Now let’s get to your question. The site is a compilation of research I dug up: guides on proper ball python care, tips for choosing a pet python, a variety of snake facts, and many other miscellaneous snake-related articles. Learn more about My Pet Python here. Filed Under: Ball Python Pet Care, Choosing Your Pet Python, Environment, Handling, Snake Facts. IT HURT! And, even this is uncommon. But don’t worry, the bites don’t hurt too much! Pain from a ball python bite varies based on the situation and the person being bitten. I cautiously placed her back in her tank and she is now curled up in her log quite content. (2) A baby might be unable to simply remove the snake from its neck, as an older child or an adult would do. But a handful of species do grow large enough to constrict and kill their owners. She no longer curled up in her log but was constantly moving around the tank inspecting the top. Have you ever wondered what you should do if a snake bites you? The bites are nothing that will need emergency attention. Can a ball python kill a human? The Reticulated Pythons is also docile, but due to its size, it is more dangerous. These include the reticulated and Burmese pythons, along with a few other species. The father came into the room and found the snake wrapped around the boy’s ankle, trying to eat his foot. Answer. It’s not a silly question at all. Love reptiles, especially ball pythons - I think they're some of the coolest & most stunning pets around! This is because they are non-venomous, constricting snakes. However, they rarely ever attack humans. Yes, ball pythons can bite. Do ball pythons bite? Most of the time, ball pythons, specifically, are not harmful to humans. In contrast, an adult ball python will only grow to about 3.5 – 4 feet, on average. Reasons for Ball Python Bites. They do not typically attack humans, but will bite and possibly constrict if they feel threatened, or mistake a hand for food. Their bites are thought to be incredibly painful or even deadly. If you’re having difficulty getting a ball python off your hand or finger because it won’t let go, you can place the snake into some cold water, and it will almost immediately release itself. Ball pythons can bite but they don’t usually attack humans. How painful can the bite be? If you yank a Ball Python off of you, it will make the bite much worse and cause you more pain because you’ll likely rip more of your skin off by doing so. 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