![]() ![]() They are constantly being replaced so it always has the ability to bite, but again, its strikes aren’t deadly. Instead of elongated fangs, a boa constrictor has rows of curved teeth that are all the same size. These snakes are not venomous, but their bites are still incredibly painful, so you should seek medical care if you’re attacked by one. The boa constrictor prefers to sun itself in open areas and commonly shed their skin around their nesting site. They may decide to burrow in the dens of medium-sized mammals. However, if these snakes can be kept as pets, you won’t have much to worry about as long as you exercise caution.īoa constrictors are often spotted along rivers and streams or found wrapped around tree branches when they’re out foraging for food. Sealing any openings in structures around your property will also be essential to keeping them out of your hair. Reducing shrubs and trimming grass will reduce their shelters. However, removing food sources like rodents and other small mammals will keep them from coming around. Unless you’re in an environment where boas are common, you probably won’t need to get rid of them. Mating occurs every other year from April until August, with birth occurring five to seven months later. Boa constrictors are nocturnal and will feed at night, hanging from the branches of trees to seek out prey with their heat sensitive scales. As carnivores, boa constrictors mainly feed on small mammals like bats and birds, as well as rats, squirrels, and opossums. It is also possible for these snakes to bite, but their bites are painful not poisonous. Boa constrictors swallow their prey whole. The boa constrictor is non-venomous, instead killing their prey by attacking and suffocating. The boa constrictor can be found in Mexico and throughout Central and South America. Organic Tick & Mosquito Control Program.With proper care and an attentive owner, snake bites are generally an uncommon occurrence. Even happy, satiated snakes can get startled and strike. If you want to avoid being bitten by your pet snake, stay away from keeping the less unpredictable species as pets.īe cognizant of your pet’s mood and circumstances before you put your hand into its tank and never let your guard down. ![]() Alternatively, reticulated pythons and black racer snakes are generally more aggressive and can be more prone to biting when threatened. Species such as corn snakes, ball pythons, rosy boas and California king snakes are usually gentle and make great pets that are not known to bite. Not all snakes make the best pets, and even the best pet snakes can become irritable at times. ![]() If the pet is acting lethargic, hiding excessively, refusing to eat or shows skin color changes (such as looking flushed with a pink hue, which can indicate sepsis), be sure to have it checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible so that any underlying illness may be diagnosed and treated. If the snake is shedding, aid the shedding process by providing the snake with water in which it can soak and mist it daily. If you think it bit you because it is hungry, feed it killed prey by either leaving it in the tank for it to consume or offering it to your snake with a long-handled tweezer. Once your wounds have been addressed, make sure that your snake is replaced and contained safely and securely within its enclosure and that it no way looks ill or injured. Ways to Keep Your Snake from Biting Again Never offer it food directly from your hand.Here are some good rules of thumb to follow to avoid being bitten: Even non-venomous snake bite wounds can become infected with various bacteria, including Salmonella, from the mouths of rodent-eating reptiles, so addressing them immediately is crucial. Be sure to call your doctor immediately to get advice about specific medical treatment. Flush out broken areas of skin with copious amounts of water for several minutes and apply pressure to bleeding wounds to promote clotting. Assuming that the snake isn’t venomous (because if it is, you may need to go to an emergency room for anti-venom treatment within minutes), thoroughly clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap. The first thing you should do if your pet snake bites is to treat yourself or the person your snake has bitten. Learn more about what to do if your pet snake bites you, and how to prevent it from happening again, below. Snakes may also be more irritable and more prone to bite when they are shedding or have an underlying illness and are not feeling well. Starving reptiles may lash out to grab rodent prey and accidently bite a human hand holding the prey. All species can, however, bite unexpectedly if they are startled or excessively hungry. In general, most non-venomous snake species commonly kept as pets are gentle and do not typically bite their owners if they are unprovoked. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice) ![]()
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