Wiggles, the Children's Python

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I screamed like a little girl. My son was standing right next to me. Soooo embarrassing. Just three pin pricks at the base of my index finger. Shaving nicks hurt more.

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So much for setting a good example & not scaring your son...:rofl: Yeah, those tiny teeth DO hurt. That's why it's better to "communicate" & pay attention to what your snake is thinking.

Another thing you can do- if you need to reach in to change the water or do a spot clean & see your snake "stalking you"- use your other hand with a large piece of cardboard to just block their way- they don't usually fight their way around it, they just take the hint. If they're in their hide, block the doorway before they come out. See? You don't need to be a pin-cushion to keep snakes- nothing to prove here. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So much for setting a good example & not scaring your son...:rofl: Yeah, those tiny teeth DO hurt. That's why it's better to "communicate" & pay attention to what your snake is thinking.

Another thing you can do- if you need to reach in to change the water or do a spot clean & see your snake "stalking you"- use your other hand with a large piece of cardboard to just block their way- they don't usually fight their way around it, they just take the hint. If they're in their hide, block the doorway before they come out. See? You don't need to be a pin-cushion to keep snakes- nothing to prove here. ;)

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I just need to learn to read Wiggles better. When he's obviously hungry, I'll need to take additional steps, like the ones you've suggested, to avoid taking bites. Two years with a fully mature BP, didn't prepare me well for avoiding bites.

I think the bite also indicates that Wiggles has settled in and he's more comfortable with his new environment. His previous owner warned me that he sometimes mistakes fingers for food. Until now though, I haven't seen that. Generally, I haven't seen the food aggression for which Children's Pythons are famous. So, I'll take the bite as a positive sign that Wiggles feels safe and secure enough to let his personality show.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I just need to learn to read Wiggles better. When he's obviously hungry, I'll need to take additional steps, like the ones you've suggested, to avoid taking bites. Two years with a fully mature BP, didn't prepare me well for avoiding bites.

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BPs aren't the most "outgoing" snakes, that's for sure. Aussie pythons, on the other hand...:snake: They may be little, but they don't seem to know that. Sorta like Chihuahuas. :D

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So much for setting a good example & not scaring your son...:rofl:

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I did show him the bite after I'd washed it and explained that my cry was more from surprise than pain.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

BPs aren't the most "outgoing" snakes, that's for sure. Aussie pythons, on the other hand...:snake: They may be little, but they don't seem to know that. Sorta like Chihuahuas. :D

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With my BP, I would warm the rat with a hair dryer and make it dance the mambo, and still rarely got a strike. So, the strong food drive of the Children's Python is going to take a little getting used to.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I did show him the bite after I'd washed it and explained that my cry was more from surprise than pain.

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Good save...;) I hope this snake isn't one of the "stubborn ones" that keep trying to eat hands, as that won't be much fun. You might be taking some more bites- the previous owner probably just quit trying to handle him so the snake never learned to distinguish.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

...His previous owner warned me that he sometimes mistakes fingers for food...

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Originally Posted by Homebody

With my BP, I would warm the rat with a hair dryer and make it dance the mambo, and still rarely got a strike. So, the strong food drive of the Children's Python is going to take a little getting used to.

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It really depends on the BP- they have their own personality, but I agree, most of them have far less food drive. They're "introverts"-:D

I've never needed to warm the prey for my Spotted python- that should tell you something. Aussie pythons- "extroverts"! :cool:

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I think the bite also indicates that Wiggles has settled in and he's more comfortable with his new environment. His previous owner warned me that he sometimes mistakes fingers for food. Until now though, I haven't seen that. Generally, I haven't seen the food aggression for which Children's Pythons are famous. So, I'll take the bite as a positive sign that Wiggles feels safe and secure enough to let his personality show.

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What it tells me is that he needs more "socialization". ;) He knows how to be a snake, but not how to be your pet. He can do both, trust me.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

What it tells me is that he needs more "socialization". ;) He knows how to be a snake, but not how to be your pet. He can do both, trust me.

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That's good to hear because "socialization" is one of my favorite things to do. I spend some time with him almost every night. Usually, we play sniff and retreat. Sometimes, we crawl around the living room. I don't handle him much, but my kids do during his weekly enclosure cleanings. I'm confident that, in time, we'll learn to avoid this type of misunderstanding. If not, well, I've got gloves.