If a snake bites you will it's teeth fall out? Should this be a concern? Is it dangerous to the animal?

Question

My boyfriend has a Burmese Albino Python that he adores but is afraid to handle it only because of his persistent fear that if it bites him it's teeth will fall out. I want to reassure him that it won't happen but honestly I really dont know if this is true. I absolutely dont want to tell him anything that will jeopardize the snake because he loves her to death. If you know of a solution please share.

Answer 1

I have raised many snakes including large pythons . It is important to handle them at least every other day when young so they get use to you. I have been bitten (my fault ) several times and have never had a snake loose a fang. Try not to pull back if bitten. The snake will realize you are not edible and will release soon after .When picking up the snake do it slowly and support its entire body . Do not make jerking or quick movements . The snake will grow accustom to her scent . I always have a feeding schedule . I feed in the evenings and handling in the mornings . Snakes get use to this and I believe it helps .

Answer 2

They aren't so much as teeth, more of small fangs, which are connected to them (not like teeth, where they come out) Don't worry nothing will happen, just be gentle with the snake and don't get too close to its face.  

Answer 3

This is not a good scenario.  IF the snake becomes ill, and happens to be large, the stress from handling for an injection when it hasn't been can be hard on the snake, and the people giving the injections.

It is best to handle a reptile which can get large, and often.

I helped a friend who does herp. rescue (I do too) but had to drive 2 hr. to help... it was a buttercup burm which had a bad respiratory infection all of 18 ft.

It was a NICE snake who was owned by someone who couldn't afford it, and it ended up in rescue.

We got 10 ft. lengths of 8" PVC tubes, and worked the head into one piece, and the tail into another, and sat on the furious animal, as it thrashed madly, to provided a window of the 6" of injectable hide between the tube he sat on, and the one I did.

He's married, and his wife hates snakes.  I'm engaged and luckier.  But, I had to get a room close, to help twice daily for 10 days (means care for MY critters, while I was doing this)

And this was a "friendly" burm.  Once, it bit him, and once, it got him in coils.  He would have died, had I not been there.

It is a mistake to NOT well handle a snake.  Especially one which gets large.

Yes, the teeth are hooked back, for swallowing.  But, unless he yanks his arm free, he will not damage the snake when it lets go.

If he is not prepared to be bit - he has no business owning it.

The snake will regorw it's teeth, just like a shark.  It will be fine.

This is not a puppy, though it sounds like "puppy love."

IF he is afraid of the reptile - he needs to find it another home.

I don't know if he's being all macho with you?  But having a snake behind glass only happens, usually, when it has fangs and venon to worry about.

The teeth will not fall out and leave the animal helpless and unable to feed, IF it bites him.

Sigh.

I hope this has been of help.

Answer 4

Firstly, you should be handling it so it becomes used to this because the less you handle, the more likely it is to bite anyway. You should also be able to read your snakes mood, and know how to avoid being bitten in the first place.

Teeth ( one or two is the most ive heard of, theres no way all of its teeth will come out ) can become lodged in the hand / arm if you pull away as the snake bites you. As long as you remain calm and wait for the snake to let go by itself, this should not happen and no damage will be done.

They certainly wont just ' fall ' out, so don't worry about that. I suggest you tell your boyfriend to do his research.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I have been bitten my many snakes, including a 10 foot albino Burmese python, and I have never had any teeth in my hand. Even if some did fall out, they grow back, and with Burms having at least 100 teeth, there would be no problems to the snake. Honestly, I think he might just be scared of the snake and is using that as an excuse for why he doesn't handle it.