My corn snake just bit my dogs nose!

Question

Our 5 year old corn snake has never been agressive towards the dogs so im confused on why she just bit him.He wasnt even doing anything to the snake he was laying on the couch next to the her.

Answer 1

Well first thing first, it doesn't matter how non-aggressive your snake can be, you shouldn't have put it near your dog unless you would like to see more "surprising" result out of that again.

Second, snakes...ALL snakes are very unpredictable no matter how docile it is to children and other pets. It's not something we can fix or train. It is how a snake is.

Third, I would recommend not doing that again just because I don't want to see any of them hurt...most likely the dog would hurt the corn snake but try not to risk it. Just hold her but not near the dog.

I usually hold some of my red tails and pythons around the house with my dog following but I wouldn't dare to risk my dog being hurt because my red tails are much bigger then her(she is a dachshund)

But like I said, lets not try this again. Snakes act on different reasons. Maybe she might be hungry and your dog kinda smell like food or she isn't in her best mood...who knows. But just remember that snakes can be very unpredictable so that will ALWAYS be a risk when owning one.

Hope this could help a little bit!

Answer 2

Your dog probably deserved it.

Answer 3

How many times a day do I type "mixing species is not a good idea"?  You were fortunate that the snake didn't nail her in the eye, or on the end of ear.

Lovie nailed this one.  You should pay heed to the entire post.

Also, dogs are unpredicatable, as well.  I have seen dogs suddenly snap at a lizard or snake that they had previous been ignoring for years.

Don't combine their play time, and keep a respectful distance between them.

Answer 4

snakes are completely unpredictible. Even the tamest snake has been known to attack it's owner. There was a case where a man who owned dozens of snakes who were all very tame was cleaning his chinchilla cage and then (like a total idiot) went to handle one of his larger constrictor snakes who attacked him. (because he had chin fur all over him so he smelled like prey) you dog may have smelled different to your snake than usual or maybe the snake was startled by something entirely different (that you probably didn't even notice happened) and panicked and since your dog was the closest thing to him, he bit. It is not recommended to have your snake out of its tank when there are other animals around. You never know what they will do.

Answer 5

why would you even risk putting your dog and snake together like that?  makes no sense.