My snake tried to eat my dog.

[albertagirl]

I'm really sad about this. And confused. And embarrassed. I'll try to edit as much as I can, but I know it might be wordy so I apologize for the length.

Back story: I always watch the dogs very closely to make sure they are not approaching the snakes head-on, and while I will cautiously let the snakes approach the dogs if they choose to, I keep the dogs' faces away and watch for signs of the snakes feeling nervous at all. I do also let the dogs smell the body/tail of a snake if they want to while holding the snake's head away. Generally, the only snake that shows any interest in the dogs at all is my ultramel anery (Ripley) who will often try to get to the dogs, and will rest her head on them if she can reach them. Otherwise, there has never been any real interest between the two from either side, and certainly never defensiveness or aggression towards each other. And I never, EVER encourage them to meet. I am just fine with them ignoring each other.

So my cinder corn snake (Relic) was out cruising freely around my kitchen table, which is just about the same height as the tops of my dogs' heads, when he decided to slide right over the edge and sniff the dogs. I was a little concerned that this might freak Relic out, but he showed no sign of nervousness, and the dogs were completely ignoring him and asking me for attention at the time. Then one dog walked away and the other had the back/side of her head towards him. Relic continued to smell around her ear and then without warning latched on and held. My dog yelped and started jumping backwards to get away and Relic just went for the ride across the room. I was FREAKING OUT of course, because we are talking about a 75 pound dog who could kill him with one little nip or by stepping on him. And he was attached to one of the most sensitive parts of her body, so I could hardly blame her! Anyway, he let go after a few seconds and I was able to pick him up (he was totally calm, strangely) and place him back on the table while I checked her ear for any mice she might have hidden up there for a midnight snack. (I have no idea what I was looking for. It's a juvenile corn snake and a 75 pound dog. There was not going to be any damage. But I looked her over first anyway. LOL) And then I checked Relic out and he was fine too.

Besides feeling bad for my dog, I feel embarrassed that I allowed this to happen, like somehow I should have known it was going to happen, or like I missed a cue somewhere. And now I'm worried about letting kids hold my snakes too. I don't care if I get bit (which almost never happens anyway) but feel like I have no way of knowing if/when my snakes will bite. Relic was smelling around her ear for a few seconds like he does to the mouse before he eats sometimes, but also like he does to my arm or hand often, and then carries on smelling everything else. But I see other people with their snakes and other pets together, and nothing ever goes wrong. Like I said, I'm fine with them never meeting, but I also just wonder if I missed something that I could have seen that would have warned me?
Anyway, I guess there will be absolutely zero meeting of dogs and snakes anymore, but I would still like to be able to let other people/kids hold my snakes.

 

[DLena]

Wow. I'm very sorry that happened. I would not let the snakes near other animals based on what happened to your dog's ear. I'm glad no one was hurt. I'd keep an eye on Relic for the next day to make sure nothing was thrown out of whack with his spine from being flopped around. As for kids holding your snakes, I'd make sure they wash their hands just before holding anyone, to make sure there's no animal smells on them, like from petting the dogs, for instance. I think you really lucked out, and I appreciate you sharing the story because I've been getting lax with my snakes and dogs, too, and now I'll be more careful keeping them apart. I hope Relic doesn't need a chiropractor...snakes have very long backs and what if they charge by the bone? (Smile).

 

[DLena]

As an afterthought, I'd put a little peroxide on a cotton ball and clean the dog's ear just in case... Because the snake eats mice and its mouth could harbor salmonella or something.

 

[albertagirl]

Wow. I'm very sorry that happened. I would not let the snakes near other animals based on what happened to your dog's ear. I'm glad no one was hurt. I'd keep an eye on Relic for the next day to make sure nothing was thrown out of whack with his spine from being flopped around. As for kids holding your snakes, I'd make sure they wash their hands just before holding anyone, to make sure there's no animal smells on them, like from petting the dogs, for instance. I think you really lucked out, and I appreciate you sharing the story because I've been getting lax with my snakes and dogs, too, and now I'll be more careful keeping them apart.

I touch my dogs and then handle the snakes all the time. I've never had issue with them thinking my hands smell like food. I just don't know what made him think she smelled edible. He does seem fine as far as I can tell, though, so at least no one got hurt in the end. Still cruising around his viv. She (the dog) is tall enough that when he (the snake) fell off the table only his back third hit the floor, and then when he let go, he didn't have quite that far to fall. It was still a bit of a drop, but he doesn't seem injured so far. I guess we'll find out when I go to feed him later tonight.

I hope Relic doesn't need a chiropractor...snakes have very long backs and what if they charge by the bone? (Smile).

:rofl: So funny. I have taken my dogs to a chiropractor. I wonder if he does snakes! LOL

 

[Myca]

I don't let my dogs or my cats near my snakes. I don't let them around when I handle my snakes. One of my dogs will jump up and snatch things out of my hand. Irritating Yoshi. So I ban them all. Sorry that happened. Glad he seems to be okay.

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[DollysMom]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad Relic and your dog are okay. It must have been very scary.

 

[axis1]

Wow! Scary stuff! Glad everyone's OK. As is the case with ALL animals, including humans, YA NEVER KNOW! Which is why it's always good to be ever-vigilant when your little sneaky ones are out & about. It only takes a second!!!

Thanx for sharing that!

 

[ballpythoncrazy]

Ok but I just want to clarify that your snake was NOT trying to EAT your dog. Corn snakes are very opportunistic feeders, but they are not stupid. For no reason what so ever would your corn snake think that your dog is a food item. A corn snakes main diet consists of rodents and bird eggs, not dog. That's like saying that if you put a cucumber in front of your snake he'll try and eat it. Or a rock. Or a horse. I could understand if your corn snake came into contact with new born chihuahuas and tried to eat one of those, because they would MAYBE be small enough for an ADULT corn snake. But even an adult corn snake couldn't swallow a 75 pound dog, and your snake knows this. Like I said, they aren't stupid.

What most likely happened is that your snake got spooked and bit your dog, but his teeth got caught and when the dog ran away your snake may have been dragged along.

We don't need more of these ridiculous stories spreading around the reptile community or anywhere else. People are already wrongly afraid of snakes for stupid stories like this (i.e. Someone who knows nothing about snakes; "I heard this story about a woman who let her snake sleep in the bed with her and it turns out it was SIZING HER UP TO EAT HER" wrong wrong wrong wrong).
This is going to turn into one of those stories that makes non-reptile people more afraid of snakes.

So I want to clarify that the snake WAS NOT TRYING TO EAT THE DOG.


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[axis1]

. . .
This is going to turn into one of those stories that makes non-reptile people more afraid of snakes.

. . .
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Hi bpcrazy! How ya been? :crazy02:

If albertagirl posted that statement on FB or one of those other "mainstream" social media sites where people take things to West BubbleF**k, I would agree with you and might even jump on the bone here. But those of us who are familiar with and know her from her posts know what she is saying (I HOPE!).

I agree with what you are saying in terms of communication skills and lack thereof which has the potential for a grapevine/telephone-effect. But I'm also pretty certain that albertagirl and most of us here know that she didn't mean that literally.

Now there's a person or two posting on here recently, who have a tendency to pull up old threads and make childlike comments and ask members what color is their white horse and stuff like that that I can't really speak for. . . but what the hell! This IS a forum, no? Just sit back and enjoy it, right?

(And if I am outta line here, please lemme know albertagirl!) :eek1:

Fuhgeddaboudit!! :crazy02:

 

[DLena]

Well, Albertagirl, I appreciate your sense of humor in light of a scary situation. And Ballpythoncrazy, I hear you and truly understand your point, hence the posts to a thread started by DollysMom, in this same subforum, about snake negativity. But Albertagirl was just hyperbolizing. It's her way.

 

[albertagirl]

Thanks for the support everyone.

To comment on ballpythoncrazy's post, you're right. I have not posted this anywhere else at all, for exactly that reason, I didn't want anyone who may have anything but love for these snakes to even know this happened because they would not realize that my dog was in no danger. I posted it here simply because I needed to vent about it in a place where people would know that my snake was the one who could very easily have been injured or killed in this exchange. However, seeing as these threads DO come up in google searches, I probably should have remained aware that this is a public forum and not everyone here knows me or how harmless corn snakes are. I was thinking about the public image of snake-keeping, but not to the extent that I could or maybe should have. Way to defend our hobby! Keep it up!

And to those who defended my title, I truly appreciate you guys! <3 You're right too that I didn't mean it in any harmful or attention seeking way. I just honestly couldn't understand the feeding-type bite and hold, rather than the defensive-type bite and release on an animal that is clearly too big to be prey.

Back to ballpythoncrazy, you made another good point that perhaps Relic didn't really mean to latch on and hold, perhaps he meant to let go but couldn't because Gracie pulled back too quickly or something. It just didn't seem like a defensive bite, and a feeding response is the only other reason I know of for snakes to bite. However, I was thinking about this some more, and I suppose it's possible that Gracie felt a tongue flick on her ear, and twitched her ear, thus freaking Relic out and triggering a bite? I suppose we'll never know, but Gracie's ears are HUGE in comparison to Relic's head, so an ear flick could understandably seem like a sudden dangerous situation to what had previously been simple curiosity.

 

[albertagirl]

FB or one of those other "mainstream" social media sites where people take things to West BubbleF**k, I would agree with you

And yet another phrase I will be borrowing from your phrasebook axis1. West bubblef**k. So perfect!

Now there's a person or two posting on here recently, who have a tendency to pull up old threads and make childlike comments

At least one of these members has their age posted as being 9, so childlike comments would be appropriate for them. Assuming we're not being trolled, of course. LOL

 

[axis1]

And yet another phrase I will be borrowing from your phrasebook axis1. West bubblef**k. So perfect!



At least one of these members has their age posted as being 9, so childlike comments would be appropriate for them. Assuming we're not being trolled, of course. LOL

Hi albertagirl! How ya been?

Glad you appreciate my phrases, though it wasn't until I was school age that I understood (while going to parochial school when a nun pulled me up by my ear upon my response to a classmate's inquiry to where I was the night before!) that West Bubblef**k was NOT my Uncle Patsy's house because he lived in a part of Long Island that exceeded 50 miles or 1 hour traveling time!

BTW, you hit it on the nose about who I was referring to, though to put their age out there is virtually like talking about them in the third person while they are in the room, no? :eek1:

(OK willowbabybooger or whatever your name is, Come Out Come Out WHEREVER you ARE! :uhoh: Are you REALLY 9 years old? :crazy01: And do your parents know what you are doing??)

 

[DollysMom]

Hi guys. I was sleeping last night when this thread took its turn towards West Whatever. Didn't get there, just made a turn towards. Anywho, I just wanted to add my own word of support for Albertagirl. I perfectly understood that it was a humorous title. That this was actually a cautionary, lesson learned kind of tale. Also that the situation was dangerous for Relic and scary for Albertagirl.

Because of allergies in the household, I don't have dogs or cats, but that doesn't stop me from empathizing with those who do and the decisions they have to make regarding those pets interacting with our favorite scaley friends. I have no idea how I would have handled it! I do know that snakes get confused sometimes.

I've had Mandy accidently bite herself during feeding and I could tell she was totally confused. It took her a while and some encouragement from me for her to let herself go. I have a feeling Relic was pretty confused and/or scared as well.

As to our young friend, I assume real until proven otherwise. I've wanted to say something via PM, but considering the age that would be very inappropriate. Just better to chill and cut some slack. Nothing about the wording or nature of the posts suggest troll to me. It would be a lot of effort for very little pay off.

 

[axis1]

. . . I just wanted to add my own word of support for Albertagirl. I perfectly understood that it was a humorous title.

And that was my point, without subtracting what bpcrazy was saying about reptiles in general.

But as far as age is concerned, while people reach maturity at different times, some never do (I use myself as an example as most of my peers cringe on cold days when I happily recount a morning run in sub-zero weather when most reluctantly emerge from the warmth and security of their comforters to spy the sunrise while I've been out there running in the windswept, icy darkness! Or like today, a grown man of 55 yeas of age making the rounds to pick up (carpooling!) some youngsters in their 30's who are skydiving virgins hoping to pop their proverbial cherry with this "crazy, older Italian dude with the wind-tunnel-tested hairdoo," yet another continuing, cultural relic resulting from growing up in a neighborhood where if one yells out, "Hey Joey!!!" 15 guys will turn around!! There's that and the fact that I also was raised amongst folks who STILL have artwork hanging in their living rooms depicting Frank Sinatra shaking hands with Jesus Christ!! You might be laughing but I'm NOT kidding!!).

In any event, I know I did have a point somewhere in this thread but . . .

. . . I guess my train of thought was unfortunately derailed!!! (I KNEW that misplacing my Ritalin would have some negative consequences!!!).

I guess I'll come back if it was important enough for me to remember!!

 

[DollysMom]

I understand about never growing up. That why I play with snakes.

Have fun hurtling towards earth today Axis! I've never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, but I have departed a jump plane, lol (and I know you know what I mean).

 

[axis1]

I understand about never growing up. That why I play with snakes.

Have fun hurtling towards earth today Axis! I've never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, but I have departed a jump plane, lol (and I know you know what I mean).

We're on our way! (Hoping these clouds make a ceiling higher than 5,000' which is nice when you jump from 14,000'!)

But folks often DO ask WHY we jump from a perfectly good airplane and I tell them the one and only answer: 'Cause the DOOR IS OPEN!!!! :roflmao:

(BTW, that's a somewhat dated pic of me in the beginning of Spring when I had to wear a helmet and jump with a companion for the first jump of the season, but it is a nice shot! Kinda makes me chuckle though, because what good would a helmet do if my chute failed from more than 2 & 1/2 miles up? Only thing that's certain is that my shoes would be wearing it!!!).

 

[axis1]

RIP - (GiGi - 1/6/98 to 10/4/15)

Here's a pic of my GiGi, who past last October at the age of 17, just 4 months prior to the passing of her brother Romeo who was born the same day and died on February 23rd.

Even with the best supervision there is always SOME risk, however minute! :eek1:

 

[axis1]

Just have to be really careful!! (Thankfully, I have NEVER had an incident between my cats & corns!)

 

[axis1]

Guido & Nubia! The New Kits (kitties) on the Block!

However, after Romeo passed, we were fortunate enough to be able to adopt two rescues at the end of February who were 4 months old at the time!! Alas, they are way too young (not to mention, WILD!) to introduce to my little sneaky ones as of yet! Or maybe EVER? Have to play it by eye & ear!!

One thing is for sure: they all are very cute!!!