Unfortunately, it doesn't take a "mistake" on your part when free handling.
I'm sorry that you had to experience that (again); but I'm glad you're still around to tell the story. Thanks for posting...hopefully, your lesson will save somebody else from learning the hard way.

Yeah, sounds like you had a VERY close call. No matter how tame (or just acclimated to handling by humans) we may think a wild animal is, it is still a WILD animal, and by definition unpredictable when it comes to how we want them to act.

Glad you were able to stay on top of the ground a while longer.

I'm really sorry to hear that, I've been enjoying your posts and the reasoned way you explained your methodology and handled opposing points of view. You took the risks knowingly and I applaud the fact that you have come on and shown that it can go wrong, even for you.

I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy your snakes, even if you stop freehandling. I love the concept of taking them out for some sunshine.

Glad you are alright and recovering. Though I would never hold a venomous snake you certainly took it to a new level with sweat pea. Was she the one that gave the bite?

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Kudos for posting the hospital pic and I'm glad you recovered. Was it sweet pea who got you?

Barry, my thoughts and prayers are with you, that you make a full recovery.

Thank you Lucille, and yes it was my girl sweetpea that got me.

Barry, I just now heard about this...so sorry for what you went thru and I'm so glad you're still with us. I quite agree, you don't ever want to take this risk again. You were lucky this time, very lucky...and I also hope you make a full recovery. Will you still be keeping your hots? (-only hands-off now?)

Oh my gosh.
I just now saw this.
Barry I hope you and yours are doing ok.

I have always enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your spirit.
Sweet pea and your gaboon are nothing less than beautiful.

I am an old 1%er.
I have a old pic somewhere of me a bit over 30 years ago.
I was looking like you in your hospital pic.

It was a Friday about 6-7 pm.
I was In my early 20's.
I was drinking and I was stoned.
By no means am I saying my hit was the same.

I pressed her head down with my hook and grabbed her behind the neck and she circled back and hit my left index finger.
Full hit from a baby WDB..
Nerve damage on my finger lasted near 8 years.

Being a young ass wipe, after I was on the road to recovery my wife (we just had our 34th anniversary) accidentally brushed against my lower area and it spiked my heart monitor.
We messed with the nurses for a bit before they told us to stop😜.

I love hots but after that no way can they ever be in my collection.
I'm just not good enough.

If you ever hit the Frisco area I got a good bbq and cold one for ya.
Take care.

Andy

Thanks Andy I will. Here's the really bad news, while I was in a coma my wife GAVE AWAY ALL my snakes!! She was never into snakes like me, but at least they all went to great homes. Sweetpea is at the Edisto Serpentarium and the retic's are at Alligator Adventure in Myrtle Beach S.C.
I'm now in the process of looking for a Green Anaconda, I sold the one that I had and regret it EVERYDAY now.