Posted by:
mfoux
at Tue Mar 18 10:30:44 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by mfoux ]
I believe you'll find that the snakes in your care will not respond to the type of conditioning you are used to. The key to this situation is to train yourself to read the snakes' body language and response, to gauge their moods and to appear non-aggressive to them.
Snakes have much simpler brains than mammals and act primarily by instinct. While it MAY be possible to condition some snake species using reward/punishment techniques, it's highly unlikely. Snakes are not capable of any form of reasoning and only basic associations. They differentiate between food and handler by smell, for example. If you are non-aggressive, they will eventually associate your scent and movements with non-aggression and may calm down. You should NEVER punish a reptile. That would only serve to make them more afraid.
Also know that some species, and some individuals, may never calm down. I own several "flighty" milk snakes and have learned over the years how to adjust MY movements to help keep the snakes as calm as possible and how to avoid bites by aggressive snakes. Another thing to learn is how to not flinch or jerk (or freak out) when a snake does bite. I (and MANY of the other posters on this forum) can offer you more specific techniques to help you deal with these snakes.
You may want to visit some of your local pet stores and ask for some advice and perhaps handling demonstrations. I would advise against going to a chain pet store, as the employees there tend to be improperly trained. Instead, find locally owned pet stores and seek out the most passionate employee or the owner.
I hope that some of this is helpful to you and, ultimately, to the snakes in your care.
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RE: Conditioning? - mfoux, Tue Mar 18 10:30:44 2008
