Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello,
i just got my first pair of patternless northern pines (yearlings), but the plms is one of them are so aggevisve and hisses over and over without stopping also struck at the front of the cage, makes it hard for me to clean the cage and handle him, i dont know if once in hand he wont tag me but i got the feelings that he would tag me. with some help i will be happy to hear from you.
thanks
derek

I had a bullsnake that would huff and puff, and strike at everything in sight. But once I got him out (with a snake hook) he was a baby. try it maybe it will work. Matt

I get the impression the younger ones tend to be that way. I bought a pair of northerns from John Cherry, and the yearling female was exactly as you describe your "spitfire" when she first arrived. With gentle handling, she has improved a lot, and I think this will probably continue as she grows, until she's as sweet as my adult female (see post below). There's always the exception, but this seems to be the story I've read & heard over and over. Move slowly, and start with holding it for only a few minutes a day. Good luck!
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Carl

They are notorious for hissing but not biting. I've got a loud hisser in my collection but he has never struck at me. Use a hook if you are afraid and keep handling him, he will calm down.
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

thanks alot guys, i will try my best to handle him.

Oh man- consider yourself lucky!

The hissing is what the pits are known for!

From what I've read and heard through others experience, they put on a great show, but don't usually strike.

I wish my southern would show a little attitude once in a while- she's been an ANGEL since the day she arrived! Never even ALMOST hissed!

I'd either just go in and gently pick him/her up without any hesitation, or use a hook, and do NOT flinch with your hand in there, or while handling... that will just fuel the fire!

Got any pics of the pair?

//Todd

I have 3 Sonoran Gophers, That hiss and struck at any movement, I used welding gloves and after a month or so they all come down (i guess they got use to me around all the time).
Good luck.

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1.2 Albino Sonoran Gopher,
2.3 W.C Okeetee Corn,
1.1 Abbt line Okeetee Corn,
1.2 W.C Miami Phase Corn
1.1 Sinaloan Milk,
1.0 Orange Pueblian Milk,
1.1 W.C Mexican Black King
1.0 W.C Cal King,
0.1 Durango Mountain King
1.0 Desert King,
1.2 Bearded Dragon
45 Tanks full with African Cichlids.
Many Mice, Rats and feeder Roaches

Some pits will be this way and some will be very laid back. There are several things you can do. First, get a hook to get it out and handle it. Another thing you could do, is get a box (like a pop-tart or cereal box) and let it crawl in. Then pick up the box and just slide it onto your hand. This works really well. Being hissy and striking is a defensive posture. You have to get him to calm down and relax. When they feel safe, they will calm down. I've covered them with a small towel and then ball it up and pick it up. After they calm down, remove the towel slowly and let them explore.
Good Luck

Scott Robinson

hi guys,
i dont have the camera, so here the pair that i got from that ad.

oops sorry! didn't link it right!
pair of patternless pines

Alright!

Those are BEAUTIES!!!

Congrats, and have fun with them!

//Todd

How long have you had them? I've heard CB Pits can be a bit more eager to bite & hiss than their WC counterparts.

reako45

i only had them for week and a half, i am going to start breeding for the first time next season. i will be breeding pine,bull,corns and twain beauties snakes.
thanks guys

i was wondering when i breed my pair of pine what do i get? all the babies will be patternless or half patternless and half normal het for patternless?
thanks

If the ad you posted are the pines you bought, they aren't big enough to breed. Female should be over 4' and plump, they have large eggs.
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

If you are going to breed them, they should be all patternless. But judging from the pic, you had better wait a while until they get appropriate size. The eggs are very large and will tax any female. My 6-7 foot females lay huge eggs. I would wait until they were at least 5 feet in length.

Scott Robinson