Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So here's an update on the unbelieveably defensive gopher snake. I've been handling him on a daily basis, and he tends to settle down when he's out of the cage, just so long as there's no movement around him. The minute anything moves, he goes into all-out battle royal mode. And he doesn't bluff either, if you don't listen to his hiss, he'll let you have it. And his strike is quick! I'm not even going to talk about what happens when you get him back in the cage. So, quick question, in everyone else's experience, are gopher snakes usually more defensive than bulls and pines? Thanks,
Kevin

no they're not any worse than bulls or pines as a general rule.i forget how old you said this snake is,but i would cut back on the daily handling-i think that will just kep him stressed...hate to say it but some pits just don't mellow with age.in fact i posted pics of one of my pines that is still a grumpy bastard,but at the age where they often begin to settle down by(he's an '03)....i do handle him occasionally-maybe once a week or two-and that does seem to help just a little,but overall he's just not a nice guy,lol...i've accepted that,as you gotta remember these are all individual animals-pines,bulls,gophers,whatever....also,if you don't already,give this guy a few good hides,and don't keep him too hot either,remember they like it just a bit cooler than kings,corns,etc.
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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld

I have a 6' monster bullsnake that is like that. He will strike the enclosure front when anyone walks past his enclosure. Its fun to practice handling him you get better at handling snakes altogether. I had a southern pine snake which was the tamest snake ive ever owned. She had the best feeding response of my pituophis collection. I also own a great basin gopher snake. He is very tame except when it comes to feeding time.

Out of my 7 pits the only two that I'm pretty sure will never calm down are gophers and also female. I think as a general rule males tend to be more handleable but I don't know about comparing gophers to bulls, other than my personal experiences. You might consider giving up and not handling that particular snake. The stress of hissing and feeling vunerable and threatened can lead to a miserable and even unhealthy snake. Maybe wait a few years until the snake gets bigger and then try.

Yeah, I think I'll cut back on the handling. He's a big old boy, at least four feet long, maybe longer. He's also a male, he spends most of the time hiding, and I do keep him pretty cool, at least cooler than most of the other snakes that I have. It's kind of funny, I also keep a pair of western coachwhips, and I'd trust those snakes any day of the week over this particular gopher snake. I've started referring to him as my guard snake, because if he's out on the prowl and someone walks by his tank, he's going to let me know they're there. HISSSS! Anyway, thanks for the hints, everyone.
Kevin

I have a couple of pits from hell--one male sonoran and one male bull. I don't expect them to calm down, but they have improved my skills with a snake hook.

rgs,
althea