Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I have 3 lovely bloods, 2 reds and 1 black. All are CB from very reputable breeders. The reds are 2 & 3 years old, the black is a year and a half.

I got married and various other life circumstances occured to where I had to entrust their care to a friend for a little over a year. Now that I have more time to visit them (though figuring out what to do with them is an area of contention between my husband and I... we can't have animals at this point in time) they've become more agressive than when I last saw them.

I know that my friend did not do anything other than feed them and clean up after them... there was no handling other than quick cage transfers for cleaning. The black blood is still docile... but the reds, who are quite large now, don't want anything to do with me. The oldest isn't so bad unless I try to touch her, the other one attempts to strike if I get within sight.

Would regular handling "reverse" this behavior? I'm not quite sure how to handle them other than using a snake hook (tried welding gloves, they still were able to find my arm to bite it). I'm afraid I'll just stress them out more by trying to hold them despite their dislike of it... and also, if I get to a point where I need to find them new homes, who would take them if they act like this? The most aggressive one is het for albino so it's not like I'd want to dump them on a rescue :/

Argh! sorry for the half- rant half- question...

-Jackie

It is never too late to work on behavior modification. The key is understanding why they try to bite you. This goes with any animal and though they may never reach the level of puppy dog tame, they can get somewhere in between.

Snakes bite for two reasons, offensive (ie hunger) and defensive (ie fear). You modify these responses and condition their response to not associate either reaction to handling and you are home. First start by feeding at prescribed times such as late at night when they associate feeding time. Then avoid handling during these times. I like to use light as the stimulus for handling and lack of light for feeding.

The defensive strikes are more complicated. Environmental stresses can cause snakes to bite at every motion in and outside their environment becuase they are stressed. Evaluate your caging and get used to using snake hooks for "introducing" yourself to the snake in a less stressful way. I do this by simply stroking their body away from the head then using the hook to navigate the head away from you before you attempt to remove them from the cage. Do not let them tail hug your hand this acts as an anchor point for them to pull you and them closer to bite. I like to let them settle down with simple non-threatening contact by supporting them on your hands away from you for short times. The key is to get them used to you handling them without incident. Slow methodical movements is key and don't be nervous since they can sense this.

Also, don't be afraid of getting bit since they really cannot do too much and this will elevate your fear. Slow movements and determined handling are what you need. Never take them out for too long. I also will use this opportunity to soak them while I service their cage and move them back when done.

Try this for a while. It takes time, but time you have since they live a long time. Even my Biak Green Tree Python eventually settled down...though it took a few years since I was not consistent.

Good luck.
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Thanks Rich, I really appreciate your advice! =) I'll try that out. I especially like the associating day/night with handling/feeding idea.

I'll evaluate their enviroment more closely and see if there is any changes that I haven't noticed yet.

Thanks again!
-Jackie

I agree with Rich, except I have one or two caveats that I would point out. Some bloodlines will become more tolerant of handling than others and some individuals within the same clutch will become more tolerant. ALL will settle down to some extent, but there are those who will never be lap puppies. I hate to say this because it is a very broad generalization that has many exceptions, but as Dave Barker is quick to point out, Malaysians tend to remain guarded and defensive their whole lives. Some of mine have settled down and allowed handling but they dont want to play, ever. Some are pretty docile. I have also had Sumatrans and Borneos that are the same way, but they seem more the exception than the rule.

Be patient. Follow Richs advice. You will make progress, slowly.

p.s. I used to have a Banka male that would chase me across the room. He would bite, musk, flail, and contort the second I opened his cage. Often he would meet me at the front of his enclosure and come out of the cage the second he got his radar locked on me. I named him Satan and traded him to a friend for next to nothing. Dang that snake hated humans, but he sure was gorgeous.
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Steve Frist

www.stevefristreptiles.com

5rings@Netscape.com