Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my BRB for about 2 months. When I first got it is was aggressive, but I expected this. I have handled it regularly and it still hisses when i pick it up sometimes and looks like it is going to strike me and has struck at me a couple of times but has missed. The thing is once I am holding my snake it is docile and has never even looked like it was going to strike me. Am I doing something wrong. Is this normal. I hold him at least 15 minutes a day.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

Matt,
. The behaviour you describe is fairly typical. With snakes that act like that you have to get them up and out of the cage as quickly as possible. If you hesitate with your hand within target range while the snake is being teritorial you are more likely to be bitten. If you just accept that you may get bitten and that it does not hurt you can actually tame the snake faster. If the snake strikes or bites and you do not flinch but continue to catch and hold the snake it will "learn" that striking and biting do not get positive results.
Jeff

>>I have had my BRB for about 2 months. When I first got it is was aggressive, but I expected this. I have handled it regularly and it still hisses when i pick it up sometimes and looks like it is going to strike me and has struck at me a couple of times but has missed. The thing is once I am holding my snake it is docile and has never even looked like it was going to strike me. Am I doing something wrong. Is this normal. I hold him at least 15 minutes a day.
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>
>>Matt