Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a young suboc that has in the last few days become slightly agressive. in the first 2 months i've had it the only time it's struck at me is after feeding. now the last couple times i've tried to get it out of it's cage it rears up and strikes. being already a little tenative around snakes what is the best way to combat this. more handling? leave it alone for a while? just continues through the strikes and pick it up anyway? thanks for any help.

-T

>>i have a young suboc that has in the last few days become slightly agressive. in the first 2 months i've had it the only time it's struck at me is after feeding. now the last couple times i've tried to get it out of it's cage it rears up and strikes. being already a little tenative around snakes what is the best way to combat this. more handling? leave it alone for a while? just continues through the strikes and pick it up anyway? thanks for any help.
>>
>>-T

The keyword there is young. Nearly all baby ratsnakes, no matter the species, can have a few nippy babies in each litter or clutch. Some are more mellow, some are high strung...but nearly all subocs will mellow out as they mature. Don't handle too often, and when you do, touch the snake with an inanimate object first (like a snake hook) - not your hand. A metal hook is less of a threat than a fleshy, warm-blooded hand with gripping fingers. Snakes, especially babies, are both prey and predator, and they instinctively know this. Hoist them up with a snake hook, and then transition the animal to your hand. In a way, you have to make the snake forget or even overlook that your hand is indeed a hand. Time and growth (and not necessarily increased handling) will also bring about a less defensive snake. Hope that helps!

Dusty Rhoads

Suboc.com