Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I was holding one of my new corns yesterday, I started thinking about our "branch-like" arms. Do arboreal snakes tolerate handling better than terrestrial ones? The Okeetee wasn't disturbed at all about being carried around the house (I realize, this also has to do with age/size) and when he felt a little insecure, he wrapped his tail securely around my wrist. I started thinking about how they like branches and such.

Anyone test this out? Are arboreal snakes more likely to accept handling by their "tree" humans?
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.1 Okeetee Cornsnake
0.0.1 Cornsnake
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

Holly,
Funny you should ask My Cyclophiops Major is arboreal and actually begs to come out! Each morning just before he eats, when I open the cage he comes straight at me and wants up my arm.

We go outside and walk around a lot, and he never seems nervous about it.

Now on the other hand, Xena one of my small brown snakes behaves the same way, and she is a ground snake.

Our Pueblan Milk snake prefers to be on the ground, we go outside and he is not content until I set him down, then he just casually looks around and investigates the yard.

My corn snake is still small, he was born in November. so I have yet to try letting him down on the ground.

The Garters, well they are happiest if I just leave them alone. They only get handled at feeding time and cage cleaning. They are happy to put on a free snake show all day, as long as the glass wall separates us.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who tries to psycho analyze my pets.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey

our critters

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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
1.2.0. Feline"Felix" "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

Well, I realize each snake is an individual, just like all other animals, but it made sense in my mind that arboreal snakes might be more comfortable in human arms than those that are terrestrial by nature. ^_^

By the way, I just think that Limon of yours is gorgeous. Those Christmas lights don't hold a candle to him.
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.1 Okeetee Cornsnake
0.0.1 Cornsnake
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

I do agree that snakes have individual personalities. However I do not agree about arboreal snakes feeling more comfortable in the arms of humans. Arboreal snakes from my experience seem to be much more apt to strike more. Looking at the majority of arboreal snakes that are NOT insect feeders; they need to be on their game more. Asian arboreal rats, Spilotes, tree Boas, tree Pythons, flying snakes, Mangrove snakes, tree vipers, etc. They eat birds, frogs, lizards, and tree dwelling rodents. To catch these prey items they need to act more on movement rather than smell. They tend to strike first and ask questions later. If not they will go hungry in nature. So when something moves fast in front of an arboreal snake they tend to strike at it. If it is not food they let go or drop it. When holding a large arboreal snake (non venomous obviously) people tend to get bit in the face. First these snakes can strike over 3/4 of their bodies, and next all it takes is a twitch of an eye or a tilt of the head. And wham! There ia an Emrald tree boa hanging from the eyebrow. Do not under estimate an arboreal snakes even if it has never bitten anyone before. Milk snakes when being held must focus on balance because they are terestrial. Arboreal snakes do not have to worry. Sorry for the long post. Just food for thought.

That is an excellent point.

That's why to me Limon (my Asian Green Cyclophiops Major
is like the holy grail of green arboreal snakes.

They get as big as a corn snake, green smooth scales, and eats worms and fish. This species is very mellow, intelligent and unlike 99 percent of green species totally harmless.

My wild caught male eats night crawlers from my hand daily. ( i doubt this snake will ever think my face is a worm

I have been fascinated with emerald boas, but I have kids and they are known mean snakes. Tree vipers are not an option.

I have seen videos of Corn snakes climbing up a tree, but I doubt they are looking for food. (more likely a safe basking spot)

Peace,
Wayne

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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
1.2.0. Feline"Felix" "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

Those giant Asian green snakes are beautiful. I think they are a perfect choice. I also like rough green snakes too. I think they are really overlooked. Cheers Greg.

That info you posted about arboreal snakes using 80 percent of their body for striking was educational

Hopefully one day I can get "Limon" a lady friend and see if nature takes it's course.

I had thought about a smooth green or rough green, but they are so small and I have been told quite delicate and hard to keep.

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey
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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
1.2.0. Feline"Felix" "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

You sure do know your snakes Greg.

"Cheers" are you in or from Great Britain?

Regards,
Wayne
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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky"
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

I am in the god old U.S.A. born and raised thank God. I do not know all that much. I really know next to nothing when it comes to morphs or genetics. I have had over 22 years of expeience keeping snakes though. And I like to share my experiences with other people. My main experience is with Asian tree vipers. I no longer keep or breed them. But I did for sevral years. And arboreal snakes seem to all require similar care wether venomous or not. Tree boas and tree pythons as well as Asian arboreal rats behave similar and have similar habitats. Even though I no longer keep arboreal snakes there will always be a special place in my heart for them. I am working with North American het for nothing ratsakes now. I also realy enjoy them and they seem to spend much time up in the trees.(I may have to switch from cheers to)Ciao Greg

Thanks for the info. I was only posing the question. I certainly don't claim to have enough experience with snakes to form an opinion on it, I was just curious if anyone had noticed that, or if I was completely wrong. ^_^

Does it seem like the larger arboreal snakes are the ones who strike quickly and ask questions later, like you mentioned, or do the smaller tree snakes do the same thing?
-----
Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.1 Okeetee Cornsnake
0.0.1 Cornsnake
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

Holly,
No need to apologize for starting an interesting dialog

From my observations the big tree snakes are the ones to be careful of.

The small ones are mostly insectivores. So unless there is a bug on your nose...

Just a little off topic, but how big is your place? The background of your corn snake photos looks like a farm or ranch.

Regards,
Wayne
-----

1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky"
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

Hehe, well, I'm currently in one of my parents' houses.. which is on an acre and a half. We do have a barn, though my horse isn't in it anymore. I'd have lots of snakes around, I'm sure, except that we have a couple of feral cats, tons of basically wild chickens, and a goose.

We used to have tons of snakes around here, black racers, pygmy rattlers, water moccasins, and a hognose here and there. I blamed the drought on the lack of snakes, but we had a TON of rain in February and still I haven't seen a single snake on my property. I blame the chickens, mostly. ^_^
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.1 Okeetee Cornsnake
0.0.1 Cornsnake
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

I think it has more to do with the type of prey they eat. Birds, bats, frogs, and lizards tend to be very fast. So I think the snakes that consume them tend to be more snappy. They are worth having in a collection. You just need good gloves and have to be alert.