Well, in my many years of experience with Hondurans, as previously mentioned, the majority(certainly not all) of hatchlings are pretty darn skittish, while some, even at a very young age seem to be pretty manageable. I have generally found any biting and musking to subside in a VERY short period, and I'm sure it can have a lot to do with the manner that they are held. With gentle handling, even SUPER nervous individuals have calmed down unbelievably at about the yearling age. I don't EVER have any biters, or musking at the yearling level, and most adults of course are pretty settled in, and are quite tame by then.
As Shannon previously mentioned, I've also found there are many individuals that are exceptionally calm, and placid, and are absolute "sweethearts" as far as being handled. I don't even hold them very often,....but I do think the "way" they are held on the occasions when they ARE out, has a great deal to do with the way the snake perceives things. One thing I always try to do with most nervous snake's especially, is NEVER let them see your "free" hand coming towards them, and move very slowly without any sudden, jerking movements, this helps out tremendously. When nervous snake's see a hand quickly advancing towards them, it tends to bring on an instant "haul-ass" response. I find that coming towards them SLOWLY from the rear is much better, and when done correctly, they more often than not are totally unaware of it happening at all, especially if the snake is already moving. When a milksnake stops and is just sitting there on your forearm, that is NOT the time to reach over and grab it, but rather wait for it to start moving again, THEN advance slowly and gently grasp it past the first third to half of body length, never before that, and never at the tail portion, this usually sends them flying off like a missile.
Anyhow, like others will also say, I think they become quite manageable and tame after a while, and like Shannon, have given certain adult Hondurans to my young 8 year old nephew to hold, which he just loves!
hope this helped some!, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"
