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Handling

janome Jun 13, 2010 05:27 PM

So I have a vanishing pattern siniloan milk. Purchased him in Sept 09. was told he's a he an was about a year old but was on the small side when I got him still eating pinkies. He is bigger now an ate 2 fuzzies the other day. I'm not worried about his size or how I have him housed in his 10 gallon tank. Thats all fine.

He's STILL such a spaz when I get him out for handling. Couple months ago he seemed to have calmed down but today...wow...first off he has to poo / pee all over. I know thats coming so I take him over the bathroom sink an just let him do whatever till he stops. Then its time to spaz out, fling himself all around to get out of my hands. I mean I have to hold him near his head to keep him from flinging all over. When I think he calms down a bit I'll loosen my grip but then hes at it again. Eventually I think he tires himself out an moves FORWARD instead of BACKWARDS in my hands. ***Sigh***.....Won't he ever be more calmer? I held him at least 45 minutes this afternoon before he started to move forward an I had to put him back in his house.

He's so pretty an his pattern is neat...he's red / black with yellow pattern spots down his body. yellowish belly. black head with some red little spots on his snout. Black tail. I'm not going to rehome him just cause he's a spaz to hold. Just wish he would calm down. well, thanks for reading an / or any replies.

Replies (14)

Jeff Schofield Jun 13, 2010 06:04 PM

Get in tune with him, make sure your hands are clean so when you pick him up you always smell the same. Pick him up everyday and dont be a whimp, let him poop all over you. Of course avoid him during shed cycles, but he will eventually get used to you. Milksnakes are "calm" snakes to begin with, he wont ever be a boa.

bobassetto Jun 13, 2010 06:50 PM

put him in the freezer for....oh... 30 minutes or so.....he'll be calmer....THAT'S A JOKE.....DON'T DO THAT

janome Jun 13, 2010 09:13 PM

Thats a BAD joke. I was seeking advise. NOT to be made fun of.

bobassetto Jun 14, 2010 11:31 AM

wasn't ridiculing.....my apology....be aware that some individuals may never become "dog tame".....his behavior may be hard wired......the same ways different humans have different behavioral responses to different stressors....i taught students behavioral science for 36 years....at the high school level....many of them would squirm and poop on you....while others were also very well behaved...

JYohe Jun 14, 2010 05:30 PM

eeeeeeeeeewwww...students pooped on you.....no wonder you were underpaid....

LOL

............kids suck.......especially at High school level....or grade school...or middle school....or college....damn......
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......JY

bobassetto Jun 14, 2010 06:15 PM

just the squirmy ones....

Jeff Schofield Jun 14, 2010 07:02 PM

LOL np

a153fish Jun 18, 2010 05:01 PM

What school was that? I never saw any kids poop on their teachers.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

JYohe Jun 14, 2010 05:26 PM

it works....!!!!!!!!!
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......JY

RG Jun 14, 2010 07:21 AM

the snake should calm down.

Repeated handling, and more importantly as the snake ages (reaching adult size), it will settle down a bit.

However, if you're looking for a snake to handle, it wouldn't be my 1st, 2nd, 3rd...choice.

-R

KevinM Jun 14, 2010 01:52 PM

Most if not all milk babies and juvies are like that, and some stay that way. I recently got a trio of adult pueblans on breeder loan from a buddy of mine that are absolute firecrackers when you open the lid of their cages!! They will fly out the box in a heartbeat and are hold to get ahold of LOL!! Not biters, but definitely squirmers!! My juvie honduran milks are the same way, but also dont have a problem chomping down on your hand if they feel they are being too restrained LOL!! Just be patient and hope for the best. If you consistently handle it, it should mellow with time and more size. Read up on general species personalities before purchasing. Many milk keepers and breeders know and accept the general skittish behaviour of milks, but feel its worth it due to their manageable sizes and absolute beauty!!

markg Jun 15, 2010 01:06 PM

I won't sugar-coat it.. Sinaloans are not calm as babies, and neither are most milksnake ssp. Even as adults they will often be on the move when held. STill, they make great pets, just not calm in the hand like a Boa constrictor for example.

Also, make sure you have a humid hide for the snake. Milks have thinner skin and lose moisture faster than many other snakes.

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Mark

a153fish Jun 18, 2010 05:16 PM

I disagree I have found sinaloans to be very calm after a couple years. There are exceptions though.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

a153fish Jun 18, 2010 05:08 PM

Hey sinaloans and nelsons are some of the best pet milks out there! There are exceptions to every rule but it will probably calm down a lot after it's second year. Also I don't know if anyone else notices this but sometimes morphs because of the inbreeding that must happen to propigate them, sometimes will be more nervous than the normals. Again there are exceptions to every rule so I'm not knocking morphs, LORD knows I have plenty of them.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

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