Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here for Dragon Serpents
Click for ZooMed
Click here for Dragon Serpents
amandalizz Mar 01, 2014 04:51 PM

So I know I bother you guys a lot.. I don't know who else to ask.

So this has been pretty consistent, but not all the time.

Basically, whenever I go to get my snake out of his cage to handle him, he goes straight to his tree hide, and I lift it up to get him. First.. Is that wrong?
When I go to get him anyway, I always use a snake hook.. Just in case.
Lately however, he goes quite literally into the top corner of the hide if I try to get him out, and I can't get him out from there. I'm not going to force him or potentially hurt him.

Is this normal behavior..? I don't know what to do.

Replies (4)

DISCERN Mar 01, 2014 05:26 PM

All normal. Some snakes just are " scaredy-cats " at first, when it comes to reaching into their cage to pick them up.
-----
Genesis 1:1

Bluerosy Mar 01, 2014 11:54 PM

Yes it is normal.. we forget that snakes are mostly fossorial most of their lives and love tight cramped places to feel secure.

Putting them in a open plastic box alone with no hide does not accomplish security and makes the snake feel vulnerable.

You are doing the right thing.. and don't worry about removing him.. The quicker you do this the less stress the snake will suffer. So don't be timid removing him.

Question: why do you use a snake hook for a harmless snake?
-----
"I guess newbies cannot understand, those who build the foundation, are not the ones with great opportunity. Those who buy the latest generations, have the greatest opportunity to create new morphs. "

Frank Retes

FR Mar 02, 2014 07:31 AM

First off, why are you worrying. Kingsnakes are strong, durable, and basically nice snakes to keep and handle.

What you have to understand is, its an animal. It learns and it teaches. I agree with Bluerosy, chasing it with a hook is not a good thing. I do not think you would like something poking you with a stick.

Once it learns your not going to hurt it, it will be fine. Then you can form a relationship with the animal where it will come to you. The first skill you need to learn is fear, stop being afraid. Fear indeed scares animals. They do not have the brain you and I have, but they can indeed sense simple things like fear and that is very unstable. They simply do not want to be hurt. They want to be secure, just like you. So use your hands, be calm and strait forward.

If your interested in how to become "friends" with your animal, then ask more questions pertaining to this. This is a skill just like any other skill. Some folks have it naturally, others do not. In both cases, it can be learned and improved and of benefit to the animal. I this was in person, I could teach you to hold a snake in a way, it feels secure and that results in less fear for both of you. Best wishes

mrkent Mar 02, 2014 09:05 AM

I agree with the others. You might also consider using a simpler hide, like a small cardboard box, at least for now. It would be alot less stressful for both of you to get him out of it.
-----
Kent

Site Tools