Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a beautiful SST from NERD for christmas and was wondering how to get her more handlable(sic). Shes never actually bitten me but when I touch her she snaps around and even nailed my hand a few times, without teeth, Should I hold her more, or just let her settle? She has eaten so I don't think shes really stressed.

Thanks, Terry

Congrats on the new black.Since he's eaten already with no problems I would just keep holding him once a day for 10-20mins until he eventually gets used to you.Use gloves to hide you heat off your hands if you want, I never did though.If they bite you the babies don't hurt.Lets some pictures.
Later, Ethan

Terry,

Just keep handling her. Try to end each handling session on a positive note - i.e. with the snake sitting calmly & not flailing about or snapping. Keep handling sessions relatively short at first, 15 - 20 minutes at a time is more than sufficient. Once the snake figures out that you're not trying to harm it, it will eventually settle down. Don't return the snake to its enclosure immediately after biting or flailing around, either. Just give her some time to get her bearings in a new place & get used to your interaction with her.

Just my $.02

Kara
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"Remember the days of the old schoolyard?" - Cat Stevens

Hey,
Great advise!! I agree that short handling sessions are the best for a young nervous blood and short-tail. They do get use to you provided you do a little work with them. I just got an absolute beauty of a male (3year old black blood), that did not want to cooperate with handling his first few days and did not take to being put back into his enclosure (rubbemaid) with out first flailing his body about, in such a way, that I was afraid that he would break his back or injure him self seriously if he didn't settle down.

At any rate, he is hence settled down and is accepting my intrusions into his domain quite readily and nicely too, and is not offering to bite nor thrash, which was making the experience something of a nightmare. Lets just say that he has made a one-hundred percent turn around and it is like handling a completely different animal, and a pleasure to hang out with whilst, sitting at the computer typing or researching. Keep at it!

-Angel
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Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!

Cool..I'm glad to hear that its not just a "bad" snake that will always be a bit mean...I mean the first few days if I cautiously hooked her and gently held all was fine, then I fed her, waited four days, and tried to hold her today...BAD IDEA!!...she never bit me but she thrashed, hissed, and lunged hitting my hand ( I was REALLY looking for blood), so I tried a bit more (with a hook)and she seemed a little better, but I was still nervous....

Thanks for all the help you guys...

Terry

Keeps you on your toes and you have to learn what body languages your snake it telling you.I think it all goes with what draws some people to snakes and also showing them off to others.Don't get me wrong I definately wouldn't want a full grown mean blood as I know these little guys don't hurt when they bite.

Hey,
Like Fishkiller said, it does keep you on your toes. They are much more inclined to be defensive when they are young and diminutive as their defensive abilities are limited. However, with some good old TLC, and some nurturing the whole experience will be worth the work.

By the way, Sumatran Short-tails (AKA black bloods) do have the reputation for being the calmest of the Short-tail group including the Red bloods.
- Angel
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Sometimes on your way to your dream, you get lost and find a better way!