how to make my retic use to my hand? it want to bite each time i try to play with it.
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hellp help
8116
Feb 09, 2004 08:26 AM
Replies (3)
snakeman2004
Feb 09, 2004 10:37 AM
I am by no means an expert, but here are some basic handling tips:
1. Always make sure that you do not smell like snake food before you handle the snake.
2. Always pick the snake up from below and behind, rather than above and upfront. Don't come at the snake's face.
3. Keep the business end of the snake pointed away from your face!
4. Don't handle the snake during shed/pre-shed, except when necessary.
5. Don't handle the snake when it has been feeding.
If you are already doing these things, then I don't know what to tell you. It might be helpful for you to provide more details. (i.e, age of snake, size of snake, your prior experience, how long you've had the snake, what kind of enclosure, etc...)
duffy
Feb 09, 2004 11:14 AM
Another good idea is to use latex gloves for awhile. It will give you more confidence picking the snake up (which actually does make a difference) ...and...Most snakes don't care much for the taste...thus teaching them that biting is not all that much fun. You can use one glove if the snake only strikes when you go to pick it up, or two if it tends to keep striking. After awhile, you probably won't need them any longer.
I used the ones that janitors use and/or the ones that you can buy in bulk to protect medical folks. Good luck. Duffy
chrish
Feb 09, 2004 12:34 PM
Retics can have nasty tempers, depending where they are from. Othhers however are completely tame and trustworthy. They aren't really a good snake for beginners, for that reason (as well as the potential size some populations achieve).
Try lifting the snake with a snake hook rather than reaching for it. That will eliminate the possibility that it is biting as a feeding response and the possibility of a defensive strike. Keep your handling sessions short (5 minutes or so) until the snake gets used to you.
Remember that this is a snake, not a dog or cat. You can handle most of them and they will learn to tolerate it, but you can't ever "play" with it.
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Chris Harrison
