Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay,
I got this snake knowing it was nasty. (CH) Knowing I would have to take the bites. Now I am being a BIG CHICKEN (maybe that is why I am gettig bit?) I thought it was ironic that the dealer couldn't get it to bite him so he could show me it didn't hurt, yet, the first day I held him to get pics, I got zapped twice!
My question is: the dealer told that constant handling would settle it down and would allow some semblance of handling as an adult. (I don't think these guys are ever really tamed are they?) How have any of you overcome your jitters about getting bit?
He REALLY is little, although when he bites to bite he can draw blood. I am also VERY careful about my face. One zap on that and it is over, no more handling.
I got this guy because I really would love to have an Emerald or Biak (pardon me if these are the same I am still learning). He was in my price range, and I thought he would be a GREAT starter snake.
I must add that I have four Ball Pythons (hence my name). I have had Rachel for almost four years now. She is large and doing well. My other three, two of my oranges are almost a year in my care, and the third I bought as a WC that is a picky eater. My point is, although still a novice, this is not my first snake. I understand about enclosure, humidity, heat, feeding schedules etc.
-----
Demacracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin

I have read your post three times and can't figure out what you actually have that is biting you!?!
CraigC

I was thinking the same thing lol. either way if you have an amazon...it seems that once you get them out they can do pretty well without biting up to a point...then they get cranky again and want to go back in their house. As far as working up the nerve..it doesnt hurt too bad I have been bitten by worse (actually a ball python made me swell up more than anything when she coiled around my hand and would lot let go when she bit). Just take a few shots of tequila and you have all the nerve in the world.

Sorry guys! Since it was an Tree Boa forum I thought you might know, but I DID mention the Ball Pythons! :0) Just excited about my new guy I guess. To many forums too! :0)
Yes, he is an Amazon Tree Boa. No, he doesn't hurt NEAR as bad as when my Ball got me by accident. Just being a chicken as I said.
-----
Demacracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin

My ATB's when young bit me alot, but I also handled them frequently. The male grew out of it quickly and is very nice to the day. When he still feels threatend he will get defensive. My female took longer to calm down, and she easily gets more defensive than the male. I never like to use the word tame with any snake or herp. I prefer the term "acclimated to handling"

-Matt

Pretty yellow, mine is brown. Do they stay that little? Most of my research was done on the biaks and Emeralds. I was warned NOT to over feed.
I will get a thermometer for his enclosure. Any suggestions as to which one to get? Here is a picture of him posing. Most of you should recognize his posture here are probably aggitated and deciding if he should strike.

-----
Demacracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin

Nice looking amazon. Do they stay that little? Are are aware they are 4-7 ft snakes correct? They also change color and pattern with age though not nearly like the chondros and the emeralds. I had a completly patternless yellow start turning into a pattern in under 6 months and is getting more color all the time. It is a very nice tiger striping to him though and it appears to have no speckling with age. They deffinetly can be counted on to keep the most juvenile look into adulthood over the rest of your tree boas and pythons. ps. I told you just take a few tequila shots and the bites dont bother you at all : )

no worries, just keep working with them. i have many ATB's and with the exception of a few, mine are for the most part friendly

I had some tree boas that never did tame down. I always wore gloves and used a hook. The ones I had were wild caught adults. I liked the fact that they bite. Kept people from wanting to stick thier hands in my cages and asking can I hold them?
LOL>
Bryan

Most tree boas are more "aggressive" than most other snakes except maybe blood pythons. And to respond to one of the other people, Tequila doesn't work it justs make you careless. Handling any animal while under the influence can be dangerous. I know a rattlesnake breeder that can tell you all about that. The key is confidence. Remain calm, unafraid and I would also recommend wearing gloves and using a small snake hook of some kind. I have a Carpet Python that will bite me every time I get him out if I'm not wearing gloves but will let me handle him all day if I am wearing them. Having worked more with blood pythons more than tree boas, I'm not real sure what the bites would be like but it's something you learn to work through. It can't be worse than an 8' blood sending you to the hospital for 40 stitches though. Getting bit is something you will have to deal with more with snakes other than BP's or spotted pythons. Those are just about the only snakes I've ever handled that didn't bite me at one point or another.

Hey, I think that everyone that has read this has thought the same thing. I want to see a picture of the 8' blood!! I have never seen one over 6'5", and I would love to see the 8 footer. Thanks Jeremy

I use to own a pair of 8 foot bloods years ago, before digital cameras were a commonplace unfortunately. They were purchased from Tom Crutchfield and they had come from the collection of Ernie wagner. When we got them, they were monstrous. They cost me over $150 to receive them via Delta and they had to be shipped in large wooden crates. Each one weighed around 60 lbs each and ate 4-5 lb rabbits every couple of weeks. They were very long term WCs and ultimately, both contracted a particularly virulent RI and passed away.
Also, even longer ago, there was a zoo guy (Jack Hanna I think) on Johnny Carson (I told you it was a long time ago). He had a giant Blood on the show that went completely across an 8 foot foldout table. It still hung off by about a foot too. He said it was 10 feet long but I gauged it at 9 feet.
They do exist, especially older ones. Perhaps these specimens represent locales that are not farmed and therefore are not well represented in captivity anymore. Whatever the case, large Bloods are a true rarity.

-Yasser
Spitfire Reptiles

-----