Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my licorice stick black ratsnake, approx a year and a half old, for a couple months now. I just got a neonate black ratsnake (het for lic stk's)...he's borderline wild when I try to handle him. He won't sit still and even tries to jump out of my hands even when its in the air. I mean I know that every snake will have a different personality, and according to the breeder he was handled just as much as the licorice stick was (bought both from the same guy). My question is this. Will he calm down anywhere in the near future to where I can handle him without getting crapped on? I mean I LOVE his activity in the cage...he's always doing something...very active...but I do want him to be a little more calmed when I hold him. Any chance?

Thanks
-----
The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -Unknown

The little ones are usually pretty squirmy and defensive. I tend to handle them for shorter periods (maybe 10 minutes or so). They're all individuals, though I find calm juveniles to be the exception rather than the rule. Some hatchlings just flail around so much I'd rather leave them be and let them get a little size on them. It helps calm them sometimes if you cup your hands to make a dark hiding place. Once they get out of the "everything is trying to eat me" stage, they tend to calm down and sit for a minute or just explore. Just an observation.
Lora

I feel all small snakes under 14 inches are very flighty. My 'other' yellow rat snake was about 12 inches when i got him and he was a darty little guy who would strike at my hand before I picked him up. Once he was in my hand he was very darty and jumpy. I would only handle him 5 mins at a time,maybe even a little less then that once or twice a day. He calmed down ok.He would only let me handle him and if anyone else went to touch him he didn't like it to much!!I say other yellow rat cause this is the one that escaped in June and has not been seen since! I miss the little guy! He was starting to get a nice yellow color.

The yellow rat I just got from Terry Parks is about 14 inches long and acts the same way your black rat does. Real flighty,nervous snake. This is to be expected from young snakes and the snake should calm down over time. Just don't over handle him,that can lead to stress.