Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have one final question before I get a BRB.Are they a good snake to handle? I realize they are nippy when young but once they are tamed down can they/do they like to be held daily? This is the only thing that would keep me from getting a BRB,I really want a snake I can interact with.Thanks for your time.
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I have more than 30 rainbows and all of them except one are tame, and I do not handle them too much, little ons like to bite a lot but is just surviving instict after a couple of weeks they are going to be tame

So I can handle mine without it getting stressed? I'm not worried about it bitting me,I just don't want to stress it out.By the way,how bad is a bite from an adult BRB? would it require stitches? thanks for the reply
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Well I thing snakes are not pets to be handle everyday, they are not a dog or a hamster, thats why i do not handle my snake frequently, but they can be tame. if you want a pet to be with you everytime and to be hande it, i do not think a snake is the right pet

Waldo,
...BRBs can be held for a short period of time every day. BRBs are too nocturnal and secretive to be kept out and handled for hours at a time. There are very few species of snakes that can be handled for extended periods without causing them at least some stress. Many baby BRBs are born biting. Some are calm from birth and never bite. I tame the ones that bite by handling them each for just a minute or two every day. I let them bite and even chew if they want and they quickly learn that I am not going to eat them and I am too big for them to eat and also that biting does not make the big bad human leave them alone. I have been bitten thousands of times. Many of those bites were by adult BRBs and I have never needed stitches. Most snakes have saliva that has anticoagulative properties. Snake bites will bleed more than would normally be expected from the small wounds that their teeth make. Bites from little snakes often do not bleed. The bleeding from larger bites can easily be stopped by applying steady light pressure to the bite.
Jeff

>>So I can handle mine without it getting stressed? I'm not worried about it bitting me,I just don't want to stress it out.By the way,how bad is a bite from an adult BRB? would it require stitches? thanks for the reply
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Rainbow Boa Webpage

Thank you Jeff,that was exactly what I wanted to know. I only handle my snakes for about 10 minutes and not always everyday.The only time I've ever had to hold a snake for hours was years ago when the power went out and I spent most of the day with a 4ft ball python under my shirt wrapped around my belly to keep her warm Lol
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I would add that the BRBs I own will not sit still, they are constantly on the run. They are calm and docile, but do not sit still for long. They are fine to work with for brief periods of time. Goodluck, Clint

They're not a hang around your neck while you watch a movie snake.

I have had my brb for about 2 years now and purchasing her was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Yes she was nippy when she was young, but with daily handeling she calmed right down in a week. She is 6 1/2 feet long and a sweet heart. I know that some poeple say that snakes aren't affectionate but with her I beg to differ. I know a few people who also agree that brb can be cuddley with their owners. They are awsome and beautiful creatures and make excellent pets.
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