Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just saw a funny, old post with pics regarding getting bitten by w.c. Y.T's that were previously owned by me! I've handled several w.c. Y.T's and while the snakes mentioned in the post never bit or attempted to bite me, I surely have been bitten by the w.c. snakes. I never restrain them, move fast, or speak loudly while handleing them and they seem to not feel threatened. Also, I've rarely had one attack me once out of the enclosure and in hand.
I currently have a 7 foot long w.c. male that tries to bite me everytime I approach his enclosure. He is super aggressive and will strike the glass till his nose bleeds if you look at him for too long, but once he's out of the enclosure and in hand he chills out.
I treat them as if they were "hot" until they get accustomed to my presence. Wanting and having to handle the snakes, but not wanting to get bloodied made me adapt to their temperments!
Hope everyone's doing well!

Take care
B.L.
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Jeanne Leary
www.USAGeckos.com

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Signature file edited; [phw 9/26/04]

Hey Bobby,
How's it going? The YT I got from you is still a MF'er (but in a good way). He's pretty cage aggressive but he's not too bad once he's out. I still usually tail and hook him though (stitches are just so damn expensive!)

The unicolor I got from you a few years ago just became a mother for the first time and those BT's produced another monster clutch again this year.
Something tells me it will be another gray hair inducing summer with stubborn feeders, fish scented fuzzies and lots of Excedrin (I still love it though)

Chris

Hey Chris!
Doing o.k. Busy with house upgrades, work, etc. Glad to hear everything is good with you and the animals. Haven't really been doing much with the herps, but I'm trying to make them more of a priority these days.
Those Geckos are breeding like crazy!

Take Care
Bobby

Some of my adults were the most aggressive snakes I've ever seen in my life...including mambas, cobras, etc.

I had an adult male out on the floor actually choose coming after me over an obvious escape route, this was the only time I've ever seen this in a snake. He actually chased me and grabbed the leg of my jeans and chewed like "take this you lousy so-and-so"

I had a very secure hide area and covered all of the glass on the cage but about 3" that I could peer in. Otherwise...he'd have torn his nose to the bone trying to kill me.

His mate, "lady-evil"...well, let's just say her personality is reflected in her name.

I thought they were fun animals...but, I completely gave up on trying to "tame" them. Some yt's can be very very calm.

But the "bad" ones are very tough to re-habilitate.
Get out the gloves and the snake hook!

Took the 7 foot YT male out for some socialization yesterday and he didn't stop trying to kill me and everything in the room! I had him by the tail and he bit the trash bin, vacuum cleaner, the cage door (glass), rug on floor, and role of paper towels. I didn't get bit, all of the objects mentioned did. After I got hold of him he chilled out, but tried to bite my face after a few minutes. I don't have too much hope for him mellowing out! My other w.c. YT's are mellow.