Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted a few weeks ago about my new Aru type that I bought from Troy at Frantz Herp. He was pretty pissy when I first got him and kept up with the attitude for a while. Well, starting last week I've been trying to get him used to me by sticking my hand in his cage at different times of the day, touching him when I could, I knew he didn't like it, but I wasn't going to back down. I finally took him out of his cage with my hook and spent about 40 minutes with him trying to attack me. Finally he calmed down, I got him in my hand, and he's been fine ever since. I've handled him a few times since without him getting an attitude with me, he actually let me reach in and grab him off his perch without the hook tonight. He's eaten three times and shed once since I got him. I'm crazy happy. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Babies tend to be pissy, and that's good for feeding. I wouldn't handle the little ones too much. Their spines are very delicate. It's better to wait until they're a little older before handling a lot. I've got my second one coming from Troy this week! Can't wait.
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1.0~amel corn~C.S.
1.3~Aztec Okeetee corns~Coatl,Maya,Acatl,Tepin
0.1~Green tree python~Tempest
0.2~Rhodesian Ridgebacks~Akilah, Ona
1.0~Black fat cat~Topper
3.0~Horses~Zaarah,Galliano,Achilles.....

the rule on holding a neo is usually 1 year, and judging by the size of the one on the pic it looks to be over 1 year...
all the same handling alot is probably not a great idea, but at that size their is alot less risk...

i'm glad to hear that it chilled out for ya... keep the pics coming...

Shiloh
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Shiloh Hawkesworth
kansas
(Midwest Serpents)

great advise so far but i just wanted to add a couple things.first off,i feel(and most other keepers agree)that handling chondros does not in any way calm them down.they respond almost 100 percent based on instinct and they are not an animal that can be tamed like a mammal.if you are noticing a better attitude after frequent handling over several months,its prob just that the snake is getting older and would have calmed down anyway.most reptiles are very jumpy as babies because naturally they have many enemies and are eaten in the wild,but as they get older they are less likly to be preyed upon and therefore tend to get a bit calmer.its all instinct.i have had babies that would strike at anything and so i didnt touch them for over a year.then after a year,i tried to pick them up and they were sweet as can be.they just grow out of it.its better not to risk hurting the snake or having the snake hurt himself by trying to handle him if he does not like it.many tail kinks are not even inflicted by the owner,but the snake actually does it to himself by striking too hard.i would try to minimize the striking to only his prey.besides all that i only have one other comment.i dont think a snake of that size needs a hook.the bite is not serious enough to justify using a hook and its easier to judge how rough you are being by using your hand and you could hurt the snake with a hook and not even know it.anyway,good luck and he looks great.i dont think its stressed enough how snakes cannot be tamed and animals are stressed for no good reason.i handle my chondros but only when i need to or if i know its not bothering him.if they let me know they dont enjoy it,i respect that and lay off for a while.

i agree for the most part... but as we all know, some will just not calm down... some are just nasty...
i agree with the statement about them calming down, this is true in almost all animal...
i respect all my snakes by not getting them out much, but if i am showing off my collection to someone i will pull out anything they want to see... the perches come out, so its usually not a problem, plus i have so many that it is usually not the same snake over and over...
i respect them, but they are their for my enjoyment... i love showing them off and doing talks at the school and library with them... you just cant beat this hobby...

Shiloh
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Shiloh Hawkesworth
kansas
(Midwest Serpents)

First off let me apologize for coming off with a bad tone. I'm having a very bad day at work today. I'm not expecting to make my snake calm down by handling him, I know that's pretty much impossible. I have one of the sweetest Boa's I have ever seen and I can judge his temperment very well. It's in their nature to be aggressive at times, I understand that. As far as me using a hook to get him out of his cage, I know it isn't necessary, but I don't feel like getting bit, I would rather judge the snakes behavior with a hook in his cage rather than my hand. I have worked with all types of animals for over 15 years, I am not saying I'm an expert in anything, but you guys should give a little credit. I am capable of knowing if what I'm doing is bothinging any of my animals. I am not a breeder, I spend quality time with my animals because that is what they are there for, my enjoyment. You guys should really try and give a little credit to people rather than telling them what they are doing is wrong or not recommended. I read a lot of books but I don't just stick to that information, I try different things to find out what works for me. If what I do works for me, then that is what I will do. What works for me might not work for you and visa versa. I posted my message because I was happy that I was making progress with my snake and he was no longer aggressive toward me on that paticular day, I'm not sure what exactly I was looking for in return posts but I felt like the reply's were aimed at me doing something wrong. You guys were really helpful in giving me advise on how to handle the snake in the first place and now I'm getting bashed for handling him too soon or too often. Thanks everyone.

No need to apologize, some seem to want to be negative no matter what they are responding to. It's your animal and as long as your not abusing it do with it as you please. And if some choose to disagree with you, no biggie. Randy

>>First off let me apologize for coming off with a bad tone. I'm having a very bad day at work today. I'm not expecting to make my snake calm down by handling him, I know that's pretty much impossible. I have one of the sweetest Boa's I have ever seen and I can judge his temperment very well. It's in their nature to be aggressive at times, I understand that. As far as me using a hook to get him out of his cage, I know it isn't necessary, but I don't feel like getting bit, I would rather judge the snakes behavior with a hook in his cage rather than my hand. I have worked with all types of animals for over 15 years, I am not saying I'm an expert in anything, but you guys should give a little credit. I am capable of knowing if what I'm doing is bothinging any of my animals. I am not a breeder, I spend quality time with my animals because that is what they are there for, my enjoyment. You guys should really try and give a little credit to people rather than telling them what they are doing is wrong or not recommended. I read a lot of books but I don't just stick to that information, I try different things to find out what works for me. If what I do works for me, then that is what I will do. What works for me might not work for you and visa versa. I posted my message because I was happy that I was making progress with my snake and he was no longer aggressive toward me on that paticular day, I'm not sure what exactly I was looking for in return posts but I felt like the reply's were aimed at me doing something wrong. You guys were really helpful in giving me advise on how to handle the snake in the first place and now I'm getting bashed for handling him too soon or too often. Thanks everyone.
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I don't care if the glass is half full or half empty !
I just want the full glass I paid for !

i dont think anyone was trying to be rude... we were just stating our opinions based on what you said....

their are alot of new people on here every day that dont even know how to spell Chondro, much less how to care for one... sorry, i dont think any harm was intended... we dont know your "skill level" so we gave in depth answers for possable problems we saw...

Shiloh
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Shiloh Hawkesworth
kansas
(Midwest Serpents)

I'm not upset with anyone that replied to my post or took personal offense to anything said. Just having a bad day at work and my post turned into a rant. Once again I apologize.

yea im sorry if you may have taken my post the wrong way but it was more of a basic comment and not intended for just you.i read a lot of posts from people saying that they intend to tame their snakes through handling and i have read tons of reptile care sheets that also say this is doable when it just isnt.i feel that Shilohs reason for handling his snakes is a much better one,because they are yours and you want to.thats a great reason if not the best one.i just see a lot of people actually making a chore of holding their snakes because they think it will accomplish something,again i dont mean you.as far as the hook,well i dont doubt your experience and to each his own.you may have a way of doing things that works for you.if it works,i wouldnt mess with it.for me,i really dont mind the bites from the little guys and actually kinda get a kick out of it sometimes.i may just be paranoid but i hate the sound my chondro makes when he bites metal and i just worry he may be breaking a tooth or something.like i said,maybe im just paranoid.you have many years of experience so im sure you know exactly what you are doing and im sure youre doing everything right.

I'm sorry if you felt we were criticizing! I think your snake is awesome and I'm glad you're having fun. Most of us, whether or not we're experts, want the best for everyone's snakes! We're overzealous at times
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1.0~amel corn~C.S.
1.3~Aztec Okeetee corns~Coatl,Maya,Acatl,Tepin
0.1~Green tree python~Tempest
0.2~Rhodesian Ridgebacks~Akilah, Ona
1.0~Black fat cat~Topper
3.0~Horses~Zaarah,Galliano,Achilles.....