Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to a Reptile show yesterday and handled a hatchling Albino Nelson. It kept biting the crap out of me, so I didn't even make an offer. I mean it didn't hurt, but was unnerving. They are absolutely gorgeous, though. With frequent handling, will they NEVER bite again (esp when adults)? Or are they just ornery. None of the corns I handled even CONSIDERED biting...

Also, what's a fair price for one? The guy wanted $75, but most of the snakes at the show seemed discounted from online prices.

Thanks!!!!

Walt

I have many adults and babies and have never had one even attempted to bit me. I think you just got a hold of one pissed off nelson. The price seems pretty fair to me. I hope you get one they make great pets.
Jim Baptista

My Kingsnake/Milksnake book says something like "some of these reclusive/timid snake retain the biting characteristic" or something like that.

Anybody else see a trend of biting in milksnakes (esp Nelsons)?

This guy had two of them and after the first one bit the crap out of me (i mean i had it stuck to my finger with its mouth WIDE open) I didn't handle the second one. And I was handling it gently/securely...

Walt

When you are at a show you need to remember that most snakes don't act the same at a show as they do at your home. As far as biting goes most babies will bite of types of snakes. Milks are more prone to it as babies but almost all milks calm down after they grow up a bit. For some it only takes until their first shed for others 6 months. With the nelson's it is very rare that they will be biters at all as adults so I would say go for it. $75 is a good price for albinos.
Later Jason

I totaly agree with jason,
you most remmber that the nelson that you handle, was handled with a big amount of pepole at the same show that probably drive him crazy.

i worked with a pair before as babys, and they were gentle and nice. im pretty sure after you take him home and handle him a litel, he'll make a lovely pet.

and $75 its a great price go for it, or even better take the other one .

Nevo

I will go a step further and say that a lot of biters are calm at shows. I had a Pine snake that was just plane evil. she would bite when you picked her up and keep on biting until you put her down. Sometimes she would crawl closer to you just to bite you.

I took her to a show and put a low price on her and the first guy that saw her asked why she was so cheap and I explained her disposition fully. He then asked if he could handle her. I smiled and said sure if you want to bleed. Now this guy was a wrestler and liked pain so he thought that would be fun.

Out she comes and she just sits there. He looks at me and says I thought she was mean. I then had to show him my arm from packing her and assure him that she would bite. He reluctintly bought her and left the show. I promised him that if she didn't bite when he got home I would take her back.LOL He happily returned just before the end of the show to let me know she got mean as hell as soon as she was put in a cage.

So don't be to happy about a snake that is nice at a show if it is a snake that is known to be a biter(Green Tree Pythons)

Later Jason

I have lots of Nelson's/Sinaloans and have never, ever, had an adult even attempt to bite. The baby Nelson's bite far less than the baby Hondurans, Thayeri Kings, and Rosy Boas I have. In fact, the only time a baby Nelson's has bitten me was during sexing (not much fun for the snake). Of course, they are all individuals though; you might find a "rogue" biter as you did. As others have said too, you don't know what the snake had been through, it may have just reached it's limit while you were holding it. In my opinion, they are one of the best starter snakes around.

n/t