Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Mandarins look BEAUTIFUL.

However, everything I read says even CB can stand only minimal handling and will always still bite.

For all you with experience with Mandarins, can a CB baby get as gentle as a Corn Snake, or should I stay away from this breed?

Thanks,

Walt

Walt:
I wouldn't depend on getting a mandarin that doesn't mind handling. Very few seem comfortable being handled. And if you do handle them alot some will definitely start to stress and might even go off feed. That being said I have to confess that I do like to drag out some of my mandarins for photos and just to look at them more often than I need to. For me it's hard to resist. But they're definitely less hardy and higher strung than a corn.
Best regards
John

Do you guys think that after being bred in captivity for so long, the offspring will be better behaved? As in... maybe an F10 mandarin will be able to be handled?
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
0.0.1 Butter Corn "Butters" (South Park)
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"

For that to work, you would have to do selective breeding for temperament, and I doubt that is happening. People buy those snakes for their looks and the fact that they are rare and unusual. Not because they make good pets.

being a "good pet snake" doesn't have to mean "will sit in my lap and watch tv with me" : )

i think the Mandarins make a TERRIFIC pet snake, and i recommend them highly. they are DIFFERENT than most snakes, and that is a large part of the appeal.

but they are not a beginning species, and moreso than any species i can quickly think of, it is very important that you start with a high quality, feeding baby.

and to the original poster, they are not aggressive at all, i think you misunderstand their behavior.

they are not a "hang out" kind of snake, but i can't remember the last time i was bit by a juvie or adult, and i can't remember a single "aggressive" animal. they stress easier, yes, but in a "geez, can't you PLEASE put me back in my cage?!?" way.

they are easier to handle than a chondro, and those snakes don't really dig handling all that much either, but they sure are beautiful, and great to keep, just like a Mandarin : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

if you bred for the trait. But mandarins are fossorial (underground dwellers) so they feel uncomfortable being exposed. This makes them averse to being uncovered, thus their stress when you go in their cage and pull them out of their hide. But some of them will tolerate a reasonable amount of handling. They just don't particularly like it.

John

Wow thats a beauty if i ever saw one!
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www.reptiles.co.za

He's one of my favorites.

Regards
John