Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi fellas-

I posted pics of my new Cribos a bit ago and I am very happy, these guys are doing well. I am just wondering one thing. My adults are great but when I walk in my snake room or try and remove them from their enclosures they strike and are handful getting out.

I have been handling them twice to three times a week. My question is do you think they will mellow out and not act so aggresive in their cages? I am not worried about getting bit, I just don't want them to stress out or injure themselves. Should I handle them more often? Or should I just accept the fact that they will be like this forever? It's been over a month since I've had them. Your shared experiences on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-

Brett

I have to say I am far from the most knowledgable person on Drymarchon who frequents this forum, but being a bit excited about just purchasing a blacktail...I figured I would comment.

I have had the pleasure of looking after a large eastern indigo collection for a short time and I must say they can be a bit to work with in the cage. I found hooks can greatly decrease the stress and assertiveness of them going for your hands. It also decreases your stitches if you get nailed by these incredibly strong animals.

I have also heard larger enclosures can reduce how assertive they can be when in the enclosure.

It does seem to be the standard they calm down dramatically when outside the cage as well.

I just wish I was in your shoes because I love the attitude these snakes can show and my recent purchase is quite timid. I hope she developes a sense of territory over time.

Good luck.

Do you have a hide in their cage? They usually feel more secure within the cage if they know there's a retreat for them to chill out in, even if they aren't in it when you approach. I've found that even w.c. B.T.'s will calm down once handled and acclimated. Every aggressive B.T. I've had eventually calmed down. I have even got w.c. YT's to chill out. Not all of them though!
Some snakes will not ever get accustomed to being around people and being handled, but keep handling them and hopefully they calm down for you. If you have to, wear gloves to take them out for the handling. They need to get used to knowing that when you enter the cage you mean them no harm.
Hope this helps. Oh yeah, get some betadine and band aids!!!

These guys aren't WC and their cages are pictured below. The cages are fairly large, close to 6' in length with hides. I usually do hook them and they haven't attempted to bite outside the cage. I am really not worried about my safety, more so theirs. Hopefully with frequent handling and seeing me in my snake room they will mellow out.

I saw those cages, nice.
They should chill out with handling and socialization.
I never had a BT w.c. or c.b. that didn't.

Good luck

My experience with Drymarchon pretty much echoes what everyone else has said-the aggressiveness ends when they leave the cage. Very nice cages-what are you using as substrate? Im still trying to settle on what I prefer & would like to hear other keepers preferences. The only other thing I can think of that might help mellow your cribos a bit is short daily (except for feed & shed periods) handling sessions. The more familier they get with you the better. Best of luck..........

Thanks for the post and compliments. I am using shredded aspen for a substrate. I am thinking of ordering some Cypress mulch from Pro-exotics but it's kinda pricey at almost a hundred to fill both cages. I do have damp spaghnum moss in their hides to keep the humidity up. I have been handling them regularly for short periods like you have suggested and they are perfectly well behaved snakes when they are out, acting better than some other colubrids. I have definitely found a new love as far as snakes go. I have 5 of these guys and plan on getting more.......time to add another snakeroom!!!!

This is my set-up including the rack and tubs for the yearlings. All with black pipes for hides.

BT's are easy to get used to handling. They are usually right there with Easterns and Uni's in their temperment. Just make certain they know they are not getting fed when you open the cage! I would always tap them with a hook, rubber coated, to let them know this isn't feeding time..I honestly can't remember ever getting bitten by my BT's. I'm sure someone else has..
Keep up the daily handling a few minutes at a time and you'll do great and so will they..
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

Results may vary..

All Drys can be a bit territorial at times, which sounds like the behavior you are incurring with your pair.
Also, as Dr. G indicated, if you are feeding them within their enclosures, they will soon associate any entry to their enclosure with feeding, which is why I feed all of my Drys outside of their enclosures, within the confines of Rubbermaid blanket boxes.

Good luck,

Jeff

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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I will post on how they are acclimating and if they have calmed down any.... hopefully soon.