Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I got my yearling Dumeril's last fall, and finally got him to eat for me this last spring by offering a live mouse. After he ate that, he promptly ate all the frozen/thawed I gave him. The guy I got him from said he'd not been able to switch him from mice to rats, so I've finally managed to do that; he's eaten two feedings of frozen/thawed rats.
Now that I've got him eating, and eating what I want him to eat, I'm working on handling. Due to his size (he's 2 years old now) and his skittishness, my husband has been doing that. He'll be calmed down and fine with my husband, but when I approach to take him, he'll strike out at me. The last time he bit me, but so fast I barely saw it and he just struck and retreated. To me, this seems to mean he's scared and unsure and afraid I'm going to hurt him.
My question is, should we keep attempting to make this guy a handable, tame animal, or am I asking too much of him? My goal is to use him in my educational work, but I can't take him out with people if he might fear-strike at folks around me. My other snakes I got as hatchlings and raised them with handling, so they're all comfortable with this. Since this guy is already 2 (and had been handled VERY seldom by the previous owner) is it too late, or should I keep trying for another year and see how he does?
Any and all advice is very appreciated!
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1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa, Bruce
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris
1.1.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Frank
2.3.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Marigold, Phoenix & Spook
0.3.0 Fattailed Geckos, Sahein, Beltaine & Soltice
1.0 Leopard Geckos, Apollo
2.0.0 Rats, Captian Howdy & Despero
0.0.2 Hermit Crab, Kraken & Speedy
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

I have found that usually a nippy youngster has a nervous owner. As humans, we are subconsciously afraid of snakes, so you may not even be aware of it. Now that he's bit you, it no doubt makes you a little more leary of his behavior... however this is also a 2-way street. I've had young boas that were completely placid while I was holding them and the second I had them over to someone that isn't used to handling them... they get spastic. There is some type of ibe that sets a snake into this mindset so reprogramming is in order for both snake and owner. Since he's small it shouldn't be any more difficult than wearing a pair of leather gloves while you handle him until he's comfortable with you and vice-versa.
Good luck-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula

Thanks, I guess you're right - I need to spend more time with him myself in order to get both of us used to each other. Then I can see if his temperment will allow me to show him - from what I read, these guys tend to be very mellow, and hopefully he'll get used to the handling and be a great educational snake in time.
I LOVE this forum - thanks to all you guys, I've come this far with this snake. He wasn't eating at all, and now I have him eating frozen/thawed rats like clockwork because of everything I've learned here.
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1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa, Bruce
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris
1.1.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Frank
2.3.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Caijun, Phoenix & Spook
0.1.0 Fattailed Gecko, Sahein
2.0.0 Rats, Captian Howdy & Despero
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter

try wearing a tshirt for a couple days (yes the same shirt...you can do it on your days off when youre just veging around) and then put the shirt into the tank when your hubby has the dum out. the snake will then crawl through the shirt and after a few days become accustomed to your scent. its how i tame all of my snakes. hasnt failed me at all.
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0.0.1 Colombian Redtail Boa
1.1.1 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python

I'll try the shirt thing - thanks!
Ann
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1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa, Bruce
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent
1.0.0 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris
1.1.0 Ball Pythons, Pete & Frank
2.3.0 Bearded Dragons, Bela, Sally, Caijun, Phoenix & Spook
0.1.0 Fattailed Gecko, Sahein
2.0.0 Rats, Captian Howdy & Despero
1.0.0 Pushy Lovebird Baxter