Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys! this is my new girl. she is rather frisky and a big eater.

trying to tame her down a bit. got any suggestions? also, what is she? im guessing a normal but anything else?

thanks again!

Very nice! Looks just like my normal; they could pass as siblings.
RETICS ARE GREAT
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steve

was your girl this crazy at 8months? did she tame down? i want this snake tame enough for children to be around. any advice would be appreciated.

some tame down some don't. My female's a March 09...my male yellowhead is a late 08 (like October 08 maybe?)...female is dog tame but the male is *still* highly defensive and will readily bite if you touch him. It's a very defensive, bite and release and try to escape sort of thing. Handling works on some of them (see my female) but some of them apparently not.

well hopefully my girl will be the same. i dont know if the females have a less dominant trait when it comes to defense or not.. well either way i really enjoy her and look forward to her growing up to be a big girl!

ps.. just as long as she doesnt bite and wrap me up

I picked mine up last March when she could curl up in the palm of my hand. Her name is Jackie-short for Jack Ass, because she was like a little devil and would strike out at any movement. She had calmed down almost completely by this Jan, but is still a little head shy-probably because I only handle her about every 10 days and generally don't bother her head. She was definitely the crankiest of my 4 retics, but all have been testy at some point and all have calmed down VERY WELL. Just my experience with 4 Retics, I would imagine that some don't calm as well.
My brother got a yearling Burm that has never calmed down, but then again I am not there to see how he handles it and such.

I think it helps that her tank is in the living room with a large sliding glass front---so she is accustomed to seeing people all the time and I don't have to reach down on her. I would expect that if you put in the effort, and aren't to jumpy she will turn out surprisingly well. With that said, I will never give any of my snakes, not matter how calm, a chance to do something stupid with my nephews. I feel the handler should always be in a position (weather by power or manipulation) to prevent any unlikely events with someone else.
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steve

If you just got her she is stressed from being in a new place. Thats why she is acting defensive. You didn't mention what you have her set up in but I would get her in a cage where she has a hide spot to feel safe and settle in. And a choice of temperatures for her to choose from. Here's my female tiger that has become the best big snake I've ever owned.

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Mark Kennedy

hey mark thanks for the reply. i got her in a 40 gallon breeder till i finish her custom enclosure. she is almost 8 months old. her temps are 92-94 on the warm end and about 80-85 on the cooler end. humity ranges from 50-65 and is especially high living in the bay area. she has a large hide which she is currently tucked away in. i will give her 3-4 days to adjust before i attempt feeding her.

any other suggestions guys?

thanks!

Totally agree with the good advice from the others who posted. Give her time to acclimate to her new home. Feed her inside her cage. Use a snake hook to cancel her feeding response by touching her on the nose everytime the cage is openend except when feeding. Gentle, consistant handling should calm her down. Take her out with the hook and let her crawl onto your arms and try not to restrain her. Move very slow and deliberate.

One thing that I do with new snakes is to put a strip of cloth from an old, worn, unwashed t-shirt in the snake's hide. This lets the snake associate your scent with the safety of the hide/cage. I am blessed with very calm constrictors and I believe the t-shirt thing really helps in calming new snakes. Best of luck and enjoy your retic-Bill.
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
The Retic is King.
Anacondas-the other Dark Side.
Afrocks-the dark side of the Dark Side.