Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does any one have any tips for taming down an aggressive youngster? She has a tendency to bite sometimes, but I have slowly been working on her. Just wondering if any of you long term keepers could give me any advice?

Thanks,
Stephen

Do you have a Colombian or Argentine? The methods are the same, but Colombians take longer to settle down.

First, I use the T-shirt trick. I take a T-shirt that I've worn and place it in the cage, maybe as bedding in the hide or place the hide on top of it so the shirt is the bottom. I replace the shirt every 2-3 days with a freshly worn shirt and I do this for idk...a month or so.

Second, I handle every day. I reach in and pick them and use gloves if I have to. I don't grab them, but I try to reach under the belly and lift them. If that doesn't work, I just pick them up. I hold them loosely and I try not to squeeze them or cover them with my whole hand unless I have to keep them from jumping.

Third, I feed outside of the enclosure as soon as possible. Then my reaching in and picking up to take them to food becomes a positive association. In time, they look forward to me coming to get them because they want to eat. After they eat, I let them poo and explore a bit, a little longer each time.

Fourth, I hang out with them. I keep the cage in a place where they can see people when they are young. I talk to them, I do things around them without picking them up.

I have a tub of hatchlings and they are all different. Two will seek out my hand and climb up me already. One runs for dear life and acts like everyone is out to eat him.