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2006-07-01 11:04:05 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Reptiles

27 answers

bite it back

2006-07-01 11:15:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

If you are just reaching in the cage and pulling the snake out ,that could be the problem. Try breaking that initial feed response with a snake hook. Get a hold of the snake with the hook, move the snake from the cage and then gently get a hold of the snake. Don't grab the snake or hold it tight, but let the snake move through your hands moving your hands as needed.

Also, make sure you are washing your hands before handling to make sure the snake isn't smelling a food source on you.
Use a glove at first if you need to until your snake is more used to being handled.

Good Luck!

2006-07-01 20:59:24 · answer #2 · answered by Jen 6 · 0 0

Hi there,
I have a python and I think I might be able to help. I've owned reptiles for years and I have found that the surefire way to stop that behaviour cold is 2 things. Snakes are really smart and it sounds like one of a few things might be happening:
1 - he's' afraid and has had a bad experience with people before
2 - he smells food on your hands
3 - if you feed him in the same place he lives, he may think you're lowering food into the tank when you reach in
4 - he hasn't had enough love and attention
5 - he may be a species prone to aggressive behaviour

My python was a little easier in the sense that he was calm to begin with but he did have a moment (he was young and didn't know better) where he struck at me. But his currency is attention and being out of the tank (he loves being out with us), so he was immediately scolded and put back in the tank. He was very upset and wanted back out but was ignored. It was the last time he ever tried to bite. So I would try consistancy with reasonable punishment combined with rewards for good behaviour (even if he's just sitting calmly, that's a positive). Find his currency and reward him when he's being sweet, and see if it works. I've owned a lot of reptiles and they're a lot brighter than we give them credit.

2006-07-02 12:50:00 · answer #3 · answered by quietrevolution2002 1 · 0 0

Is the snake properly caged, with enough heat, enough water to speed shedding, etc? A cold snake is an unhappy snake! They tend to be grumpy when in shed, as well. How often are you handling the snake? Contrary to popular belief, snakes shouldnt be handled excessively. Depending on the snake, you should limit handling to fifteen-thirty minutes a week. When's the last time it ate? What are you feeding it? Also, a snake will strike if you approach it too quickly, or too close to its head. The proper place to pick up a snake is in the middle of its body, away from its head!

2006-07-02 00:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by nofingclue 1 · 0 0

Keep in mind snakes usually do not have good eyesight and might accidentally interpret you as a threat or a meal.

1. If you are feeding it in its cage, every time you enter the cage, it does not know whether or not you are food.
Better to have a separate feeding box, so it knows it will be fed only when in that box.

2. When you feed it, it will probably smell the food before it sees it. So, when putting food in the feeding box, do so away from its head and make sure it can see the infrared from the food before it sees infrared from your hand.

That's a couple of suggestions.

Also, each snake is different, just as each person is different. Some are more grumpy than others. That's life!

2006-07-01 19:06:30 · answer #5 · answered by andrew f 3 · 0 0

Here are three options. Take your snake out in the woods and let it go. Option 2 - Bite it back Option 3 take it to the vet and have it's teeth removed. Just kidding but seriously , I would advise you get ride of the snake unless you like being bitten.

2006-07-01 18:14:48 · answer #6 · answered by Rev. TomCat 6 · 0 0

I get this question all the time. Acclimating a snake to be handled can be easy if you have patience. First off, never approach or try to pick up a snake from above as in an aquarium as this is an aggressive stance to a snake as in "predator out to get a snake lunch". Try to move to a slider front style cage like a custom or even a home built one even a "visions" enclosure is OK although I dislike "visions" they are terrible for most snakes the only thing worse is an aquarium/terrarium in my opinion, for a multitude of reasons of which we could discuss some other time if you wish. Now there are 2 methods that work well from here,, depending on the size of the snake. The first, typically for small snakes like juvenile to subadult corns, kings etc..is to use something flat and able to support the weight of the snake like a paint stir stick or slat of sanded wood. Remove the snake from its enclosure with the slat, (coax it onto the stick so the snake can wrap on and feel secure). Once this is accomplished remove the snake from the enclosure and away from anyhing it could try to move to, now with an open hand fingers apart move the stick over your hand, do not move your hand towards the stick.Once the stick and snake is 4-5 inches above your hand allow the snake to move to your hand on its own, do not grasp or encompass the snake make your hand like you are cupping a basketball, fingers slightly bent once the snake has made the transition to your hand do the same with the other hand 4-5 inches beneath the snake and let it go to your other hand. This is the same technique to use when putting it back in the enclosure 4-5 inches above the enclosure floor let the snake go to the enclosure. The second, for larger snakes is a somewhat similar in as you want to approach the snake from the level of the snake, never from above. Put both hands together, flat palms,facing away from you, fingers together straight up and down. Approach the snakes head slowly at again 6-8 inches away. Stop and allow the snake to sense you, if it comes to investigate remain still and allow it to do so, if it recoils or takes a strike stance back off just a little enough so it knows you're backing away but not too much. Wait here for a bit then slowly move towards its head. Each time try to get a little closer, stop if it makes a fight or flee stance again. Allow the snake time to adjust this may be all you can do the first few times don't force the snake to be handled. Eventually, you will be able to get within 3-5 inches away with no fight or flight stance once you get here move your hands up over the head towards the body keeping your palms directed towards the snake and together as you pass the head lower your hands onto the body, at first most nervous/timid snakes will thrash and flee at the first few attempts, but again, it will get accustom to the touch once this is allowed, split your palms to each side of the body spread your fingers and in a open handed scooping fashion, lift the snake. Again do not grasp or encompass the snakes body pick it up like your letting sand run through your fingers. The snake will grasp you, not the other way around. Once the snake loosly grasps one of your hands move the least supporting hand away slowly and slightly til it releases that hand and has a firm grip on the other. After that you can lift the snake out of the enclosure. Let the snake make all the moves. Always come from beneath the snake with your free hand you want it to go to. Replace in the enclosure in the same way. I recommend you not use any type of gloves. You want the snake to become accustomed to your hand shape and heat signature. Remember when approaching always present palm or palms with fingers together. This may take two or three weeks until you can comfortably handle your snake. I usually do this twice a day some will take to it almost immediately.

2006-07-02 06:45:46 · answer #7 · answered by Rain 2 · 0 0

if it is very young they can be nippy. I have seen snakes too that were just violent and would not accept handleing without a stick or hook. Specially ball pythons and some boas. Baby corns when first hatched are sometimes nippy also. Just keep trying to get along. They either tame or they don't You can never really know when they might bite.

2006-07-01 23:54:50 · answer #8 · answered by dogdude1969 3 · 0 0

Depends on the snake, how often you hold it, is it shedding, etc etc. If you want to keep your snake buy some cheap leather gloves, and continue to hold it everyday. Start by lifting it up slowly, let it slide over your hands. (Don't put your fingers around it). If it doesn't get better in a few months, find someone who can take care of it.

2006-07-01 18:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by Crow 1 · 0 0

I think you were crazy for keeping it after it first bit you. My best advice would be to get rid of it before it does more harm to you than just bite you. By the way, what kind of snake is it?

2006-07-01 19:02:24 · answer #10 · answered by Joyce G 2 · 0 0

it depends. if u got the snake wen it was grown, it probably didn't have a good owner b 4. if u got it as a baby, it might just b an ill tempered kind of snake. make sure u wash ur hands after feeding it. if u dont it will smell the prey on u and strike

2006-07-02 07:33:27 · answer #11 · answered by wittlebaby 1 · 0 0

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