 Recent Herp Discussion | | | | | | | |  | | 
02-Mar-07, 06:22 PM
| | Regular Member | Join Date: Nov-06 Location: Adelaide Gender:  | | |
ive got a yearling bredli which lashes out once and a while when handling but doesnt break the skin maybe more of a warning
my brother has a 6month old bredli which lashes out constantly
he handles it like he is a tree he hardly touches he barely moves where as i grab and manipulate the snake with gentle care
how should you handle a snake
should you be able to grab behind the neck from in front of the snake
should you be able to eventually stroke your snake on the head
should you be able to give your snake to a 4 year old to hold and know its not going to matter what the kid does
how do you handle a snake??? |
02-Mar-07, 06:26 PM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Nov-05 Location: QLD | | | | personally i think they should be left alone with very minimal handling. |
02-Mar-07, 07:05 PM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Mar-06 Location: Out Bush, NSW Gender:  | | | | All snakes are different, I dont think they would enjoy being patted or stroked on the head like a dog but we allow ours to free crawl over our arms ( or down the shirt) where ever they want to go. I can't see why you would need to grab one behind the head for starters , there is just no need to do it.
My 4 yr old walks around with my coastal wrapped around his shoulders quiet happy but in saying that I think children from an early age should be taught respect for animals and not left alone with one. Children's good handling comes from the parents teaching how to handle and respect creatures, if something happens to a child ( python bites ) then it is just either a freak thing or something your child has done to startle the snake.
__________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" Stacey |
02-Mar-07, 07:09 PM
| | | hmm, u will get opinions from everyone on here abuot this question.
so time for mine. lol
i only hold my snakes when i need to. 2 of my carpets i get out twice a week, once to feed and the other time to take em outside for some sun, my water and childreni only come out once a week for a feed. snakes arnt like puppys, you cant pat them on the head. they werent intended on this. my daughter would happily hold my snakes, but i only let her hold them maybe once a month. and that has taught her that they arnt toys, and that to respect them.... 
mel |
02-Mar-07, 08:39 PM
| | Regular Member | Join Date: Nov-06 Location: Adelaide Gender: | | | | i understand where your coming from
when you buy a snake from a shop/breeder and they tell you its a good handler what are they really saying? |
03-Mar-07, 11:31 AM
| | Subscriber | Join Date: Nov-05 Location: QLD | | | | that it wont bite every time you go near it. |
03-Mar-07, 11:36 AM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Oct-05 Location: Queensland | | | | The way I handle is the ye olde Zen Tree method... Imagine you are a tree.. Imagine you are a big leafty tree in a woodland, swaying back and forth in the breeze.. Imagine your limbs are branches - a habitat for all your wonderful creatures.. Imagine Mr. Tree that you are at one with your snake...
Confusciouschanty79 |
03-Mar-07, 11:45 AM
|  | Regular Member | Join Date: Jan-05 Location: the land down under | | | | lol @ Confusciouschanty79.
"man who be like tree, wont get biten by snake." |
03-Mar-07, 12:27 PM
| | Subscriber | Join Date: Oct-05 Location: Queensland | | | | Unfortunately "man who be like tree looks like good place to pee" also applies...
Zen Master Confusciouschanty79 |
03-Mar-07, 01:36 PM
| | Regular Member | Join Date: Mar-06 Location: Out Bush, NSW Gender: | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chanty79  Unfortunately "man who be like tree looks like good place to pee" also applies...
Zen Master Confusciouschanty79 |
LMAO
If you need somehting to pat I would go for the puppy, if you would like a great feature and talking point maybe in yourlounge room and the od handling then go for a python.
Although my pup bites me and my python don't 
__________________ "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" Stacey |
05-Mar-07, 04:03 PM
| | Suspended | Join Date: Mar-07 Location: Townsville, North QLD Age/Gender: 20 | | | | In my experience it depends on the snake..... I trust my bredli with everyone and anyone for any amount of time because I have handled him alot.... although he doesnt get easily stressed or phased.... again depending on the snake and I'm of the "snakes are pets not decorations" opinion....
Wouldnt trust my jungle/female love/ childrens or brown tree snake with anyone and would only trust my MD while i was there.......
I would handle them like you handle a baby, gentle, cautious, respectful and supportive.
__________________
[CENTER][I][I][B]Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world...[/B] [/I][/I][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=1]Over the 'Coastals are ugly, lets feed them to BHPs' thing.[/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=1]7 x Coastal, 2 x Bredli, 1 x MD, 2 x Jungle, 1 x Darwin, 1 x Water Python, 1 x Woma, 1 x Intergrade + numerous on order......[/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][URL="http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z70/swingonthespiral_album/"][SIZE=1]http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z70/swingonthespiral_album/[/SIZE][/URL][/CENTER]
|
05-Mar-07, 04:12 PM
|  | primitively archaic Moderator | Join Date: Jan-03 Location: Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Gender: | | | | "should you be able to grab behind the neck from in front of the snake?"
Why do you want to grab the snake like this? This should not be part of your normal handling.
"should you be able to eventually stroke your snake on the head?"
No. If you are trying to do this, it may be the reason why your snake is so defensive.
"should you be able to give your snake to a 4 year old to hold and know its not going to matter what the kid does?"
Again no. I have docile snakes that kids can handle but I would never trust one with a 4 year old unless it was under very, very close supervision.
__________________
Why wont my snake fetch? That's right..because he is not a dog.
|
05-Mar-07, 04:19 PM
|  | Custom Enclosures Subscriber | Join Date: Sep-06 Location: Newcastle | | | | How often can I handle my snake?
While they are young I would say no more than 15-20min, 4-5 times a week. Over handling them can stress them out to much and can result in feeding problems and death. As they get older they can be handled more frequently and for longer durations. After purchase of a python I try not to handle my pythons for 1-2weeks to let them settle into there new environments. After this time I feed them wait a few days after feeding and then start handling them. Avoid handling them during shedding as it is a difficult time for them, and it can split the shed making it more difficult to shed there entire slough (Old Skin) complete. |
05-Mar-07, 04:25 PM
|  | Subscriber | Join Date: Oct-06 Location: Adelaide, SA (North East) Age/Gender: 56 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by liebeknecht ive got a yearling bredli which lashes out once and a while when handling but doesnt break the skin maybe more of a warning
my brother has a 6month old bredli which lashes out constantly | That is suprising being Bredli, maybe I have just been lucky with mine!
My first bit me and my daughter a few times initially but he is now and old softy.
Never looks to bite, not even anything threatening. The young female started off
a bit crazy, striking at anything that moved, but has never bitten me. She is really
good now. I don't use a hook, just reach in, give them a touch so they know I am there
and then just support in my hand and take them out of the cage.
Maybe it is the way you are handling them? They probably get handled every second day
for about 10 minutes, my daughter sometimes a little longer.
__________________
Baldness is Neat! |
05-Mar-07, 04:29 PM
|  | Necker Cube Subscriber | Join Date: Feb-07 Location: NSW | | | I think you should be able to pick them up confidently but with due respect (i.e. don't just reach in and snatch).
Grabbing behind the neck should only be used if absolutely necessary (e.g. if you have exhausted ALL other options of getting your snake back into it's enclosure).
Reaching over any animals head is threatening behavior, some snakes are more tolerant of this, but don't expect it.
IMO only the most placid of python should be given to a 4yo to hold and care should be taken to disinfect their hands afterward to remove the risk of zoonosis. Anything above the size of a full grown mac should not be handed to the child to hold at all (again very much IMO, I know opinions vary)  | | |
|
