New to this world

[snake mum]

Hi all. As my name suggests, I'm the mother of the reptile handler of the family. He's 12 and his hobby has gotten me in. Spent time reading your posts and you seem to know what you're talking about. My son has a 9 month old spotted that is a bit agro. The only contact he had was being fed before we got him at 8 weeks. He settled ok but then escaped in May for 4 weeks, we found him then he went into hide and didn't come out for 2 months. Was fed and shed last week, son handled him yesterday for 10 mins. A bit agro but to be expected after a long time not handled. My concern is that he has always been a bit agro and never completely settles. He's handled 10-15 mins 2-3 times a week. A friend has offered to swap the pick of his diamond yearlings for Snap. I'd be interested to know your opinions. Son loves Snap cos he has attitude but it took an act of god for hubby to let son get a snake and not sure if his "attitude" is a good thing for a 12yo.

[reptilegirl_jordan]

he should settle down with age,i had a water python that was more then agro and he settled down after about 6 months

[mrsshep77]

Spotteds can be a little "aggressive" if they are hungry! They can sometimes be very food orientated! Most times they will grow out of it as they get older but while they are growing can be a bit snappy! Our 10mth old maccie is just going through a stage right now so in time he'll grow out of it! We have 2 spotteds and they are both totally different, we have one who has been just an angel since we had her but our male can be a bit snappy.... it's not aggression just hungry! That's a great sign though as you will always know if he's not getting enough from his food.
What is his feeding regime?
Handling him a little at a time is good and just gradually increase it!
What have you got him housed in? Plenty of hides etc?
Diamonds are fantastic as handlers (we have 2 currently breeding now) and I would reccomend them as a first time snake, however they can grow well over 2m so if you had trouble with your hubby agreeing to a small maccie then a diamond may be pushing it! I would highly reccommend the diamonds though, they are excellent snakes and gorgeous to look at!
Good luck and welcome to years of addiction.... hehe!! It's an unbelievable hobby to get into and I promise it will have you hooked in no time!
Cheers,
Mell

[Bung-Eye]

yeah just give him a few months. Spotty's are pretty small even @ 9 months. Once he gets a little older and bigger he should calm down.

[firedragon]

we have a bredli just the same, the advise we've been given is to keep handeling as normal and it will settle. What do you feed it live or dead food not sure if its true (and someone please correct me if i'm wrong) but i have been told feeding live food if their snappy can take them longer to settle.

[JasonL]

I hear similar stories to yours on a weekly basis, you have yourself a typical mac. If your sons worried, sell it and get him a stimmie or a childrenii. Though it will make a better herper out of him to cop a few bites and get good at handling.

[snake mum]

Thanks guys. I'm only learning here and I'm glad of the help. We thought that we had researched pretty well but snap is the complete opposite to everything we were told. He (not sure of sex by the way) is so finnicky about temp and humidity but we have it right now. He has a large fuzzy every 5-7 days but it's easy to tell when he's hungry because he "hunts". It's the only time he spends a lot of time on the bottom of his cage around dusk. He has 2 hides but we have fake grass in the tank and he prefers to hide under that. We also have a diamond (other son) and he(?) is very quiet and docile. Biggest problem with Monty (original huh) is getting him(?) back IN the tank. HUbby ok as long as not in the room when snakes are out . He'enjoys watching them in the tank eating etc but not interested in getting closer.

[mrsshep77]

HAHAHAHA your hubby sounds like my dad!!! My mum who's terrified of snakes has had the bravery to at least hold one of our maccies!! Very proud of her but dad WILL NOT have anything to do with them while they are out of their enclosure!
Oh well!!!
Ok sounds like you are doing what's right for you, it's just going to be a phase that he'll go through and you just need to keep doing what you are and in time it should get better! Owning a reptile isnt rocket science you just have to find what's right for you!!!
Good Luck
Cheers, Mell

[snake mum]

Thanks guys. Son will stick with snap. Not the sort of kid to give up just cos things are too hard or different. I'm a bit wary of snap but love Monty. Truth is I always wanted a snake when I was a kid but Mum said no. I'm enjoying our babies as much as my boys. Heaven help me when my youngest son can get his license. Only a year and I'll probably have another snake in the house. I'm gonna visit the forums regularly. It's great to have 1 place where you can get advice from people who have been there and done it.

[kelly]

Hehe good choice about keeping Snap.
Does he actually bite or is just a bit flighty and strikey? I have a carpet python that used to be rather agro too...except she would bite & not just bluff. But with persistent handling she is now an absolute angel So just keep up with it.
My mom is exactly like your husband, she loves looking at my snakes when they're in their enclosures but if I ask her if she wants to handle them she is not at all interested!!

[snake mum]

Hi Kelly. Snap started off with full blown bites. Drew blood couple of times but now mostly striking but not connecting. More of a warning I think. I'm staring to feel very old for a beginner! We'll keep you updated as we go and I'll get a photo when Josh gets him out next.