Snake Behaviour?

[A.l.a.n.a]

I am hoping to get a snake soon, but as snakes aren't the type of animals that I've ever kept before was wondering how to disipline them? or if you even do?

How do all of you who have rather difficult snakes handle them? Do you just try to avoid getting bitten or do you use a disipline method?

Thanks

[brendon93]

hi alana,
well to tell u the truth, there really is no way to dicipline snakes, u cant threaten them, u cant punish them, really u cant do anything to them without them striking at u the next time u handle them. if a snake starts striking u, your best option is to find its problem, or just put it straight back into its enclosure. if it helps snakes normally only strike in defence and only bites when it thinks its feeding time.

A snake will normally show other signs of stress before it starts striking e.g hissing, tense muscles, constricting, making a arched 'S' shape. every snake is different so u got to get to know it.

give it a sign when your going to handle or feed it, like use a snake bag when u get it out of its enclosure that way if it tries to strike it will only get the snake back, u will be unharmed and it is effective as in time the snake will learn that when u touch it with the snake bag that it will be handled and will not be startled when u pick it up.

two few questions
what snake do u intend to buy
have u ever held snakes before


hope this helps, any thing to add

[Mudimans]

You can't disipline them. As hatchies your going to get bitten but it doesn't hurt too much but as they get older most tend to settle down and can be quite placid, in saying this there's always the chance you could just get an angry little sucker in which case i would suggest careful handling

[brendon93]

another thing, if u really dont want to get bitten use snake hooks.

and as mudimans said as hatchlings u dont want them to get violent or get used to protecting itself against u, other wise when it gets big it will get dangerous and wont give u a chance to touch it, it will strike u when it gets the chance , so when u handle it at a young age just be really careful and it should be fine later on

[notechistiger]

I wouldn't advise putting them back in their enclosure when they bite you. They then learn that biting= going back into the enclosure. Try to wait for a period where they aren't biting, then put them back in.

[$NaKe PiMp]

lol dicipline them

yeah you give them a smack if there naughty,or you can ground them for a week.
sometimes sending them to there room,or making them sit in the naughty corner and tell them
there behaviour is unacceptable,and to think hard about what theve done.

[caustichumor]

Originally Posted by notechistiger

I wouldn't advise putting them back in their enclosure when they bite you. They then learn that biting= going back into the enclosure. Try to wait for a period where they aren't biting, then put them back in.

Are you serious?

[dunno103]

Yes CH, advice from some people should be written on toliet paper and used appropriately.

Alana you cannot discipline a snake as you can a dog or maybe a cat, talk to the breeder that you buy it off, if it is biting them then it will bite you soon after too. If it isn't then you should be told to wait about a week until you handle it, if at all.

Wish you could find Reptiles Australia article (vol 3 I think), Road testing Aussie Pythons, it is better than most (not all) of the advice on this forum.

[dunno103]

Just read through some of the other posts I hadn't earlier.

I have had snakes for over 29 years (started late) but have only been bitten by one wild caught (elapid) and one captive, but I do have a snake which I have never handled, the breeder told me that she is super aggro, so I always hook her.

I must say I handle every other snake I have and that captive still bites me.

[Dipcdame]

DISCIPLINE???????????/ Oh my stars.................... now I've heard it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I think!!!!)
I suspect A.l.a.n.a. isn't REALLY serious.................................are you???

I would strongly suggest you spend a long time researching and spending time around reptile shops and breeders, ask many many questions. Get yourself a really good idea of what is involved first before you actually look at buying a snake.

It's the best way to get into owning any kind of animal you've never owned and have very little knowledge of!!!! Good luck.

[brendon93]

dude, why the hell after them biting u would u keep holding them, unless it is stress related and u fix the problem, but other wise they will keep striking, they cant talk so they cant tell u there problem, and yes u may be right but if they wanted to go back to their enclosure wouldnt they bite u when u get them out?????
if u are handling them and then they start striking then get them back into the enclosure and out of your hands, it will keep biting you, yes teaching your python good habits is good but i think your safety comes first!!

[notechistiger]

I hardly think a hatchling or juvenile biting you is a cause for concern. Maybe I should reiterate what I said. I meant to say, that if you eliminate yourself as a threat (hook the snake out, place it on a flat palm or your lap- no threats and/or targets to strike at, etc., etc.), then you only put it back while it's calm by hooking it back in. That way, it learns that you're really not a danger and it conditions it to being picked up more easily.

Don't worry, I'm probably still not explaing myself properly, but that's the method I use for aggressive/defensive reptiles, and it works for me.

[.....Newbie.....]

I found yearling pre-school worked well for my girl.

[GSXR_Boy]

Originally Posted by notechistiger

.
I use for aggressive/defensive reptiles, and it works for me.

Based on how many snakes and types of snakes?

[brendon93]

ohk that clears it up a bit, i wasnt talking about hatchlings, sorry your right