Some newbie questions..

[Sparty]

Thanks in advance for your help guys, I love reading all the stuff on here.

I've had my first snake (Bredli) for about 4 months. He is about 6 months old now, and has been feeding very well on pinkie rats about once a week (sometimes a little more). The temperature gradient in there isn't very good, so the thermostat is set at 28. But since the enclose is 3 foot tall, the vertical gradient is enough for him to move round a fair amount. That being said, he is known to come up to the glass and lay along it at night, leaving me thinking that I should lower the temp a bit?

His enclosure is very big for him, but he has lots cover in there due to plastic plants and a couple of caves. However, he spends his days in the top of one of the branches i've put in there.

I take him out when I can, which is usually once a week or so, however, he is quite snappy, and I just can't help but pull away when he does snap at me (trying to get him out). Sometimes when I go to pick him up he just scoots off away like he is scared, usually at times like that, I just leave him alone. I can't help but be worried about being bitten, and it doesn't seem like something I'm going to be able to do. I do feed him in his encloure using tongs (albeit they are a little short), and at times he has struck at my hand (causing me to get a massive fright).

I'm writing this now because I get the feeling that the more he strikes at me, the less inclined I will be to EVER pick him up! It's not something I can help it seems, my brain says "Snake bite = bad"..

I've considered getting a hook, just to get him out of his enclosure and onto my hand, and ofcourse some longer tongs, so he can't see my hand feeding him. Is this a bad thing to do? Are hooks wrong to use until he settles down?

I've also considered selling my lovely snake, due to the fact that maybe though I love him to bits, watching him cruise round, excited about how he's gonna turn out, that I'm not cut out for this..

I definately don't want to get rid of my baby, but I feel just so negative about his attitude that I'm not sure he's ever going to get better if I keep on the way I am going with him.

What's insane is the fact that, despite the Bredli, I have plans to get more snakes. I love having them, watching them, even if they aren't something I can play frizzbe with, yaknow. I want to breed my bredli, and see how he turns out. I know I've been bitten by the herp bug, but i'm on an edge here at to what to do.

His 'skin' has become loose yet again, and he will probably shed in the next 3 weeks. The last time he shed, he was crinkley for 3weeks to a month before he actually shed, is that normal?

Thanks again guys..
(Now that i look back, I'm not sure what my question was.)

[tempest]

Hi Sparty,

I'm only a newbie too, I've had my Diamond for 2 months. I've been using a hook to get him out of his enclosure (my viv opens from the top and I need to stand on a chair because it's on a sideboard which makes it quite high so a hook makes it much easier). I don't think there's any probs in hooking them out if that's what you are most comfortable with, it really comes down to the individual.

I was the same as you when I first got Zeph, I was paranoid about being struck and it made me a little apprehensive... which lead me to being really conscious of being struck when I was handling him (not a good thing). The only time he ever tagged me was when he had something stuck on his face that I couldn't blow off and had to wipe off. You know what? It was the best thing that could have ever happened! I knew it wouldn't hurt, after all he's only a few months old but your mind is good at building things up to be much worse than they are!! It didn't hurt at all and now I'm totally relaxed when I handle him.

It's a natural reaction to pull away when they strike but maybe the best thing for you is to get tagged so you don't fear it and become more comfortable when you're handling him? If you keep pulling away out of fear when he strikes he'll pick up on it and soon become aware that if he continues to do it you'll leave him alone, so the best thing to do is to try as hard as you can not to flinch (I know it's hard). The more you handle him the less inclined he should be to strike too as he'll get used to it.

Anyway, that's just my perspective on things, you'll get lots more opinions I'm sure! Bredli's are a great looking snake, I'm sure he'll settle right down with a bit more handling. Good luck!

[BlindSnake]

From the sounds of that shed, your gradient is not sufficiant. If you're using a heat mat it should cover less than half of the tank. (half max)
As far as its behavior goes, he is a tiny snake that is scared of a huge predator. (you) Until you show him that you are a warm, safe place, he will continue to be afraid and defend himself in the only way he can.
If you are afraid to get him out, try putting your hand inside his bag, and lift him out with your covered hand. Then transfer him to your naked hand. (put him on your hand, not your hand on him). This should reduce the fear on both sides. Dont give up and let us know how you go..

[Rennie]

I think the best thing for you is to just stick your hand in there and let it bite you while its still small, show it who's the boss and that you're not scared. If you can't get comfortable handling it before it grows up and possibly reaches its maximum sixe of up to 3 metres then you are going to have big problems and I'd recommend you sell it and get a smaller species.

[shelby]

This might sound like a broken record but I don't feed my pythons in there inclosure at all. I have a seperate large click clack that I feed them in. So because they don't get feed in there enclosure they don't associate me putting my hand in there as food. I bought a 5ft BHP that was snappy, and trust me you want to get them out of the habbit early. With my BHP I started feeding him in a seperate enclosure handling him 15 mins, 4 times a week, and 3 weeks later he was fine. Just persist and you'll get there.

[zen]

I recommend using a snake hook to get it out of the cage and feed it in a seperate container.

Also, its best to not have an opening at the top of its enclosure. It can make them a bit more insecure. Having said that though, I've a few enclosures that are top opening, which doesn't seem to bother my Diamonds, but they are famously placid.

That "crinkly" skin doesn't sound normal or good. Can you post a pic?
It could be dehydration (?). What sort of waterbowl have you got & how deep is it? How often do you change the water?
Can you post a pic of your enclosure?

[Miffy]

When you do manage to get your snake out of the cage, and into your hands move your hands around a bit, enabling the snake to pass through one hand and into the next. Don't just stand there frozen like a branch of a tree.

Get the snake use to your movemement, and the snake will hopefully realise eventually that you are nothing to be scared of.

Also wash your hands before you pick up your snake, as if you have been eating or playing with the dog etc, it might mistake your finger as food. Then wash them after you have finished handling it too (hygiene reasons).

I would also try and handle it more than once a week.

[Ange]

Feeding in a seperate tub is a good idea. My new darwin used to strike everytime but I was worried about breaking his teeth if I used a bag over my hand or pulled away too fast, in the end I thought compared to puppies and kittens a baby snake mouth was quite small so I bit the bullet and closed my eyes each time I got him out ot the enclosure, discovered a tag from a small snake didnt hurt and now we get along just fine!

[alienpunk]

at 7 months, that bite is nothing.....maybe you should encourage the tagging aspect, then you will see its nothing...if you are jumping around gettin scared when he strikes, and he is only 6 or 7 months, than perhaps more snakes is not a good idea...if he tags you several times and realises there's no meal in it, he will chill out....

and you are considering selling the snappy one and getting another...sheesh what happens when the big one tags you?...are ya gonna sell him too....? why did you actually get snakes?...not trolling here just curious cuz it sounds that perhaps your personality doesnt suit getting herps full stop

sounds like guinea pigs might be a good pet for you

if you take the lid off, sit still and put your hand on the outside of the tub, below the line of sight, he will come out eventually and use your hand as a branch...thats how we judge if they are up for a handle....but really man if you are dancing around jerking like an epileptic, that snake is gonna think he has you sorted, and remember he doesnt have much better sight than stevie wonder, and your fear is like curry to a pisshead

Bredli's are awesome, if a 6 month is scaring you, maybe its time to sell them both to an experienced herper....i would take that Bredli if you were in BrisVegas.....at some stage you are going to get tagged, believe me...so if the little fella is scaring ya, DONT GET ANY MORE SNAKES

[Sparty]

Thanks for the constructive opinions, minus the negativity to a first time snake owner ofcourse. Some of us haven't been keeping snakes for 10 years, and perhaps for further reference that might be best kept in mind.

That being said, if you tried to pick up my birds without prior experience, you'd probably lose a finger and be decidedly scared about future experiences. It's all about practice..

Originally Posted by zen

That "crinkly" skin doesn't sound normal or good. Can you post a pic?
It could be dehydration (?). What sort of waterbowl have you got & how deep is it? How often do you change the water?
Can you post a pic of your enclosure?

I change the water 3 times a week or so, it's about an inch deep at all times, the waterbowl is a rough edged feature rock bowl. I'll find you a link if you need, but they are pretty standard.

These first 2 pics show the skin that I've been curious about. When he bends right around, it's obvious that he's either near his shed or lacking in elasticity. And when he's straight it looks almost like the scar tissue pattern of a person who's had a severe burn. (However i picked the more exaggerated pictures.)

He was like this the last time he shed aswell, which leads me to think it's something to do with humidity. However, i have experimented with levels, and none seem to make a difference.

Pics galore mate.



Yes the enclosure is very big for a small snake, but he's shown none of the common behavioural signs of discomfort.

The other pictures and camera don't really do him justice, he's a gorgeous snake. (I swear)

Definately a curious little monkey..

He's perfectly fine when i get him out and onto my hands, despite however much i move my hands around, he will not strike at me or even take an agressive pose. (Unless i bump him on the nose that is)...

Thanks for the suggestions... Hope all those pics work ok.

[greyfox]

thats a nice cage. mines alittle big for my coastal but hes shown no signs of discomfort either but thankfull hes calm and hasnt tryed to bite yet. a newbie question i wanted to ask which i found interesting is does anyone here use acholic hand wash to pick up or after picking up the snake? my local pet shop said i should get some. what do you lot think???

[Mayo]

Greyfox- get reptiwash if you feel the need to buy something

As Shelby said feed in seperate Click Clack, handle 15 mins, 3 times a week, should calm down with time. Also wight be a good idea to give him a swim, will help with shed, and dehydration. You could also try putting a water bowl on the heat mat to increase the humidity

[nightowl]

As was said earlier, make sure you wash your hands before handling any snake. You may have other smells on you from patting a dog or cat, or other animal/bird. It is also good hygeine practice to wash hands between handling each snake.

As far as handling, while it is young the bites don't hurt. It takes a few bites to get used to the shock of the snake striking at you but after a while you'll be fine. If the snake is still snappy at a stage where it is drawing blood, try wearing a pair of riggers gloves to protect your fingers and webbing between your fingers (from experience, when they bite the webbing it doesn't tickle!) Just remember, don't pull back suddenly when the snake strikes as you can damage its teeth.

Good Luck
Shane

[Hetty]

That Bredli is so adorable.

[greyfox]

i was told by my local pet shop to never put a water bowl on the heat mat as the water gets to hot and it wont drink it...