Aussie Pythons and Snakes

Melanie · #1 05-May-08, 08:42 PM

Hi All,

I purchased a beautiful Carpet python of 4 months at the Castle Hill show but he's very bitey

I understand I need to give him a couple of weeks to allow him to settle but I would like to know the best way of handeling him once he has settled in.

I don't want him to get scared and hurt himself!

Random advice also appreciated.

Melanie

jase75 · #2 05-May-08, 08:50 PM

My Childrens was the same when he was young.I let him settle in for a few weeks and then started getting him out for 10 to 15 mins every nite. I wouldnt actually hold him at first but just let him crawl around on my legs while i was sitting down. I think that helps them get used to being around you. After a few nites of doing that i would start to handle him a bit and let him just crawl through my hands. After a few weeks he was fine and now handles really well. Just make sure u dont make any fast movements rite in front of his head and dont restrain him just let him crawl through ur hands and basically go where he wants.Im sure he will settle down after a week or 2. Good luck keep us updated.

Miss Morph-lette · #3 05-May-08, 08:50 PM

Get a hook to get him out of his enclosure. Hold the tail end to support him and keep the hook handy to move his head away from you if you feel nervous about him maybe biting you (keep his head higher than his body to make him feel more comfortable) You can also wear some gardening gloves so that if he does bite then you probably won't jerk away and possibly damage his teeth.
If he does manage to bite you, I read on a thread a few days ago that if you blow on them, snakes will let go, but I've never tried it... if you try it, let me know how it goes!

mick_304 · #4 05-May-08, 09:19 PM

just handle with respect if you get bitten just take it, it doesnt hurt anyway, also by using a hook on a hatchie it may get flighty and fly off the hook and hurt it self. so i would just give it awhile to carm down then handle for small periods of time it should eventually calm down.

Melanie · #5 05-May-08, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the advice Jase! Right now I'm being watched by him. He seems to be more relaxed then he was when I had to change his flooring (he wiggled his hide box off the heat mat side and moved the paper towel with him

) He doesn't seem to mind me too much when I'm not touching him but he freaks out when my partner comes into the room! I'll have to snake proof my room before I let him out though... That may be a challenge.

My little one doesn't seem to like the hook, he's very good at escaping from it. I'll have to try your technique Miss Morph-lette. I'll make sure to keep the snake close to the ground when using the hook until he's used to it thanks Mick.

I was under the impression that it was a bad idea to wear gloves as even though you might not pull back, the snake might pull back and rip the teeth out that may still trapped in the fabric.

Cheers

Melanie

Yann · #6 05-May-08, 10:59 PM

Hi...

It's only a baby, it's hungry and scared...

Give it some time to settle, feed it and avoid the hook.... Big cold piece of steel against warm hand: what would you pick if you were a snake?
Take the bite, it doesn't hurt... Don't wear gloves as you won't be able to control the pressure on the snake and you will hurt it... Don't pull away if you get bitten, you may hurt your baby. And this way you'll get used to it... wait until it's a few years old and the bite will feel a lot different...!!

I don't know if it's your first snake, but the fundamentals are: small enclosure, a place to hide, watch your temperatures and feed it quality food. Within a few weeks or months (be patient, your snake will live for 20 years!) it will be a loving pet...!

You will find a lot of help here... There is no stupid question and experienced keepers and breeders will be more than happy to help...
A confident keeper makes a healthy snake!

Best of luck, I hope you enjoyed the show...!

Talk soon,

Yann.

kakariki · #7 05-May-08, 11:02 PM

At 4 months of age he is unable to hurt you so ignore him. Our bredlis were bitey when little. We found the more we handled, the better they got. Even the coastal we recently bought is not biting as much. [ He is a small 2 yo ] The Jungle is a whole different case though. We use gloves for her. She is 2 yo, about 3 1/2 ft long and bites. I can't say that she's getting better, she doesn't hiss as much but she is still biting as much. Now SHE'S scary!!

Melanie · #8 07-May-08, 08:27 PM

My little one must be hungry, he ate last on the 24 April. I'm going to purchase some pinkies tomorrow and see if he takes one. Hopefully he will feel safe and eat it... and keep it down...

How long should you wait before handling a snake once it's eaten?

Yes Yann, he is my first. I have a little click clack with a hide box, water bowl and heat mat.

Hopefully, there won't be many bites from him when he's older

Thanks again,
Melanie

Jewly · #9 07-May-08, 08:50 PM

Melanie,

I got my first snake on Friday and I must be really lucky cause she has settled in so well. I've handled her now a few times and she's never once tried to strike out at me. She loves sliding around my face, neck and ears and she often tickles me with her tongue. I'd just try and go slowly with your little one and let him/her get used to you and I'm sure before long she will stop trying to bite you. I did read that some snakes don't like strong perfume, so maybe give it a miss for a bit if you do wear perfume.

I fed my little one for the first time on Monday and I didn't attempt to touch her again until tonight cause she made it very clear that she wanted to be left alone. She didn't try to bite or anything but she was being very anti-social and kept retreating into her hide anytime I came near her enclosure.

From what I've read and been told by other snake keepers is that every snake is different. I chose to put my little one straight into her larger enclosure (24" x 18" x 18") and she seems to love it. I have a few hides in there and one is large enough for her to lie on and I often see her just sitting there warming herself under the light.

Good luck and hope your little one calms down soon.

Julie

pseudechis4740 · #10 07-May-08, 09:48 PM

Congrats on your firstsnake.
Dont try to quieten him down too quickly he will grow out of this habit as he becomes familiar with you. The reason for this is because you want him to be good feeder and if he looses the interest to strike too early this will make feeding more difficult.
Bites from juvies dont hurt they are similar to light scratch from a cat but just try not to flinch too much if/when he bites because teeth may dislodge opening the way for mouth infections.

swaddo · #11 07-May-08, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kakariki

At 4 months of age he is unable to hurt you so ignore him. Our bredlis were bitey when little. We found the more we handled, the better they got. Even the coastal we recently bought is not biting as much. [ He is a small 2 yo ] The Jungle is a whole different case though. We use gloves for her. She is 2 yo, about 3 1/2 ft long and bites. I can't say that she's getting better, she doesn't hiss as much but she is still biting as much. Now SHE'S scary!!

lol, jungles are fun ...