New Milksnake

[Mads2159]

First of all. Hi to everyone. I have a question please. I bought my milk snake about 2 weeks ago, I handled it at the pet shop and it seemed fine, and the day I brought it home, it bit me. Now I am a bit scared to handle it, it is still very small, about 1.5ft but I don’t want to upset it more by trying to get it used to me handling it. My ball python is very happy with me handling it, but this one seems to freak out when I try to handle it. I know now that the bite is not bad at all and really want to be able to hold it like I do with the python. Can anyone please give me some guidelines on how to go about this little one not freaking out when I pick it up. It urinated on me as well which is some sort of a defence mechanism so obviously it feels threatened. Please can someone help me, or tell me what to do.

[alessia55]

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[Jim Smith]

Welcome to the best reptile forum out there and congratulations on your new milk snake. I wouldn't worry at all about it biting you, especially since it is still very new to you and has yet to be properly acclimated. I would give it a couple of weeks and then start handling it every couple of days. Don't handle it for too long of a period, just until it calms down a bit and sits still in your hand for a minute or so. Then gently place it back in its enclosure. It should get used to you handling it and realize that you are not a threat to it which is the only reason it would attempt to bite you in the first place. Milk snakes are great starter snakes and other than being a little shy, make excellent long term pets. Good luck and please post a photo as soon as you're able to.

[Saber402]

Ditto on Jim's comments.

Don't let getting bit keep you from handling your snake. Taking an occasional bite is part of having reptiles. Plus, for the most part it's not that bad. More shocking at first than painful. When you go to pick up your snake try to scoop him up from the back or side rather than put your hand in his face. If he does bite you don't put him down. If you go ahead and pick him up anyway he will learn you are not a threat. If you withdraw and do not pick him up after a strike or bite he will quickly learn how to keep you away.

Good luck!

[Mads2159]

Thank you very much for the advise. I will add photos to my profile and post as soon as I have figured out how everything works. Thanks again.

[drumcrush]

Hello, welcome! You should post pics of your milk! ....when it's not biting you that is lol everyone on here has great advise. After a while, it should calm down. My king used to be all over the place as a baby, now she is a doll!

[sharthun]

Ditto on Jim's and Saber's comments. It's all about confidence and patience!:)


Ditto on Jim's comments.

Don't let getting bit keep you from handling your snake. Taking an occasional bite is part of having reptiles. Plus, for the most part it's not that bad. More shocking at first than painful. When you go to pick up your snake try to scoop him up from the back or side rather than put your hand in his face. If he does bite you don't put him down. If you go ahead and pick him up anyway he will learn you are not a threat. If you withdraw and do not pick him up after a strike or bite he will quickly learn how to keep you away.

Good luck!

[sharthun]

Oh I forgot, Hey and Welcome! post some pics after you have reached 5 posts on the forums.:)

[Mads2159]

LOL funny Drumcrush. I have attached some pics of Toothless(Ball Python) and Milk (Still nameless) Hope you can see them.

[sharthun]

LOL funny Drumcrush. I have attached some pics of Toothless(Ball Python) and Milk (Still nameless) Hope you can see them.

Beautiful snakes!! My mbk bit me twice when she was young. If they do bite,like stated previously, don't panic and put them back in their enclosure right away. They learn that you aren't going to eat or harm them and calm down.:)

[MizCandice]

Welcome Mads! They are both lovely :) and I support the previously given advice 100%.. they definitely benefit from an acclimation period with very little bothering, so they can feel secure in their new world.

[drumcrush]

LOL funny Drumcrush. I have attached some pics of Toothless(Ball Python) and Milk (Still nameless) Hope you can see them.

Lol lovely snakes!

[sharthun]

LOL funny Drumcrush. I have attached some pics of Toothless(Ball Python) and Milk (Still nameless) Hope you can see them.

Both El Ziggy and Drumcrush are very good at naming these guys!:)