Help!

[ManaDoll]

I just bought a few months old Hognose today, apparently the previous owner claims she's the sweetest snake possible, but everytime I try to pick her up she snaps at me and hisses loudly. I don't know if it's because she's supposed to shed soon, or that she's still getting used to me, but I don't know what to do to make her feel more comfortable, her tank is set up good for her and i've done what the previous owner did with she had everything set up. She says she loves to be handled, but from what I can see, she's pretty snappy.. help! I don't want to haveto re-sell her.

[infernalis]

Stop all handling for at least a week minimum.

Your new snake needs to settle in to the new surroundings.

sSnakeSs.com - Rules (http://www.ssnakess.com/index.php?page=rules)

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[ManaDoll]

will she be better afterwards?

[NennaMeerkat]

I just bought a few months old Hognose today, apparently the previous owner claims she's the sweetest snake possible, but everytime I try to pick her up she snaps at me and hisses loudly. I don't know if it's because she's supposed to shed soon, or that she's still getting used to me, but I don't know what to do to make her feel more comfortable, her tank is set up good for her and i've done what the previous owner did with she had everything set up. She says she loves to be handled, but from what I can see, she's pretty snappy.. help! I don't want to haveto re-sell her.

I cannot help but laugh..but good naturedly. Any snake that is in a new home might be nervous of their surroundings! It is best to give your new snake a week by itself in its home before you do ANYTHING. She won't even eat for you if you don't give her time to relax. I am also the owner of a young hognose and trust me they are great gentle snakes. However as a young snake they sometimes have attitudes, but they are bluffers. The "striking" she is doing along with the hissing is her way of saying Leave Me Alone! So trust me, just put her in her home, let her get used to her home. After a week, try and feed her like her previous owner did. After she eats for you several times in a row (I would say 4 times) then you can start handling her and letting her get used to you. Also don't worry if she doesn't eat even after the first week. Snakes can go months and months without food.

[KrazyKat]

I could not add to either of those ^ experts' advice! You'll see, after she's settled in she'll be a "whole new" snake, I bet ;) Best of luck, and welcome to the forum! :)

[Coffee Black]

I agree. Give all snakes a bit of cool down time when you bring them home. I've never been a hognose owner but I had a friend who is a huge fan of them. From what I have seen they are all a bunch of famous actors. Lots of puffing and hissing and mock striking. My friend had one that would strike at him every time he opened the cage but it was never EVER open mouthed. More like a head butt.

[NennaMeerkat]

I agree. Give all snakes a bit of cool down time when you bring them home. I've never been a hognose owner but I had a friend who is a huge fan of them. From what I have seen they are all a bunch of famous actors. Lots of puffing and hissing and mock striking. My friend had one that would strike at him every time he opened the cage but it was never EVER open mouthed. More like a head butt.

Yeah they are great headbutters. They also are great mock cobras with they way they flatten out their heads and necks. Sometimes they will shake their tails like little rattlesnakes. Big fat fakers, all to just get you to leave them alone. So cute when the snake is barely bigger than a pencil.