I've been bit! - Page 2

stephanbakir · 05-24-11, 10:07 AM

What your are referring to is an aggressive feeding response, and that's totally normal. Hook training will solve that problem. regarding feeding every 7-8 days building trust??? how does that work.

SnakeyJay · 05-24-11, 10:09 AM

Sorry nos but ive got to ask, how does feeding every 7-8 days build more trust in comparison to every 10? Or obviously more regular intervals for young snakes on smaller prey...

belovedboas · 05-24-11, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Feeding in or out of the enclosure will have NO EFFECT on how the snake reacts. And they are defensive rather than aggresive when they bite us.

100% agreed

Oh and I don't think how often you feed has any impact on building trust

Nobodyspecial · 05-24-11, 10:22 AM

It was a defensive strike, and like I said I was really asking for it messing with the substrate so close to him while he was out. I found out his limits, and I going to do everything I can to make sure he never feels like he has to do it again.

I do feed him out of his tank, merely for the substrate reason he drags his mice around a lot while he's eating it so I don't know if just putting a paper towel down would be enough to stop him from ingesting some. Would he relax more if I fed him like this instead of taking him out and putting him into a separate tub?

Really I'm not bothered by being bitten, more by the fact that he'd ever feel the need too. Body language I've been researching since before I ever got him so I could get that all figured out but I guess a lot of the fine details of that is going to come with experience and getting to know him better. Handling is what I think I have to most issues with, I usually sit down with him on the floor or the couch with no other people or animals in the room. I'm terrified he'll wiggle out of my hands and I'll drop and injure him. He really doesn't like to wrap around my hand or arm to help steady himself so it gets a bit awkward when he starts trying to move around lol. >:

Ah bunch of posts before I could respond lol! I am curious too though how feeding regularly could help establish trust. I really don't think the snake would ever make the connection to you and how often it eats.

stephanbakir · 05-24-11, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobodyspecial

I do feed him out of his tank, merely for the substrate reason he drags his mice around a lot while he's eating it so I don't know if just putting a paper towel down would be enough to stop him from ingesting some. Would he relax more if I fed him like this instead of taking him out and putting him into a separate tub?

Really I'm not bothered by being bitten, more by the fact that he'd ever feel the need too. Body language I've been researching since before I ever got him so I could get that all figured out but I guess a lot of the fine details of that is going to come with experience and getting to know him better. Handling is what I think I have to most issues with, I usually sit down with him on the floor or the couch with no other people or animals in the room. I'm terrified he'll wiggle out of my hands and I'll drop and injure him. He really doesn't like to wrap around my hand or arm to help steady himself so it gets a bit awkward when he starts trying to move around lol. >:

Regarding substrate, does he like to climb? another way you can do it is put him on a branch and the food below him, some snakes will eat from branches and pull the food up to them, much lower substrate ingestion risk, even then though eating a little substrate generally isn't that bad.

Regarding dropping him, don't worry about it that much it's harder then you think to drop a snake. The more you handle him the more accustomed you will be to his movements and the less likely you are to make a mistake.
the bright side is for the most part all snakes move generally the same way when it comes to general movement, so you are not only learning how to handle this snake but most snakes. Some like retics and colubrids are generally more energetic then others and some snakes specifically arboreals and snakes that like climbing will wrap themselves around you at all times, even then moving from point A to point B they will have a coil or two around you.

Nobodyspecial · 05-24-11, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Regarding substrate, does he like to climb? another way you can do it is put him on a branch and the food below him, some snakes will eat from branches and pull the food up to them, much lower substrate ingestion risk, even then though eating a little substrate generally isn't that bad.

Regarding dropping him, don't worry about it that much it's harder then you think to drop a snake. The more you handle him the more accustomed you will be to his movements and the less likely you are to make a mistake.
the bright side is for the most part all snakes move generally the same way when it comes to general movement, so you are not only learning how to handle this snake but most snakes. Some like retics and colubrids are generally more energetic then others and some snakes specifically arboreals and snakes that like climbing will wrap themselves around you at all times, even then moving from point A to point B they will have a coil or two around you.

He really does love to climb. I usually see him on his branch when he's not in one of his hides. That's seriously worth a try I wonder if he'll take it. Thanks for the suggestion. :'D

And that is good to know with the handling, hopefully he'll put up with me until we get more used to each other. And just in the past few months I have gotten a bit more comfortable with his movements and body language. I kinda feel bad now. I wish I could of volunteered at a reptile rescue or someplace before I got him, so he wouldn't have to deal with the learning process on my end. haha.

stephanbakir · 05-24-11, 11:41 AM

He puts up with your handling and you pick up his poop and throw it away, fair trade:P

Nos · 05-24-11, 02:31 PM

not saying that feeding him every 7-8 days is better then every 10 days just saying to keep it regular. my buddy has a ball and he moved away from here up north, he was feeding it every 8 days and then changed its feeding pattern. he moved where its harder to buy the feeders he was telling me that he feeds his two rats every like 15-20 days.

Im just saying if he keeps it regular then his ball will be more used to the routine and less likely to get stressed.

Nobodyspecial · 05-24-11, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

He puts up with your handling and you pick up his poop and throw it away, fair trade:P

Yup fair enough. XD

And I do have a specific feeding day for him. He's only skipped two meals since I've gotten him. Its tomorrow night actually. So I'll put some paper towels in his tank and see if he'll be happier eating inside the tank from now on. If his rats get here on time anyways. >>