Will this help him adjust to me?

CosmicOwl · 11-21-13, 07:09 PM

Currently, I have two snakes: a 3(going on 4) year old gold dust corn snake and an approximately 3-4 month old grey rat snake. My corn snake is a mellow guy. He's never struck at me or shown any signs of aggression. I don't think he's even given me tail rattle. I can work in his terrarium and he will just sit there and watch me. He'll track my movement, but never makes any attempts to run away or hide. I think he's pretty well adjusted to my presence and doesn't view me as a threat.

My new baby grey rat snake, like many baby snakes, is terrified of everything... Considering he is so small, squirmy and frightened, I don't feel like handling him. I'd rather not put him through the stress. However, I was wondering if I could just get him adjusted to my presence. Could spending 10-15 minutes everyday with my hands in the cage slowly get him to realize that I am not a threat? Or do I have to more actively handle him? Or should I just wait until he is a year or so old, and has some size, before attempting to handle him? What to you guys think?

formica · 11-21-13, 08:18 PM

how long have you had him? I would suggest the first few weeks should be minimal interaction, just keep his enclosure clean, water changed, and feed him.

then try some interaction, just pick him up, and hold him for a minute, dont restrain him, just let him move from hand to hand, if he's hissy, then wait until he stops hissing before putting him back. do that every couple of days, and gradually increase handling time, he'll soon relax i'm sure.

If he is really scared, and you cant get hold of him, dont chase him around the enclosure, take it more slowly, keep up with cleaning and stuff and wait till he starts to get used to you a bit more, if he's particularly timid then sum times its a good idea to make contact more slowly over a longer peroid of time...play it by ear, as they say.

either way no i wouldnt wait till he's a year old, the earlier they are handled the better generally

Mikoh4792 · 11-21-13, 08:21 PM

I think it can go both ways. I've been working with several defensive snakes now and different methods have worked for each of them. With my male bci I would handle him every few days and he eventually calmed down. Doesn't bite at all now and I would consider him to be a lap snake.

My hatchling jungle used to bite at everything, but I am doing a hands-off approach for him just to experiment. So far he's been calming down. Doesn't strike out anymore unless he gets startled(when my skin rubs against his sides).

CosmicOwl · 11-22-13, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

how long have you had him? I would suggest the first few weeks should be minimal interaction, just keep his enclosure clean, water changed, and feed him.

then try some interaction, just pick him up, and hold him for a minute, dont restrain him, just let him move from hand to hand, if he's hissy, then wait until he stops hissing before putting him back. do that every couple of days, and gradually increase handling time, he'll soon relax i'm sure.

If he is really scared, and you cant get hold of him, dont chase him around the enclosure, take it more slowly, keep up with cleaning and stuff and wait till he starts to get used to you a bit more, if he's particularly timid then sum times its a good idea to make contact more slowly over a longer peroid of time...play it by ear, as they say.

either way no i wouldnt wait till he's a year old, the earlier they are handled the better generally

I've had him for 2 weeks. I've tried to limit my interaction with him to just feeding and cleaning out his tub.

I wouldn't say he is defensive. The most I get out of him is a little tail rattle; he doesn't try to strike me. Rather, he just attempts to escape anytime I come near him. And the few times I've picked him up, he's done everything he can to get away. He's very quick.

Hurrok · 11-22-13, 01:00 AM

While handling, just handle him by guiding him through your hands... Kind of like stairs, putting one hand in front of the other while he slithers forward. I find handing should be kept to a minimum at first so they can get to know your scent and to get used to just that: handling. Depending on how the handling session goes you can up the time, but don't worry about keeping track too specifically, just see how it goes

The best thing that I've noticed with some of my squirmy guys is handling but also putting the snake away while it is still a good experience for him. Ending on a good note goes well for both you and your little work. Confidence is a big step for you as well, don't be afraid

Try to be calm and relaxed too, snakes are pretty sensitive to people's energies and tend to react accordingly. My boyfriend has high energy and one of my bps always tries to bite him because of it, but with me, as long as I'm calm and confident, she's just fine

Good luck with him, I'm sure he will come around!

SnakeyJay · 11-22-13, 04:02 AM

Him trying to escape and panicking is defensive behaviour, so id say he's defensive lmao... goodluck.

CosmicOwl · 12-01-13, 05:28 PM

Well, I had an odd idea. Since he's terrified of me when I try to pick him up, I decided to make myself a little tool. I took a plastic coated paperclip and bent it into the shape of a tiny snake hook, then I taped that to bamboo skewer. I used this little hook to gently pick him up; he didn't try to get away at all. Then I gently set him down in my hand and he was climbing around a bit. I think this is going to help a lot. Once he gets used to my hands, I think I'll try to pick him up with them, inside of a tool.

Robin.M · 12-01-13, 05:36 PM

In my experience; don't handle any new snake for 4 weeks after acquiring it. Don't feed for 2 weeks after acquiring it.

Using snake hooks isn't an odd idea. It's been around for years, and years, and year. Most people spend the $40 or so for an actual snake hook though.

Rob

CosmicOwl · 12-01-13, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pure Boa

In my experience; don't handle any new snake for 4 weeks after acquiring it. Don't feed for 2 weeks after acquiring it.

Using snake hooks isn't an odd idea. It's been around for years, and years, and year. Most people spend the $40 or so for an actual snake hook though.

Rob

It wasn't using a snake hook itself that seemed odd to me; making a tiny one out of a paperclip did.