Handling problems

electrochix · 03-24-04, 11:09 AM

I have a young Sinaloan milksnake, about 3 months old. when i first got him he was a joy to handle but a problem feeder. now he feeds fine but won't let me handle him.

I've been trying to handle him 1-2 times a week. he's been great until last week when he launch himself out of my hands and made a run for it. when i picked him up again he musked me, which he has never done before. I left him for a few days and tried again. this time he bit me twice.

i had to put him back in his tank as i was scared of dropping him and losing him. there's loads of places in my room he can hide. now even if i see him out in his enclosure and try to touch him he instantly tries to bite. what could have happened in the space of 2 weeks to turn him vicious? do i just have to put up with the pain of being bit and hold him until he gives up?

UpscaleBoas · 03-24-04, 11:12 AM

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electrochix · 03-24-04, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UpscaleBoas
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snakehunter · 03-24-04, 12:01 PM

Some just dont like to be handled. My 1.0 western hog is a dream to handle, but my 0.1 is a devil, and strikes at anything she sees no joke, she strikes a books and all kinds of INANIMATE objects! It may go away it may not, its hard to tell

vanderkm · 03-24-04, 12:54 PM

Milksnakes are often very active, and somewhat defensive when young. They are fast moving and don't hesitate to bite, even though the bites don't hurt, they can suprise you and don't make it much fun to hold the snake. It could be a very small incident that frightened your guy and every bad handling session just reinforces that it is not fun. Fortunately they do calm down with age.

We have found the 'towel method' works well for handling our baby hondurans. I handle them a couple times a week by picking them up firmly around their middle section and putting them inside the folds of a terry towel that is laid on a smooth surface (like a table or the floor) so they won't fall and I can catch them if they get away.

I don't touch them with my hands, just hold them through the folds of the towel - they like to bury their heads in the towel and crawl around through it. You can just let them crawl back and forth and they don't seem as frightened if you aren't directly touching them. You can gradually restrain them more all the time.

In the towel, it doesn't matter if they musk or bite. I avoid touching their heads and tails - those are more sensitive - and gradually they get used to being out, being touched directly more often and pretty soon they are quite tame.

Good luck with your little guy - i am sure he will settle down with persistent, gentle handling.

mary v.

electrochix · 03-24-04, 02:02 PM

thanks mary. will give that a try. just surprised that he's been fine till last week. when i got him he was a pleasure to hold and all of a sudden he's not up for it at all.

marisa · 03-24-04, 02:08 PM

Welcome to owning a milksnake. That is just the way they are. Some take until they are a bit older to calm down. Don't worry about him biting you, it won't hurt especially if he is a baby. Just keep up regular handling so long as he is still eating good.

marisa

lostwithin · 03-24-04, 02:19 PM

Hey, well I only own Boids so I can't say I've dealt with that species specifically, but from what I read do you think its possible he’s going into shed? Allot of the time my snakes attitudes change drastically as they enter shed mainly I would assume because they cannot see as well. Some of my very tame snakes will turn defensive until the shed is over, the only other thing I can think of is that some times snakes just are moody, lol, I have one snake that is almost always very tame, will actually crawl up my arm when I reach into the cage, just because he loves too get out. Then occasionally he hisses and tries too scare me off for no apparent reason who knows what actually puts a snake into a “bad mood” . Good Luck with him,
Devon

electrochix · 03-24-04, 03:48 PM

he shed a couple of weeks ago and ichecked his eyes. he's definatley not in shed mode. in fact, when i handled him a couple of weeks ago i never noticed he was in shed mode for about 5 minutes and could hold him fine. he didn't seem bothered. i obviously put him back as soon as i realised but it's strange he was ok then and not ok now.

KingFfaj · 03-25-04, 09:55 AM

just go in there and show him whos boss

if he bites or musks, dont put him back coz then he has won, and will most likly do it the next time. Just keep a paper towle handy

Also its better to get bitern know then when he's 4'
At least its not such a shock if he does try to kiss you