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handling snakes

M

malakai

New member
I posted this question somewhere else.....I'm so new at this.....I really have no clue what I'm doing here.

Here's my question.

I took my Malakai to a vet awhile ago, and he told me that snakes aren't supposed to be handled like pets. They don't bond, they're not pets. I always figured we had bonded.....I used to take him out every night and we'd computer together. He'd wander around a bit snooping and checking things out, then he'd come back to me, wrap himself up in my hair and settle in. I stopped taking him out so much after the vet told me not to handle him, but I feel real guilty. He seemed to be such a *people* snake. He's still real tame, I can stroke his head and chin no problem. How much time does everyone spend with their snakes. I never had a problem with him not eating, or regurgitating because of being handled, and of course, I didn't handle him after he'd eaten. Any advice would really be appreciated.

thanks
Pam
 
Hey there

Well I'm certainly no expert when it comes to snakes but when I first got my guy he was a little scatty. I take him out 2-3 times a week and now he really enjoys coming out and "exploring" his surroundings. I dunno if snakes "bond" like other pets but I'm pretty sure my guy knows I give him his food so there is some sort of a connection there. I think handling as long as its gentle and the snake isnt made to do anything against its will (except maybe not escape) then its beneficial for both owner and snake.
 
Pam,

I am not too sure what your vet meant by "handled like pets". But than again, isn't a snake a pet? :shrugs:

Either way, handling is a sure way of your snake getting to know you, and most importantly getting to trust you. If you did not handle him, he may not be so tame. Or worse, see you as an enemy and strike at you. This is the first time i've heard a vet telling someone not to handle, a tamed snake? You may think you've "bonded", but in a snakes mind.. You are simply someone he can recgnoize (by scent) and trust. I do not think he'd be so tame if you did not handle him.

be prepared for some great advice from these people.. id trust the advice from some of these snake owners who have been, for probably more years than i've been alive.... over just a regular vetinerarian who may know very little about herps.

good luck.
 
I think what the vet meant was just that snakes are not like other pets (and they're not). Snakes are obviously pets, just not the go fetch and play dead kind. I think that after basic husbandry/feeding handling is the next most important thing, I agree with Andrew that if you didn't handle him/her the way you do he/she may not be so docile. Was it a reptile vet you took your snake to? That vet sounds pretty bias. Maybe you should look into getting another one. ;)


---Kenny
 
You should have asked that vet to define 'bonding'! IMO snakes definately recognise and respond differently to different people. My boys all handle my snakes except my bitey ratsnake, but apart from Norwood my anery all the snakes try their best to get back to me when the boys are holding them. Once the snakes are back in my hands they settle down more. The boys all know how to handle them and are calm and gentle with the snakes, but the snakes do show a preference regardless. I wouldn't claim it's any emotional bond, but it's an observerable difference in behaviour, accoording to who's holding them.
 
Definitely go back to handling your snake the way you were. It's important for the snake to get out and get exercise and be familiar with you, as well as for you to have an opportunity to inspect your snake every day! It sounds to me like you and the snake had an excellent relationship. I spend about an hour with most of my snakes when I have them out, but Choco gets extra special treatment because he seems to have such a great time and doesn't get bored or fidgety. He's out every day that he isn't digesting, for two or three hours.

Nanci
 
I say as long as you're snake isn't in distress, have fun. It's pretty easy to tell when they are distressed, relaxed and docile is a good sign. I've also witnessed a people preference in my corn snakes, they try and get to me rather than be held by strangers. Also, if you're nice, the more you hold them the more they are comfortable with it. It it's a normal part of their life they will adapt to it and accept it as normal.
 
Do you mean each time you handle it, or ever? I would think it'd only try a couple times, each time, and probably not continue to bite, with regular handling, after a week or two. It just has to learn to not be afraid of you. You don't put it back immediately after biting, do you? This rewards the snake for poor behavior.

Nanci
 
How old is it? I'd probably work up to about 30 minutes. Longer if the snake eventually relaxes.

Nanci
 
It took about 3 weeks to cure a Columbian rainbow boa I had last summer of it's nasty temper and habit of biting. I handled it every few days but it only bit when I tried to pick it up, after that it was always just fine to move around on me. So I'd pick it up for very short periods for every day for a few weeks just to get it used to being scooped up and it smartened up right away. I'd say not to get discouraged for at least a month. Calmness is also something that comes more with age in a snake.
 
My corn is pretty chilled after about 5 mins of handling then she will just lie on my arm or on my lap or something for a while, she was really scatty the first couple of weeks but now she allows me to "scoop" her out of the viv rather than try to escape or nip me.
 
I handle mine everyday I can. 2 days after feeding no, but other than that
30 min a day minimum per snake. Flame my 05 is so cool now he comes to me
when I open the viv and crawls on my arm to be picked up. He has never bit me, and actually seems disappointed when I put him back. The 2 06's are still a little flighty when first picking them up but relax soon after.
I would say that for MOST corns will react better when gently handled often.
Above all, enjoy them. They are my favorite pet now..
 
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