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Help!!! Snakesitting an aggressive one!!!

T

thecheesylittlerat

New member
Hello!!!

I am snakesitting a friend's snake while he is away for a few months. The snake is 7 years old. He always rattles his tail at me, and when I pick him up all he's interested in is trying to get away. A few days ago when I tried to move him from his holding container back to his cage, he bit me. I'm not scared of him or anything and the bite hardly hurt ay all, but is there anything I can do to calm this guy down? Is he too old and set in his ways or is there a chance?

When my friend bought him to me 2 weeks ago, he only had one small hidey place and a very small water dish (about 5" x 1"). So yesterday I went out and bought him another larger hidey place, some foliage so he can hide, and a water dish actually large enough for him to soak in. Hopefully the Feng Shui method (haha!) will calm him a little.

I already have a 1 year old striped corn who is very calm, as a matter of fact, when I put my hand into the tank, mine will actually crawl onto my hand. I'm just not familiar with aggressive behavior.

I would be grateful for any suggestions! :shrugs:

Thank you!
 
Daily short handling sessions should help calm even an aggressive or timid snake. Usually if you can, just letting them go thru your hands until they calm and slow down is enough. Once they reach the point that they are calming in your hands, return it to the enclosure. It will eventually catch on that it isn't so bad and that it will get back to where it wants to be if it justs mellows a bit. My one Okeetee didn't calm down until recently and she's almost 3 years old. It's only been in the last couple of months that she stopped tail rattling, musking and striking when you take her out. Be persistant and gentle and I suspect the snake will eventually calm down. I've also found that if I get them out when they are laying on the cool side, they generally move a little slower than if they are well-warmed from laying over the UTH. You might try waiting until he's on the cool side and then take him out when he's slightly more sluggish.
 
I think he just doesn't know you. Keep handling him daily, and give him a chance to get used to you. He'll eventually calm down.
 
OK, I'm gonna admit that the two previous posters probably have more experience than I, but I have to say that I'm not sure I agree with their advice. I think I would give your "guest" snake more of a chance to settle in. Is he in his own viv or did you put him in one of your own vivs? You mentioned you changed up his environment some. I think if you handle a frightened snake day after day, you can end up with a traumatized snake.

I would be inclined to give him at minimum a week to 10 days to settle in. For the first three days, I would leave him completely undisturbed. For the next three or four days I would let him see you, but not handle him. After a week, try handling him. If he shows excessive fear, give him another three days before handling again. Gradually build up handling time.

Needless to say, but I will say it anyway, all of this needs to be tried while maintaining proper environment/temperatures and not handling for 48 hours after feeding.
 
I agree with you Bill38112, however, it had sounded in the post as if the snake had been in their care for a while and the snake was still acting aggressively. They stated that the snake had been there for 2 weeks and that they had changed the cage back then. I think it's just a squirrely snake that hasn't been handled enough.
 
You might want to try putting in a piece of clothing that has your sent on it for a few days. This might get the snake adjusted to your smell. I have read about this method in other posts and it usually gets good results. Just my 2 cents...
 
"sent"... sorry. I do email support for a living, so I live and think in terms of inbox, all documents, and sent views... :)
 
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