best way to handle a snake

stesmith · #1 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:16 AM

i've recently bought a CRB. i dont think the girl who i bought it off had the viv set up right as with what she gave me i can only get the viv to be around 22C at the hot end. since then i bought another mat and have the temps around 30C in the day and 25C in the night. the humidity is spot on, around 70-80%. since i have added the extra heat the snake seems to be a lot harder to handle and active - which i would expect.

and since adding the extra heat she has also become more snappy.
as the viv is an old fish tank with a lift up lid, i find it difficult to take her out of the viv. as soon as i touch her she hurries off quite quickly and most of the time up the side of the viv and tries to get out. and if i touch her she moves even quicker and has nearly escaped. i dont want to grab her as im afraid of hurting her, but when i reach into the viv she curls up ready to strike and quite often does. on the odd occasion i have managed to handle her she seems ok, its just the intial getting her out of the viv. she is tame once out of the viv but seems to be uncomfortable and wants to get back in the viv.

whats the best way to get her out of the viv?

*H* · #2 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:28 AM

How old is she? You'll need to earn her trust, it's sounds as though she's scared, you'll have to be patient with her untill she learns that your not a predator.
She would have become more active now she's being kept at the correct heat, cold snakes are quiet snakes.
The best way is to just get her out for a few minutes at a time, increasing it as time goes on. If she tries to bite you, don't put her back, she will think she's scared you off and will learn by that. The best way to get her out is to let her know your there, just incase she's asleep, and pick her straight up. You would probably get on better with a side opening viv, to a snake if something comes from above its usually a predator.

stesmith · #3 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:31 AM

thanks H. i get the feeling off her that she is scared if you know what i mean. iv only had her a week. il just have to keep trying with her if she carries on snapping she will have to go.

*H* · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:35 AM

Colombians as babies and as sub adults can be a bit snappy. But they do eventually calm down,and once they do they make amazing pets. I have 4, one even came in as an adult and would bite at anything that moved near him, but with alot of work and patience he's calmed right down and is now a lovely placid snake. It does take time, and effort but it will pay off in the end and you'll have yourself a great pet.

Furrag · #5 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:35 AM

I'm always funny how I go about getting corns out of tubs, simply because the tubs are so small, it's hard not to feel like you're threatening them.

When you come into the tubs, you're either coming in from above just like a bird, or you'll most likely be cornering them, and both can trigger a defensive response.

Even with the corns, I'll either use a paper towel substrate so I can pick the towel up with them in it like a hoist, or with aspen, so I can come underneath with a snake hook (or even a bent coat hanger hook) or a pencil and lift them up very slightly and to create a small loop to which I can pick them up.

BETAULSTER · #6 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:37 AM

ive always found the best way to lift a snake out is just put your hand in confidently and gently lift out, dont hesitate! The more you hesitate and touch them before lifting just freaks them out more, all snakes are different, my milk tries to get away when i 1st touch him but i just lift him on out and he calms down very quickly.

stesmith · #7 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:37 AM

never thought about the coat hanger idea, its just the initial picking her up thats the hard part. the viv doesnt hep i think

stesmith · #8 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:39 AM

i think im a bit nervous about gettin bit, even though i dont think it will hurt coz she is only little, at 1 yr old. i think confidence with her is the key as its my first snake.

BETAULSTER · #9 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stesmith

i think im a bit nervous about gettin bit, even though i dont think it will hurt coz she is only little, at 1 yr old. i think confidence with her is the key as its my first snake.

I was exactly the same with my 1st snake! Just keep at it and 1 day you will put your hand in to lift him and you wont even think about getting bit!

*H* · #10 (**permalink**) 19-01-2008, 03:47 AM

If it's any help to you even a bite off of an adult will not hurt as much as you think, at that age, it'll sting a little but thats about it. Have you ever been bit by a hamster? A bite off of a fully grown boa is no where near as painful as a hamster!
She would be able to sense your nerves and that would make her more nervous, and your right confidence is the key, the more you hesitate, the more 'on guard' she's going to be.
I was just as wary as you when I first got into snake keeping, I used to hesitate before picking them up, was so nervous about being bit, more about what it would feel like, and then it happened and I wondered what all the fuss was about..lol I felt a right prat to be honest, and now I just go and pick them up regardless, and funny enough since I've got over the fear of being bit, I haven't been bit

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