someone said to me they pikc up on hesisation. so the best thing is to be confident, deliberate and calm.

it's like with cats, until you've been bitten you're weary about them. my OH can't pick up our fiesty cat cause he'snot sure what he'll do whereas i don't are if he bites me cause i just pin him down and show him who's in charge.

my snake is new and i ahven't been bitten yet so i'm still wearing gloves cause i'm slightlly weary about him!

get some leather gloves or something, you'll feel much better about picking him up. i do!

 

I think all animals can sense fear.

Your own personal confidence will instill confidence in your animal, and make the whole event less stressful.

 

So just wondering if a snake knows your worried?

It will if you're doing things like moving your hand close, thinking "oh, he's making his neck S up a bit, I'll just pull back", moving close again, back and forth.... the movement will agitate the snake because you're not giving clear "person picking you up now" signals. Your hand is behaving like a prey animal at that point, by the way.

And yes, a snake can learn that making certain gestures with its body (like the S curve, or shrugging at you, or gaping and hissing) gets the big scary monkey to stop sticking its fingers in the snake's face, too...

 

It will if you're doing things like moving your hand close, thinking "oh, he's making his neck S up a bit, I'll just pull back", moving close again, back and forth.... the movement will agitate the snake because you're not giving clear "person picking you up now" signals. Your hand is behaving like a prey animal at that point, by the way.

And yes, a snake can learn that making certain gestures with its body (like the S curve, or shrugging at you, or gaping and hissing) gets the big scary monkey to stop sticking its fingers in the snake's face, too...

Dude, I'm beginning to love you :notworthy:

As well as all the above, consider that when your body language gives away your fears, the animal then considers that there is something in the room to be fearfull of..................... not for one moment considering that its actually them., so get defensive because theres something to be fearfull about.
Catch 22 :lol2:

This is all true, and well put pam!! : victory:

 

as well as the above... your movements will be different if scared - more 'angular' and jerky. moving smoothly and slowly is good as a lot of their vision is based on movement.

that also works with wild common lizards!

 

As well as all the above, consider that when your body language gives away your fears, the animal then considers that there is something in the room to be fearfull of..................... not for one moment considering that its actually them., so get defensive because theres something to be fearfull about.
Catch 22 :lol2:

 

Never thought about it like that, good point!

 

The snake is noticing your hesitation. its learning that if it bites then you will leave it alone. also its noticing your lack of confidence and is taking over as 'boss' the snake is now controlling your movements through your fear. best thing to do is just put your hand in and pick him up, wear gloves and if it bites you again you can ignor it. it will soon learn that biting has no effect and wil give up

 

It is more about hesitation than fear.

Pick the snake up in one continuous but gentle movement.

I find that if I tap them 3 times gently with a hook, then hook them out they are calm and will not associate you with food.

Also you can get the head pointing away from you.

I also do believe they can "scent" fear as we produce a hormone they can pick up on BUT it is probably more about too much movement around them which prompts a bite of flight response and where can they "fly" to in an enclosed viv?

Leather gloves will give you confidence BUT take care with damaging the snake's mouth and teeth-so it is better to avoid a bite even if your hands are protected.

Try to be confident and I am sure things will settle down.

I have literally this week found that one of my really aggressive ratsnakes has now calmed down to the extent that he no longer gets into strike postion and no longer bumps or bites

It took a while and some days I just could not face getting him out and getting another bite and was tempted to move him on but I persisted and it worked and now enjoy him so much.

He is a different animal and an absolte pleasure to be around.

Take care and feel free to PM me of you want some more advice.

Regards,

Rob

 

Thanks all
He does often go into the 'S' bend when hes out which makes me worried and want to put him back straight away.

I got a hook the other day and now hook him out some of the time.
And to be fair the last time he bit me was a feeding thing so I dont blame him for that. Its not even the actual bite im scared of, its how quick he is...
I would prefer not to use gloves as I want to feel the snake and so he knows my scent.

Maybe im just a wuss :whistling2: :Na_Na_Na_Na:

 

i know they can smell fear

 

I dont want to hijack this thread, but I do have a question... IF a snake (young Royal in my case) bites, is it likely to hang on? Or is it more of a nip and pull away thing? If it holds on how do you get it off? Does it just let go after a few seconds? I'd just like to be prepared if/when it happens. And I (for some reason) saw a vid of a handler being bitten (by a Royal I think) on youtube the other day and it wouldnt let go and looked like it was really going at his hand lol. In the end he told them to turn the camera off so no idea how he got it off lol. Thanks and again, sorry to hijack :blush:

 

I dont want to hijack this thread, but I do have a question... IF a snake (young Royal in my case) bites, is it likely to hang on? Or is it more of a nip and pull away thing? If it holds on how do you get it off? Does it just let go after a few seconds?

Depends on why it bit you.

Defensive bites ("I'm scared, go away!") tend to be the strike-and-release ones.

Feeding bites ("You smell like dinner, NOM") tend to be the grab on, hold and constrict ones. You're pretty much stuck waiting for it to decide that you're not edible - or making yourself taste bad with a drop of vinegar or mouthwash.

 

Ok, thanks! I've got no real fear of a quick tag, but hanging on might worry me a bit, but I guess only becuase of a lack of experience. I've dealt with a very VERY aggressive Bengal cat now for a couple of years and got very good at reading its behaviour and dodging constantly. I take bites and scratches almost without even noticing. But obviously with a cat if it hangs on I can give it a wack or grab it by the scruff and not even worry lol.

 

Ha i have an angry cat, but my boa bite hurt more than that.
If a snake bites and doesnt let go ive heard that submerging it in water can do the trick, just dont drown it!!! : victory:

 

I would ask a snake psychologist/psychic. They seem to have there head on the ball and know what's going on.