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pretty_bunny
Snake mite
Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts |
 Posted - 02/11/2010 : 13:03:23
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I was handling Ossi today as usual, but this time I let him off my hand for a minute or two. I went to pick him up again but I got struck many times and bitten twice! Of course I had to pick him up so after a short chase I threw a cloth over his head and grabbed him by the tail.
He's back on my arm now just like before, but how would I "train" him so as to not get bitten whilst picking him up after letting him down?
And OUCH did that hurt. |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 17:07:07
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Brazilians, especially young ones, are notorious for their tendency to nip. My personal experience, however, is that the behavior is overrated, and is limited to specific situations. Probably the most common of these is when you set a Brazilian down to explore. The snake promptly concludes that it is now "free," and seems rather resentful when you try and pick it up again. Result: nips. Barring this one situation, bites are rare.
As for what to do, here is where you start building some expertise in snake behavior. A Brazilian will give you hints what he is thinking based on his behavior. For example, if the snake is moving and actively flicking his tongue, risk is low. If the snake has frozen and stopped flicking -- and especially if the head is pulled back -- risk is much higher. If I see a snake I want to pick up has stopped moving and flicking, I will position myself nearby but out of strike range, and simply wait. After a bit the tongue will flick again. A bit longer, again. If everything goes well the snake will soon start to move again, and at this point I can (usually) safely pick him up. Note that the wait time varies, and can be as short as 30 seconds or as long as ten minutes.
The best way to train him not to bite is exactly what you did: pick him up again afterward, even if it hurt. Once a snake learns that biting you stops you from picking him up, it's over.
Good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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pretty_bunny
Snake mite
Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 21:32:19
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So I should continue letting him down?
Thinking about it now, he only caught me about the third time he struck. Don't mind he was on the bed and I only ended up catching him on the floor LOL. And it is true, he's practically harmless otherwise. |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 23:15:10
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| Your call on when and where to let him play/explore. Just keep an eye on him when you do, so that he doesn't set off for parts unknown. ;-) The important thing is make sure that if he does nip, you pick him up afterward. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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pretty_bunny
Snake mite
Trinidad and Tobago
40 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 00:59:47
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I went to take him out today and got bitten, twice! Maybe he didn't see me coming :P Was hiding under the newspaper. Picked him up without hesitation though, and he settled down... until he wriggled out of my hand. Though this time he didn't try to bite me when I was picking him up again. Progress! Sort of
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2010 : 21:36:21
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| Keep working at it, and he'll eventually settle down (or give up, lol). |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Bitten!
