Sensitive after shed?

[ChristinaP]

How sensitive are the snakes after their shed? Jake (ball) shed a week and a half ago and he now hisses when you try to pick him up. We haven't held him since the 4th because of that.

Ira (corn) shed last night, and he struck at me when I tried to pick him up this afternoon. We handle him daily.

Nothing has changed in husbandry, Jake (ball) temps stay 82-85'ish on cold side, 90-93'ish warm side. Humidity has been steady at 70% for the past 2 weeks or so. Fed an adult small rat last night. His tank was cleaned on the 30th with his last feed. Spot cleaned and added fresh water last night with this feed.

Ira (corn) we cleaned his tank out and added fresh water last night when we got him out, other than that no change. Fed 2 pinkie mice on the 3rd.

[xdeus]

Hmm... good question, but I really don't think they would be that sensitive after a week and a half. Maybe for a few hours or even a day or so after shedding, but I think it's similar to getting your nails clipped and being a little sensitive until you get used to it.

Snakes hiss because they're telling you they want to be left alone or they feel you're a threat. Of course that's most of the time because snakes aren't very social creatures to begin with. Some snakes hiss more than others and are more sensitive to handling than others. As long as they're eating well and don't appear stressed, I wouldn't worry about it. Many of my hissing snakes will just stop hissing and get used to handling once you pick them up and they realize you aren't a threat.