Huffy Blood Python...

My Blood python that I got when he was quite small was always very relaxed and friendly, but recently he seems to get upset when I try to remove him from the cage or put him back into it, once he is out and being held he seems fine...

He is not head shy at all and you can give him a heavy duty snake skull massage and he seems to not mind at all, however if you touch the end of his tail he pulls in and hisses and gets all pissy again, what a weird snake, he also has a tendency to squeeze through my hand while I hold him and when his belly passes through my grip he always lets off a stinky fart, lol...

Is there any advice on how I can try to break his defensive behaviour when it comes to removing and replacing him in his tub?

Should I just get a snake hook? I would hate to get tagged by him when his is a big boy!

You should get a snake hook.

DONT get a snake hook for a Blood

Their bodies just arent made for hooks, and they really dont like them in general. As adults, you'll start breaking ribs and causing damage with a hook. Bloods like to feel "safe" when being held, a hook doesnt provide that.

Get over the fear and get him used to it at the same time

It sounds like TYPICAL behavior

They are always going to have their "off" days and they will be a bit more flighty on them days, but its never anything that cant be overcome with slow steady movements.

Also, MOST of them DONT LIKE their heads or tails being touched.

Ya they do seem a little heavy for a hook... Its not that I am afraid to hold him, I hold him a few times a week, he is a really docile snake once hes in your hands and I can rub his head with no problem at all, its just that tail that bothers him. He just is grumpy about coming out or going in, and he will do a pseudostrike with a closed mouth when you reach for him, so you think the best advice is to just pick him up gently without any hesitation right?

I have seen his teeth and they seem pretty gnarley, I would just like to avoid a strike if possible.

Pick him up in the second third of his body with a sweeping motion.

Dont grab the tail, head, or neck area. Thats a good way to get bit.

Be fluid with your movements

Everything your describing is typical behavior with these snakes

I like to tap on my snakes sometimes with an open hand to just kind of let them know I am there, it kind of wakes them up a bit. Then I'll pick them up, it helps with the bigger animals.

I am glad he is acting like he should then, I didnt really think he was acting weird per se, I just wanted someone with experience in bloods to let me know the correct response to his behaviour, thanks for responding so quick!

I love this snake he is really cool, I want to make sure he stays friendly as he matures and gets gigantic. Thanks again!

No problem

Just keep your routine up, even if its just to give him water and clean the cage/tub.

Consistency with these guys really goes a long ways, as does working with them at younger ages.

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Originally Posted by Ham

I am glad he is acting like he should then, I didnt really think he was acting weird per se, I just wanted someone with experience in bloods to let me know the correct response to his behaviour, thanks for responding so quick!

I love this snake he is really cool, I want to make sure he stays friendly as he matures and gets gigantic. Thanks again!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ham

My Blood python that I got when he was quite small was always very relaxed and friendly, but recently he seems to get upset when I try to remove him from the cage or put him back into it, once he is out and being held he seems fine...

He is not head shy at all and you can give him a heavy duty snake skull massage and he seems to not mind at all, however if you touch the end of his tail he pulls in and hisses and gets all pissy again, what a weird snake, he also has a tendency to squeeze through my hand while I hold him and when his belly passes through my grip he always lets off a stinky fart, lol...

Is there any advice on how I can try to break his defensive behaviour when it comes to removing and replacing him in his tub?

Should I just get a snake hook? I would hate to get tagged by him when his is a big boy!

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Snakes HATE it when you touch their tails. I have a sumatran blood that is very docile. I usually pat or stroke him and as I know they don`t have ears, I still talk to him. let him/her know you are comming. also that stinky fart you are talking about is called musting, I believe. it is a defence... warning..thing they do. My blood loves evey one except the girl I got him from. that is how I learned about "musting" or musking" I`m not sure of the proper term, but that is what is happening.
Main thing. LET HIM KNOW YOU`RE COMMING. It could get better in time. He may even enjoy you picking him up. Mine loves to be held.http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/s...9/100_1466.jpg Please excuse the stupid look on my face...

lol seems like a blood being a blood to me. I agree about the snake hook that is not a good idea at all please do not use one.

Bloods are typically more vocal than alot of snakes with huffs and puffs hisses etc thats just what they are like, regular handling is the key and if your snake recoils at touching his or his tail I would just not touch his tail and remove that behavior by doing so.

Sounds like you may have too tight a hold on him if he is musking you try being a little more gentle perhaps. I would avoid stroking the head if it was mine but if you feel comfortable doing it and your sure you get no reaction then fine but its unusual for them to be ok with it in my experience. Never quite heard of a heavy duty snake skull massage :P

As has been said, consistency is the key as well as confidence and patience with these snakes. They typically start to settle right down as sub adults with good consistent handling and will tolerate being moved around or out of their enclosure no problem.

Dont think they will stop hissing or huffing and puffing its in their nature to be vocal, they are typically lazy big lumps remember.:D

He is definitely vocal, he is always puffing and huffing... But he really does not mind his head being touched whatsoever, I mean zero response to his head being touched, you can really get in there and rub his head, he even lets me pull his lips back by hand and remove any substrate he may have gotten stuck in there, but he hates his tail bein touched, that always guarantees a big hiss and he will pull his tail away and tuck it under himself.

I dont think he is musking as their is no fluid that leaks out, I really think it might just be a fart, as he is a little constipated, he is overdue for a poop. I have even heard him rip a fart once while he was just sitting there in his water ( I have also seen my ball python do this as well ) I have definitely been musked on before by hognoses and kingsnakes and numerous other snakes.

The past couple of days he seems to have been in a much more receptive mood when it comes to being removed from his tub, he even let me put him back with no problem. I have started putting him back by just opening his tub and putting his head near the open container, he then will almost always just slowly slither his own way into his hide, this is much better than trying to place him in there!