I need your advice.....

I posted a while ago about wanting to get another snake - my first choice would be a Piebald but after much thought - I have decided that I just can not justify spending that sort of money on a pet, so I have decided to get a Male Spider - I found one that is absolutely gorgeous but after emailing with the breeder I have found out that he tends to be a bit aggressive - referred to as cage aggression due to the fact that it hasn't had much contact with people/handling.

My question is this - do I get him and hope to transform the aggressive behavior or should I pass. Is this aggression something common and it will pass or am I asking for misery. I keep my snakes as pets - no breeding - so I do intend to hold him.

He is a year old at this point - how bad does it hurt to be bitten?? I have never been bitten.

Any suggestions from you experts out there.

Well I haven't been bitten yet either so I can't help you there. Although its been said numberous times that the bite from a snake hurts very little.

As for the agression problem; I think that there is room for improvement. They tend to calm down with routine handling as they mature and grow larger. My pastel used to be aggressive in his tub as well up until about 2 years of age when he suddenly mellowed out. Even when he was agressive it was all show; huffing, hissing, puffing up his body; but once he out of the cage he was fine.

Then only thing you can do to help with the aggression is to be patient and get into a handling routine. Remember that there is nothing wrong with wearing gloves if you find out that he is a bit nippy.

His aggression can also be caused by inappropriate husbandry so with a proper enclosure and a slow increase of handeling he could be great.

I just picked up an 06' female that was impossible than with regular handeling and proper husbandry she has a terrific temperment.
Just takes patience and a little know how.

Thanks Spaniard,

This will be only my second snake and with the first one I got lucky she is just a doll - never shows any aggression at all.

I do have gloves that I bought when I first got my normal female but didn't end up needing them with her.

This particular Spider is just gorgeous - and I hate to pass it up but by the same token - I don't want a pet that I can't ever interact with or get attacked trying to clean its cage - LOL.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

I don't want a pet that I can't ever interact with or get attacked trying to clean its cage - LOL.

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Well, part of owning ang enjoying a snake is how they keep you on your toe's.
Atleast it is one of my favorite parts.

hey likebull1,

Did you ever get bit??? I guess I am just afraid of that first time - I can't imagine - LOL.

I am meeting with the breeder tomorrow to get acquainted with the snake, hold it, and then make a decision if I want it or not. The breeder has been very helpful, he was upfront with the slight aggression issues but he feels that I could turn this snake around with (like you said also) time and patience.

Thanks for your input.

I've been bit many times and it is truthfully nothing, it is more the shock than pain.
After you first one its nothing.
Hope this helps.

likebull1, I do like a challenge so this might be just the ticket!!!!

When they do bite you - do they let go or sink and lock their teeth into your arm???

most of the time they will strike and not even bite(kinda a warning).
But when they do bite most of the time it is a quick release with little pin pricks of blood.

If you search the forums there are a lot of threads on bite.:D