handling question

Ok so all 4 of my snakes have hissed at me in the last 2 weeks and one struck at me twice. I have had 2 of them for over 2 months and 2 for about a months. When is the best time to hold them? Day or night? Can i just take out the hide and grab them when it is light out?

Handling time doesn't really matter. How often do you handle them?
What is your husbandry like? Do you have pictures/can you give us a writeup? They could be stressed.

They are in 41qt bins in a rack that i built with flexwatt attached to a johnsons therm set at 90 degrees. they each have one of those black plastic hides and a water bowl in the tank. I use newspaper as substrate.

I use to handle my 1100gram female pastel about 3-4 x's a week for a couple min at a time but then a week ago she hissed at me but then later in the night i was able to pick her up.

I have a feeling it is more me being timid and not going in confident. Do you think they can sense if im nervous about picking them up? Cause before i got struck at and hissed at i use to go right in and just grab them and it would be fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chuck6017

They are in 41qt bins in a rack that i built with flexwatt attached to a johnsons therm set at 90 degrees. they each have one of those black plastic hides and a water bowl in the tank. I use newspaper as substrate.

I use to handle my 1100gram female pastel about 3-4 x's a week for a couple min at a time but then a week ago she hissed at me but then later in the night i was able to pick her up.

I have a feeling it is more me being timid and not going in confident. Do you think they can sense if im nervous about picking them up? Cause before i got struck at and hissed at i use to go right in and just grab them and it would be fine.

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For one, there should be a thermometer probe inside the tub too so you can tell what the temp is were your hide is.
You should also have a 2nd hide on the cool side of the tub.
We also need to know the humidity of your enclosures.
Also, how often do you feed and how much do you feed?
I used to make the mistake of not feeding enough at meal time and my snake would stay out of her hide and cruise the tank. If shes had enough, she'll return to her hide.

I'm sure that snakes can sense when you're nervous, so that coule be playing a role in your snakes striking and hissing at you, but I think its more likely your husbandry.

Where I am the weather has been noticeably cooler lately and that can have an affect on your husbandry, especially if your tank is positioned along an outer wall of your living space. Try to always have your tank along an inner wall or your home.

Actually, 2 hides are not required in tubs in a rack since the tub is covered on all sides but one. Most breeders only use one, if not zero hides in their racks.

Thanks,
My apartment never gets cold, not even in the winter. I have a thermometer in one of the tubs and it is around 82 on the cold side and 90 on the warm side. Humidity is always between 50 and 65. NYC has been pretty humid this summer. And my rack is not on an outside wall either. From what i have been reading my husbandry is pretty good.

And as for the hides. They move them from side to side in the tub because they are those light plastic ones. So i think they move them to wherever they want them. I had 2 hides in there for a day and realized it was way to crowded with 2 hides and the water bowl.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mrshawt

Actually, 2 hides are not required in tubs in a rack since the tub is covered on all sides but one. Most breeders only use one, if not zero hides in their racks.

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...depending on the individual animal.

Well my snakes are so on and off. My Dad came over so i wanted to show him my snakes and I took the hides of of them and was just able to grab them with no fuss and they just chilled on my arm. I guess i just have to be patient.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chuck6017

And as for the hides. They move them from side to side in the tub because they are those light plastic ones. So i think they move them to wherever they want them

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LOL thats cute xD!

but my sisters snake hissed at her (i wasnt there to hear it...) and all i did was leave him alone for a couple days except to switch out the water... then i just lifted the hide, rubbed his side a bit, then picked him up. hes a rude boy too.. T.T but he lets me pick him up... possibly bc im not afraid to get bit? ive been bitten by way worse >_>...