Feel we are not making progress...

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Originally Posted by siwueofk

I just realized I don't have a heating pad small enough for a 12 qt tub, so that would be an additional $15-ish dollars plus $7-ish dollars to buy the tub. If I kept him in his current enclosure, would he eventually chill out? Or do you guys strongly recommend I make the investment.

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$22.00 to put the snake in an environment where he will be better off? If you want the snake to stay stressed out and tag at you when you go in his tub then keep doing what you are doing. I just don’t think 22 dollars is a lot to ask when you more than likely invested hundreds of dollars in the animal from a reputable breeder.

Is it a stand alone tub? If so you are not required to place the entire UTH under the tub... that’s saves you your $15 heat pad purchase. Just place the tub such that the UTH covers the area you need heated.
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Originally Posted by Moose84

$22.00 to put the snake in an environment where he will be better off? If you want the snake to stay stressed out and tag at you when you go in his tub then keep doing what you are doing. I just don’t think 22 dollars is a lot to ask when you more than likely invested hundreds of dollars in the animal from a reputable breeder.

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Well there's also the issue of not being wasteful. I'm done with getting snakes, so afterwards I would have no uses for them.

Use the tub to put supplies in maybe? Sounds like you are looking for every reason not to move the animal and that is your right. But don’t blame the animal when it continues to act accordingly. Not his fault.

Look, your snake is acting like a typical baby ball python: hiding during the day, active at night, eating, etc. It's just defensive because in its world you are a great big Godzilla monster that will gobble it up, and a few weeks of handling isn't going to overcome those instincts. So, here are some tips on how I get my babies to settle, and not just ball pythons, but dwarf boas and BRB's, both of which are well known for biting as neonates.

When I pick them up I try to distract them with one hand, moving it slowly but just out of strike range, while sneaking around behind with the other. Get your fingers underneath it and pick it up. If they do end up striking, accept that you're going to bleed and just pick it up.

Always handle it gently and support it from underneath without being restrictive. You want to make it feel like it's not in danger of falling, but without being "grabby".

If it balls up in your hand you can gently cup your hands together to make a "cave" and let it peek out through your fingers.

Only put them away when they are relaxed, and never immediately after they strike.

One trick I used was to make a fist and then put my hand down into the tub so the back of my hand faced the snake. Then I would just let them go to town striking at me. It doesn't hurt and eventually they give up because you don't go away when they strike; you only remove your hand when they quit.

I like to keep the initial handling sessions short, and once the snake relaxes or starts to move around, I reward it by returning it to its home. They need to learn that striking does not get them what they want, which is to be left alone.

Finally, watch your shadow. I've noticed that when I'm backlit my snakes are a lot more defensive.

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Originally Posted by siwueofk

I'm done with getting snakes

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That’s a rather strange comment from a snake keeper we’re usually straining at the leash to get the NEXT one ..

For my part I’d cram some fake silk /plastic leaves /branches in there !!


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Originally Posted by Zincubus

That’s a rather strange comment from a snake keeper we’re usually straining at the leash to get the NEXT one ..

For my part I’d cram some fake silk /plastic leaves /branches in there !!


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Uh. Ok. I've literally never seen your user name before ever.

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Originally Posted by siwueofk

Uh. Ok. I've literally never seen your user name before ever.

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Not sure how that’s relevant but no matter ..

So what did you mean by ‘ I’m done with snakes ‘ ?

Sounds like you’re completely fed up with them ?




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Expecting "progress" in five weeks from a baby snake that's clearly very frightened is expecting too much. He's not a "jerk". He's scared. Move him into a smaller enclosure with hides that are small enough to help him feel snugly enclosed - there's nothing wasteful about spending a few dollars to ensure that a pet is provided with the best possible care. You can also add some crumpled up paper towels or spaghnum moss to his current hides if they are too big for him. Add clutter to his enclosure - fake vines are inexpensive at any hobby shop, or again, just add crumpled paper towels for him to feel hidden as he moves around.

Slow way down on handling. Instead, try taking the lid off of his enclosure and checking quickly under the hides to be sure he's OK, then simply sit near him/the enclosure for awhile every day before putting the lid back on. Let him get used to you doing a quick welfare check and learn that you are a non-invasive, non-scary presence. This requires patience, and could take weeks.

Work on dialing down your reaction to the possibility of being tagged. He's too small to hurt you. Wear a light glove to change his water if you still feel tense - because your own tension will result in the possibility of jerky movements that will add to his fear. Just take your time, give him an environment he feels safe in, and go slow and easy with him. He'll be OK, but he needs more than a few weeks.