hissing :(

As others have said, baby snakes are naturally defensive. It is how they protect themselves in the wild, where they make tasty appetizers for bigger predators. It isn't anything personal. Most of them outgrow it in time, and with gentle handling they can come to even recognize you and not ball up at all.

It is generally advised that to limit the amount of stress of the snake, you leave it alone for a week or so prior to handling it. Also, limit your handling to 5 minutes (approx.) to start. You can slowly raise the amount of time you have the snake out over the next few months, up to a half hour or thereabouts. At least, I've found a half-hour to be plenty – more for him than me! :)

I have one who hisses from time to time. She also has an incredible feeding response!!! Seems like snakes with a bit of attitude are always hungry. Just my .02

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I'm a little confused why you're disappointed that he hissed? It's a snake - they hiss. They aren't dogs or cats that WANT to be with you, in fact, they'd rather be left alone. Handling them is a gift that they allow us. He's communicating with you in the only way he can - he can't do facial expressions, or put his tail between his legs, or even run from you. He can only hiss - or strike at you if you really scare him.

Be patient, respect that he's a snake, and not a kitten or a puppy, and take time to build trust with him. It doesn't happen overnight, it just takes time. You have 30+ years to build your relationship with him! :)

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TOOO FUNNY BUT OH SO TRUE!! :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:


but yeah just give him/her time.. eventually you'll build a bond.. its sorta like having a baby .. babys cry when they don't want to be picked up.. snakes hiss.. it's jsut the way they are lol don't take it personal.

Don't touch its head!! then a hiss could turn into your first nip! Kyros hisses at me when he is sleeping and I pick up his hide exposing him. Arn't their little hisses just adorable? I don't love them but when Kyros hisses its so cute cause he hides his head and hisses under one of his coils.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

Don't touch its head!! then a hiss could turn into your first nip! Kyros hisses at me when he is sleeping and I pick up his hide exposing him. Arn't their little hisses just adorable? I don't love them but when Kyros hisses its so cute cause he hides his head and hisses under one of his coils.

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I think the hisses are pretty cute too! They don't happen often so I think its kinda cool when my snake hisses!

I have 2 BP's, one so mellow I have to poke him sometimes to make sure he's breathing lol. my female hisses sometimes. first time it scared me, second time, I cracked up laughing, trying to resist the urge to poke it and make her hiss again (I didnt)

I also have a yearling leucistic texas rat snake who is my grumpy bear. sometimes he thinks he's a black mamba (with the opening of the mouth), sometimes he thiks he a rattlesnake (obviously rattling his tail), and sometimes he just hisses and bites me. thats why I call him my grumpy bear.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, just like all people are different, so are all snakes. some hiss, some dont...thats all part of the fun of owning them I think :)

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Originally Posted by scoobyark

I think the hisses are pretty cute too! They don't happen often so I think its kinda cool when my snake hisses!

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I know right?!:D

well i just didnt think it was normal for a docilesnake to hiss, and i have never had any of my corns ever hiss at me..it just kinda scared me. i guess im not really dissapointed i didnt use the right word... idk. i just want all my snakes to be very "nice" so thats what i meant by dissapointed.

oh... and he's not a baby (welnot really)... im not sure how old he is, but he is about 1'11'' when he is stretched out. and the thickest part of him is about 2fingers wide. maybe a little wider. i think he's about 6-7months old