Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Here in Ireland we usually just say no, dont bite and then give them a dummy to suck on.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carpet_Boa
Here in Ireland we usually just say no, dont bite and then give them a dummy to suck on.
wat?
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carpet_Boa
Here in Ireland we usually just say no, dont bite and then give them a dummy to suck on.
Huh???
Daniel:confused::confused::confused:
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
I would have to agree with the cloth-in-hand technique. I myself purchased an adult snow cornsnake almost a year ago and he is the most tame of any animal reptile or not I have ever had. He kind of reminds me of a playful puppy, minus the nipping. Definitely worth the effort to work with and get your little guy tame.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Just grab it and handle it. The bite wont hurt at all. At that size their teeth cannot even break the skin. Mine was evil when I first got her butt shes calmed down alot after regular handling.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
My little milksnake used to latch on and chew... realizing how ineffective the bite is, I just let her do it till she got bored and it stopped soon enough.
I always come at them from the side, with their heads facing the other way, and just scoop up the lower half of the body. Rarely get bit and they calm out very quickly. If they start swinging i just pull back and hold them on the lower third of the body.
They take a few wide swipes (usually high swipes - not at my hand or arm) and lose interest very quickly.
bruce
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Carpet_Boa
Here in Ireland we usually just say no, dont bite and then give them a dummy to suck on.
LOL, the others didn't quite get your joke. I'll help them...
The thread title is "how to handle a nippy baby?"
The answer is to thread title "how to handle a nippy [human] baby?" And a dummy is that retarded thing that lazy parents let their kid have when they are both babies and weaned homo sapiens.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
My leucistic TX ratsnake was nippy when I first took her in. I overcame my fears and handled her using two tools. First is latex dishwashing gloves with gauntlets (longer than past the wrist). And the second is a small telescoping snake hook. Reach in with hook to just lift her body about 1/3 the way down her body, then reach in for her. She'll get that it isn't food. Any time I reach into an enclosure I am concerned that the snake might think "food!!" so I don't usually reach in without a hook and I've never been caught off guard. :)
Though it has been more than 6 months since you posted this, so by now your animal may have settled down. It often just takes time and a little bit of handling for them to have confidence.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Don't handle the snake if it is in blue or shedding. Also wait 4 or 5 days after feeding. Otherwise just reach in and grab the snake. It can't hurt you. If it does bite don't jerk you can damage the teeth. Don't use gloves, there just is no need. If the snake bites and gets fabric stuck in it's teeth you could cause damage. Is there a hide on the cool end and warm end? Is the heat correct? I ask because if there isn't it can stress the snake out and make it ornery.
Re: how to handle a nippy baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bondo
Don't handle the snake if it is in blue or shedding. Also wait 4 or 5 days after feeding. Otherwise just reach in and grab the snake. It can't hurt you. If it does bite don't jerk you can damage the teeth. Don't use gloves, there just is no need. If the snake bites and gets fabric stuck in it's teeth you could cause damage. Is there a hide on the cool end and warm end? Is the heat correct? I ask because if there isn't it can stress the snake out and make it ornery.
Your safe to handle the snake 24-48 hrs after feedings.
4-5 days it over excessive.
