I own the devil

Got a hatchling from a very reputable breeder last friday. little [thing] is the devil. little hook on his head doesnt even phase him. even strikes at the hook. pastel clown. 200 bucks if you pick him up. he is evil incarnate

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Originally Posted by rzeppy

200 bucks if you pick him up.

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Where at? Wouldn't happen to be near Chicago would you lol

appleton

Too far for me. If you like him and want to keep him try conditioning him. Take him out as gently as you can with your hook set him down and when he balls up gently handle him. Touch its back a little and pick him up from behind and handle him. Keep your hand away from his face so he doesn't pick up on your warm hand. When they're small striking is defensive not aggressive. Hope this helps best of luck.

Sean

Is this your first snake? Why rehome him after only a week? Lots of baby snakes are pretty defensive as hatchlings but he should calm down after a few months.

So you have only had him a week? He is super stressed probably, new home and all. It can take them a few weeks to settle in. I would get him to eat at least 3-5 times before you try to handle/touch him

Does he even have properly-sized hides? One on the warm & one on the cool side, so he feels safe? To him, YOU are a "big ugly predator that's about to EAT HIM!" :O I'd suggest getting over yourself, & put HIS needs first. He's afraid of the giant that keeps coming after him. What else do you expect him to do? His instincts are to defend himself the only way he can- with his teeth.

Snakes can learn, but need patience & most of all, YOUR understanding. After he's feeding regularly (at LEAST 3+ meals with NO handling attempts by you), only then can you start to get to know him, patiently. I'm more than willing to teach you how to do this (I have many years of experience taming snakes) but only if you're committed to learning. Are you?

By the way, by FAR the worst issue to have with a "baby" snake (hatchling or neonate) is not feeding. While it's possible for a snake to feel so afraid & defensive that they still won't eat (even if they're willing to bite you), it's usually the nippy snakes that give you less trouble about feeding. I've raised plenty of hatchlings & I don't mind "the biters" one little bit (no pun intended).

For a young snake, eating is "job #1"- otherwise they don't grow, much less survive. Your first job with a new snake is to do everything in your power to reduce their stress, so they feel safe enough to eat, & so they can thrive. You shouldn't be handling them at all, until after they're successfully eating for you (at least 3 but preferably more times), so biting shouldn't be an issue you need to deal with right now, at all. Once they calm down, eat & grow for a while, they learn you're not so scary & they're usually easier to work with. But you need to be patient. If you're not, this truly might be the wrong pet for you.

Years ago I took in a yearling boa (BCI) that for her first year of life, changed owners a number of times for being a biter. Her most recent owner was even a vet tech who kept other snakes. He gave her away to me. I didn't need another snake, I had a houseful, but I felt sorry for her, knowing she was just frightened to death. Snakes don't understand where the home they knew first just disappeared to, or how they ended up where they are now- it would be like if you were abducted by aliens in a spaceship. But in about 2 months time, she no longer wanted or tried to bite me- she learned I was safe to be around- and never once in the many years I kept her did she ever bite me. She learned. Now, do you want success with this snake? or to just give up?

Oh he ate already. He attacked the f/t I offered him so hard that when he clipped it, he turned himself wrong side up. Got back up, reared up like a rattler and went again.

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Originally Posted by rzeppy

... Even strikes at the hook...

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lmao

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Originally Posted by rzeppy

Oh he ate already. He attacked the f/t I offered him so hard that when he clipped it, he turned himself wrong side up. Got back up, reared up like a rattler and went again.

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In my opinion, that's a good little BP. They don't all have the same personality- did you want a boring snake? :cool: (Full disclosure, I love rattlesnakes too.)

glad i can entertain

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Originally Posted by rzeppy

glad i can entertain

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Not entertainment exactly- snakes that are very defensive are apt to be what survives in the wild. Some c/b snakes are wimpy, but because they're pets, they're coaxed along even if they feed poorly & are less defensive, because we love them as pets anyway. You may prefer to keep a mellow snake, but in nature, only the strong survive. What you have is a survivor- & I admire that.

And besides that, I welcome the challenge to communicate to them that they're safe with me- it means a lot more to finally see them learn & become a good pet anyway. Most do.

I had a Biak GTP neonate that did nothing but bite. I never once thought of giving it up. I continued working with it and was making progress. Unfortunately it died.

Then I had three Blood Python babies. Yep, have the paper towels handy because you will be bleeding. Again never once thought of getting rid of them. Just worked with them and settled them down.

The two baby Kings I recently got have bit me but that's just cute.

My yearling Cen Am Boa can get moody and has bit me.

My Ball, BRB, Dum, GTP, Hoggy, and Bloods have all bit me at some point.

What I'm saying is if you keep snakes it's going to happen. I have to say a bite from a Ball is nothing. Come move by male Blood around when he is grumpy. He will help train you in handing snakes. But thick bodied powerhouse trying to tag ya! He's usually pretty good though. Just has those special days but thankfully I've delt with enough snakes to know how to handle it.

Consider yourself in training.... You and the snake both.

Also examine the cage and make sure all it well. A stressed snake will be cranky and act out. If everything is good give it time to settle in and then start working with it slowly. Other than a quick check I don't usually disturb a new snake for the first week or two. I try to let it settle and take a meal or two before handling much.

My BP has yet to bite me, but going off of what I've seen on YT with bites and comparing what I had to go through helping to raise my sister's puppy, it's not even close. I'd take a bite from him any day.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Not entertainment exactly- snakes that are very defensive are apt to be what survives in the wild. Some c/b snakes are wimpy, but because they're pets, they're coaxed along even if they feed poorly & are less defensive, because we love them as pets anyway. You may prefer to keep a mellow snake, but in nature, only the strong survive. What you have is a survivor- & I admire that.

And besides that, I welcome the challenge to communicate to them that they're safe with me- it means a lot more to finally see them learn & become a good pet anyway. Most do.

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i was talking about the fella that laughed earlier in the thread. Boger i actually appreciate your comments

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Originally Posted by rzeppy

i was talking about the fella that laughed earlier in the thread. Boger i actually appreciate your comments

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I don't think that was personal. Just laughing at the situation while imaging it I would guess.

I use the paper towel roll as a shield when I'm dealing with a cranky snake or going in at night to one I know likes to bite things in the dark.