Heard him hiss for the first time

[Trey]

So I got Dino out today which I will admit I haven't done as much as I should but he started to puff up and hiss at me. He didn't try to bite but he did get real antsy. How do you calm them down and actually MAKE him want to come out and spend time with you. I mean some people say that they will crawl onto your hand and come out but I don't see that happening with Dino. How do I get him so calm that he will just "chill" on the bed and not hiss or try to bolt off? Thanks, Trey

[JLC]

Well, you can't "make" your snake want to be with you. They're not puppies that are wired for social interaction. In their world, they're much happier just being left completely alone...but if we're lucky, they will tolerate our handling. Having them "out to play" is entirely for our benefit...not theirs.

I know some people talk about how their snakes crawl to their hands as soon as they open the cage, but such behavior is very individual and not particularly common...and probably should not be interpreted as them "wanting to come out and play" in the usual meaning of the words.

I'm sure others with more handling-challenging experience can give you advice on helping him accept you more readily. Just don't expect him to "like" you the way our fuzzy pets might.

[mr~python]

Judy, he's talking about his monitor, lol.

i know of a good link on taming monitors but its from another monitor forum. do the mods/admins mind if i post it?

[JLC]

Judy, he's talking about his monitor, lol.

i know of a good link on taming monitors but its from another monitor forum. do the mods/admins mind if i post it?

OY! Like I said in another thread....I'm typing faster than I'm thinking today. Maybe I'll just go back to bed? LOL

To answer your question, yes, that will be OK if you have a link that will help answer the question.

[mr~python]

ok, here ya go. http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1110696,1110696. its awesome; really long, and very detailed.

[Trey]

Thanks alot. I just want the best savannah I can have and I hope im well on my way

[mr~python]

the key is not to force yourself on him but to let him gain your trust and come to you. if you force handle him it will only stress him out more.

[Razaiel]

That's a great link - I printed that out last week when I came upon it - it all makes so much sense.