Nippy Newcomer
So on Feb 7th I picked up a new hognose male from a local supplier and am concerned because, especially in the last week or week and a half, he's become very bitey when handled.
When I first got him he was heading into shed and wasn't taking food. After about 9 days he took his first pinkie and I have been feeding him every 3-4 days since then. At first he would bluff his frozen/thawed food items but now takes them without incident. However now he's taking to trying to bite me anytime I handle him. It's not a fast strike as if he's biting defensively but a slow attempt to treat me like food.
The first feeding I feel I made an error of handling the feeder with my bare hands, though I fed him with tongs, and may have associated my scent with food to him. All future feedings have been made without touching the mouse directly and feeding via tongs to prevent this.
He had made a couple of lazy attempts prior, but last Thursday he got a very solid bite on me and afterwards my finger had swollen up dramatically for three days. I'm not a breeder and am just hoping to have a pet that can be periodically handled without incident, but am starting to have my concerns about this little fellow.
He doesn't appear stressed, he rarely bluffs/hisses and never when being handled. Yet he keeps trying to bite my hands. I try and limit my handling to about 5 or so minutes one to two times per day until he's better acclimated. I'm concerned because I am attempting to associate handling without feeding but still he keeps attempting to bite me. Is there anyone with any kind of advice as to try and teach him that I am not an acceptable foodstuff?
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