Got bit- how to tame?

[skaplan86]

So I had to leave town for 2 months and unfortunately had nobody that could watch my 2 snakes so I was able to take them to the reptile shop that I get my rats at. They were boarded and from what i could tell it was adequate at best. One of my snakes got mites while there but was cared for immediately and the other had a bit of stuck shed. All in all they came out safe and healthy.

They were great for me to handle them when I picked em up from the shop, moved em into tubs then moved em into cages (over the course of sat and sunday) + a little love time. I then had leave town again but only for a few days, I figured it would be good because it would give them time to acclimate to their new surroundings (even though they had been in these cages a few months ago). I came back on thursday and was in the process of changing the water when my suriname bit me (first time ever in 8 months of owning- he is a few yrs old though). I know they hadnt eaten in a while so i ended up feeding both the suri and the bp that day. The bp actually struck at me through the glass 3 times before paying attention to its rat.

Now 5 days later, the bp still wants to eat me through the glass (not striking but definitely has the S position and follows my every move) and the suriname doesnt seem to want to be picked up either.

How do i go about re-taming the snakes? They used to both be really gentle and easy to just take out. I'm sure part of it is that I dont want to get bit again but the snakes behavior is very peculiar. I'd prefer not to have to use a hook to take them out, but I don't want to get bit. Should I feed again? Their last meal probably wasnt quite as large as they would have liked.

Thanks

p.s. the temps and stuff in the tank are pretty good. 90-92 hot and 82-84 cool (been having trouble keeping it cool during the summer). humidity is in the upper 40s. bp has some hides, suri has room to burrow and climb.

[rynpckrd]

Hm.

I think handling consistently is your best bet.

For awhile, even, it might be best to wear gloves if you're a bit hesitant to handle them at this point, you know? I, personally, wore gloves for the first week or two that I started handling Atticus but now, as soon as she is in my hands, she is all over the place.

So yeah, handle, handle, handle.

[Kaorte]

Are the snakes being housed together?

I would really just give them more time to chill. Give them 2 weeks of minimal handling and then increase in small increments. 10 minutes every few days for a while.

Just take it slow. They are probably just freaked out from being boarded for so long..

[skaplan86]

Nah Frank the suri is in a 4x2x18" cage and George the BP is in a 3x2x12". Custom built by myself... they were really happy in these cages a few months ago...

[Kaorte]

Well, I don't know much about boas but the BP cage might be a bit big. Perhaps you could add more hides?

[DustinB]

Were they left alone at the pet shop? Maybe they had some kids or someone treating them improperly to make them strike at you through the glass.

[skaplan86]

The BP has 4 hides. 2 smaller ones (which he doesn't seem to use anymore, but i leave em in there because they have been in there for a long time- will remove once everything gets settled) and 2 larger ones (which he does)...


i'm pretty sure they were left alone. they were left in the back in a rack where customers arent allowed.

Thanks for all the help everybody!