what kind of BP is this? I am so confused...

[stargazed85]

I forgot to mention this part. "I got him from a friend who got him from a friend who got him from a dealer". NO wonder why the guy is so defensive and cranky.

When was the last time he actually got to settle down somewhere without being moved? He is probably really stressed out from all this moving. He needs a "Home Sweet Home".

[cornball252]

id be aggressive to if you picked me up like that! Theres alot of things you can do to stop cage aggression. Get yourself a hook!

got one ^_-

[cornball252]

I forgot to mention this part. "I got him from a friend who got him from a friend who got him from a dealer". NO wonder why the guy is so defensive and cranky.

When was the last time he actually got to settle down somewhere without being moved? He is probably really stressed out from all this moving. He needs a "Home Sweet Home".

Yea he is in his forever home and he is my sweetheart.

[Jay_Bunny]

Yes, it was oral Baytril and it cleared him right up. That was a little less than a year ago I think, and he's been doing great ever since. I would like to learn to give injections to snakes but at the same time I don't want the opportunity (one of my snakes getting sick)

While no one wants to get bitten (myself included. I have a pinstripe with a mean attitude problem) there are easier ways to handle that snake. One way I handle aggressive/defensive snakes is to use a pillowcase. I put the pillowcase over my arm (this works great for my hypo corn who is in feeding mode 24/7. He would eat a cow if I let him) and take hold of the snake that way. My arm is safe and it allows me to hold the snake for a few minutes. This is working wonders for my pin, who didn't hiss at me yesterday when I was doing weights.

Depending on how many snakes you have, you could try getting one tub and do your cleaning/feeding day like this. Place snake in tub, offer food, put lid on tub. Clean and disinfect enclosure. Dry and replace. Add fresh bedding. Check on snake. If the snake is done, put the snake gently back in the enclosure. Do this for every snake. I do this for every snake except my snakes feed inside the enclosure instead of a separate tub. I added that in since you feed outside the enclosure. (I only have 3 aggressive snakes). But this will get them used to a routine.

[stargazed85]

No no I've had him for a while he is a good eater. and yes this forum is a good place for any one of any Experience level.
I have had him a little less than a year. and he is ALOT better aggro wise

I see. It sounded like he just got passed along to you recently, so that's what I figured.

Well good luck. Try to take in all our advice on here and I'm sure you will see a little difference.

[Denial]

got one ^_-

Have you took the time to try to hook train your animals?

[HerpKeeperVA]

my cinnamon and pastel both are cranky and i dont get tagged by them either and i just grab them any way. not like snake shown above.
Also something I noticed I have failed to mention is he was sorta a rescue.
My friends Friend mis treated all of them and neglected them for a long time they are just now starting to put weight back on.

1. Stop handling them until they settle down.

2. Stop feeding them on the :cens0r: floor, that is beyond unsanitary, even for "just snakes." Feed them in their enclosure, a plastic tub, or even a large cardboard box since you can flatten that when not in use. If you insist on floor feedings, I suggest you do some housekeeping.

3. Hand feeding snakes is just not a good idea unless you want to be bitten. The fact that you haven't had an incident yet is luck, and it will run out eventually.

4. If you must move the agressive balls use a snake hook. That would be much kinder on the animal than the "grab and choke" method you are currently employing. If you want them to ever calm down you must stop doing this. Not only do they associate your hand with food, but they now associate it with pain and a lack of oxygen. Congrats!

I have so much more to say, but I'm going to shut up now.

[cornball252]

Yes, it was oral Baytril and it cleared him right up. That was a little less than a year ago I think, and he's been doing great ever since. I would like to learn to give injections to snakes but at the same time I don't want the opportunity (one of my snakes getting sick)

That is good to hear!
im glad it cleared up for you!
Yea I did the pillow case thing and his teeth went right through it.
Thanks for the tips

[cornball252]

1. Stop handling them until they settle down.

2. Stop feeding them on the :cens0r: floor, that is beyond unsanitary, even for "just snakes." Feed them in their enclosure, a plastic tub, or even a large cardboard box since you can flatten that when not in use. If you insist on floor feedings, I suggest you do some housekeeping.

3. Hand feeding snakes is just not a good idea unless you want to be bitten. The fact that you haven't had an incident yet is luck, and it will run out eventually.

4. If you must move the agressive balls use a snake hook. That would be much kinder on the animal than the "grab and choke" method you are currently employing. If you want them to ever calm down you must stop doing this. Not only do they associate your hand with food, but they now associate it with pain and a lack of oxygen. Congrats!

I have so much more to say, but I'm going to shut up now.

no no its ok you can keep going.
Also If i was going to just move him i would pick him up like any other snake but the fact I was trying to hold him Straightened out and up side down... I will go with my way.

[JLC]

I've been watching this thread closely and everyone participating in it. I will say that I was, at first, completely appalled at the photographs in the original post. I do find the idea of feeding snakes on a cold concrete floor to be unnecessary at the very least, and highly risky at worst. They do perfectly fine being fed in their own enclosures...unless, of course, they have to share that enclosure with another snake.

What I've noticed here in this thread is some (not all!) people making very broad assumptions based on a few isolated photographs...and then jumping on those assumptions as if they were hard-and-fast facts. I've also seen the OP respond to most of these accusations with relative calm and reason...something we rarely see in someone who is really as flippant with animal husbandry as he is being accused of.

I've been in the snake rooms of some of the top breeders in this country. I've seen extremely experienced and knowledgeable keepers handle difficult snakes. In either of these situations, it is SO easy to take a few photographs and display them out of context and cause others to make horrible assumptions based on nothing more than the evidence of those few pics. Rooms get dirty. Snakes poo and make big messes. Take a few pictures the day before cleaning day and you can make the most fastidious keeper look neglectful. Watch an experienced handler try to stretch a wriggling snake out for examination, and snap the picture just so...and you can make the most careful person look abusive.

Nothing wrong with asking questions or offering advice...but let's save the leaping-assumptions game for another time, shall we?