Royal Python worries

[SammieSalad]

I would have to say the opposite with regard to temperament of snakes in a rack system. While I admit a rack is the absolute best option if you want your snakes to positively thrive, all of my animals became more aggressive when placed in the rack system. They are not exposed to any outside stimulation, which is great with regard to their health, but boy when I open those tubs they come flying out looking for dinner! Even the most timid animal I have ever owned changed into a food driven monster in the rack. While that doesn't bother me at all, as I'd rather have an animal that will eat than have an animal that is passive and won't eat, that is something to consider if you are considering switching.

Granted, the rack makes maintaining ideal temp and humidity a breeze, and almost ensures perfect sheds every time, however, a well decorated vivarium with carefully maintained temps and humidity works just fine and lets you see your pet occasionally when they are not hiding under one of their hide boxes. That is not to say that putting your animals in a rack will make them aggressive, but regular handling is important to help avoid general aggression.

That said, your snake does not look as though he wants to bite you in that picture. More nervous and inquisitive than anything. Even if he hisses at you when you go to pick him up, that does not mean he is going to bite. It is merely his way of saying, "Hey! I'm not too sure about this handling thing right now. What are you and why are you touching me?" That will calm down with regular handling. He is still getting to know you, that's all.

Congrats on your new addition and welcome to the addiction!

It seems that a rack system is brilliant for multiple snakeys, but I don't know if I'll be getting any more. I'm always up for researching different things for him, anyway. Anything that'll make his life better!

I don't think it helps that because he's hissed at me, or I've convinced myself he's hissed (it wasn't loud or for a long period of time, just a quiet short noise) I'm a bit unsure, and that's obviously making him unsure! Probably just a case of braving up and going for the (gentle) grab. I've read they'll usually be fine after they're out of their territory anyway.

He just seems to tense up whenever I even just walk past his vivarium, and don't want to be upsetting him too much

[Ballpythoncrazy]

My snake did something similar as yours. He escaped one day and I found him only a few hours later, but when I went to pick him up I moved to grab him and I moved too fast and it scared him and he bit me. Ever since then I can tell he just doesn't trust me anymore. Every time I go to touch him he gets in a defensive stance and flinches at the slightest touch.

Anyways, with your snake, what I would do is just continue to hold him and interact with him. Even if he does look ready to bite you I'd just slowly pick him up anyways. Maybe try on e or twice a week at first, and then a little more often. The bite doesn't hurt that much. Or, if you are worried about the bite, you can wear a glove.

That's kind of what I've been doing and my snake seems to have calmed down some. He still slightly gets in a defensive stance but doesn't flinch and he hasn't bitten me since the day he escaped.

Not all snakes are the same so it may not work with your snake but I'd give it a try!

Good luck!


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[SammieSalad]

My snake did something similar as yours. He escaped one day and I found him only a few hours later, but when I went to pick him up I moved to grab him and I moved too fast and it scared him and he bit me. Ever since then I can tell he just doesn't trust me anymore. Every time I go to touch him he gets in a defensive stance and flinches at the slightest touch.

Anyways, with your snake, what I would do is just continue to hold him and interact with him. Even if he does look ready to bite you I'd just slowly pick him up anyways. Maybe try on e or twice a week at first, and then a little more often. The bite doesn't hurt that much. Or, if you are worried about the bite, you can wear a glove.

That's kind of what I've been doing and my snake seems to have calmed down some. He still slightly gets in a defensive stance but doesn't flinch and he hasn't bitten me since the day he escaped.

Not all snakes are the same so it may not work with your snake but I'd give it a try!

Good luck!


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Bahh, I hope I haven't ruined my trust with him completely.
I'll up his rat size and take it slow, I had my hand in their earlier cause I was moving stuff around and he seemed a bit defensive but I just carried on confidently and he just stared curiously so hopefully it'll be okay

Thank you for your advice

[Daigga]

A handful of mine make a hiss noise when I go to handle them, the trick seems to be not to worry about it. The two that hiss at me happen to be my biggest two, but I don't let that intimidate me. I just tell them "oh shush" and go right on doing what needs done. As far as animals go, you have to not be afraid, or at least not let the animal know you're afraid of it. The whole "smelling fear" thing, you know? Be confident! He won't bite you, and even if he does so what? Are you going to let a little nip ruin your enjoyment of your pet?

[seanmcginnin]

Snakes will only bite for two reasons. One being because they are hungry and want food and the other one is usually defensive. So if you were feeding him regularly and he is not hungry and he is being handled regularly there should be no reason for him to bite. Sometimes you have snakes that are scared and the only way to fix that is to handle them. so overall the best thing you can do is get him used to you being around and being handled. The more you can be in their and handling him the better it will be. I had a snake that I called :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:head because he was very snappy when he was younger. I still handled him a lot and he ended up being very docile and very tame. The reason why he was like that is he was afraid and thought I was going to hurt him. You have to think any time in the wild something as big as we are goes toward a steak or something it's usually for food purposes. Just continually head of the snake the snake will get used to being handled.

[SammieSalad]

A handful of mine make a hiss noise when I go to handle them, the trick seems to be not to worry about it. The two that hiss at me happen to be my biggest two, but I don't let that intimidate me. I just tell them "oh shush" and go right on doing what needs done. As far as animals go, you have to not be afraid, or at least not let the animal know you're afraid of it. The whole "smelling fear" thing, you know? Be confident! He won't bite you, and even if he does so what? Are you going to let a little nip ruin your enjoyment of your pet?

I don't mind him biting me while he's only 2foot. Its when he's bigger I'm worried about! But hopefully confidence and handling will help thank you

[SammieSalad]

Snakes will only bite for two reasons. One being because they are hungry and want food and the other one is usually defensive. So if you were feeding him regularly and he is not hungry and he is being handled regularly there should be no reason for him to bite. Sometimes you have snakes that are scared and the only way to fix that is to handle them. so overall the best thing you can do is get him used to you being around and being handled. The more you can be in their and handling him the better it will be. I had a snake that I called :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:head because he was very snappy when he was younger. I still handled him a lot and he ended up being very docile and very tame. The reason why he was like that is he was afraid and thought I was going to hurt him. You have to think any time in the wild something as big as we are goes toward a steak or something it's usually for food purposes. Just continually head of the snake the snake will get used to being handled.

Yeah, im thinking I'll see if he'll take small rats instead of weaning rats, and see if that improves his mood. And I'll carry on handling him, obviously not after he's eaten!

Thankies, I'll just have to suck it up! Haha

[seanmcginnin]

Unfortunately sometimes we have to get bit by the snake's. It also trying to teach is my opinion that if they but you you're not gonna this is early put them back some kind of turns him to not bite necessarily. If you get bit by them and you put it back right away I feel as if they learned that they're more apt to buy it but if you power through and still hold a bit. It allows them to get used to being handled more. I don't know if this is prove it or anything that's just how I feel about the situation.

[seanmcginnin]

Sorry, that was all talk to text.

[SammieSalad]

Unfortunately sometimes we have to get bit by the snake's. It also trying to teach is my opinion that if they but you you're not gonna this is early put them back some kind of turns him to not bite necessarily. If you get bit by them and you put it back right away I feel as if they learned that they're more apt to buy it but if you power through and still hold a bit. It allows them to get used to being handled more. I don't know if this is prove it or anything that's just how I feel about the situation.

Yeah, I've heard a lot of people say to power through and keep handling, even if they do bite. I guess it proves even more that we're not going to hurt them, even if they try to hurt us I'm going to try getting him out tomorrow evening if I have the energy.... yay for night shifts and then college all day the next day...