Are darker morphs more "aggressive"?

[zina10]

I could "maybe" understand if a particular "darker" gene was singled out, lets say "cinnamon" , "chocolate" or whichever.

But what in the world means "darker" ones ?? I have never, ever heard that before. There are so many different morphs and morph combos that could be called "darker". Some that carry genes that are normally from "lighter" morphs.

I think that's humbug. I have never had any of those single gene darker snakes, so I don't know if any of those genes seem to share a particular temperament trait. Who knows ? Might be worth doing some research into.

But lumping them all together and saying all dark ones are little nasties...nah. Don't believe it.

Babies are often hissy and defensive. IMHO when people handle them TO much, either because they are being sold, taken to expos, or new owners try to "tame" them and establish a bond right away, it seems to make it worse. One of my hatchlings actually came TOWARDS me when I opened the tub, striking! Little heffer, LOL. He now hardly looks up when I open the tub and he is fine being picked up. That is just with basic maintenance, no actual "taming" handling. I do open the tubs once or twice the day and messes get taken care of immediately. When I clean tubs, they get transferred into a clean tub, and the dirty one gets cleaned for the next one, etc. So they DO get a fair amount of handling. But it is short, and to the point. The hissers and strikers get ignored, I come from above with a flat hand and gently push their angry selfs down a bit and then scoop them up. Always use deliberate movements, not hesitant or quick. A few good meals and doing maintenance alone will chill out the little dragons.

The ones that continue to be "excitable" get the same treatment with the flat hand and pushing their angry heads and bodys down GENTLY, that seems to snap them out of "angry mood" and they are fine to handle. Handle gently and deliberately, never with fear or anger. Also don't overdo it. Short and often seems better then to force them to accept it by long drawn out handling sessions, that only stress them out.