Snappy BP's...help!

[Bogertophis]

I've never known a feisty Royal just aggressive feeders !?!?....

I've never personally had one like that, but I read about one a rescue had...young adult male that they said could ONLY be adopted by a very experienced owner due
to its persistent aggression, & they had an extensive application process w/ no shipping, only in person adoptions, etc. Don't know if it ever got adopted successfully.

It makes sense to me though: most snakes are bred only for appearance, not temperament, and with all the inbreeding for fancy morphs, I'm actually surprised
there aren't more of these around, though sadly they might be getting sold off as "feeders"? Pet stores are a very likely place for some to end up, as pet stores
don't pay a lot & buy "in bulk".

You have your work really cut out for you this time, Sunnieskys...

I like zina10's suggestion to "cup" them....lets them feel safe, like back in the egg... I wonder if they'd improve if you kept them close for longer periods of time?
-Like in a zipped pocket, or a small snake bag inside your shirt for both warmth & to get used to "human scent"...you probably can't do that at work, but I'd try
that at home, personally, with snakes like these. The BCI that I took in years back was like this...she was a yearling that had changed hands multiple times before
being given to me. She scared off all previous owners, persistent biting/striking...pretty "hiss-terical" snake, but I knew she was just scared. Also read that Mexican
BCI's tended to be feisty like this (& that's what she appeared to be), but all it really took was some patience: I'd keep her on my lap for 30 minutes or more, in &
under a small towel, not letting her see out, while she got over the feeling of being held, gently touched, & got used to my scent. After about a month or so, I slowly
let her see out...she was nervous but never bit me...not even once in all the years I had her. She became a wonderful trust-worthy pet, face-to-face tame with me.

[Bogertophis]

Most people suggest short handling sessions...I actually favor longer times...snakes feel the MOST threatened when being picked up or put down, so with a
short handling session, they never REALLY get relaxed. And they're getting our body warmth too, so that's no problem. I've also noticed that some snakes
get mellow if you sit in a hammock or rocking chair while doing this...I know, I know...that sounds crazy, but try it. It worked for me, and I'm NOT talking
about a ball python...

Sunnieskys, maybe you need to "take a BP to lunch" with you each day, if they'll let you? In a bag in your shirt... It's especially hard for snakes like these to
mellow out under the given conditions, group housing on display in a store. Poor things!

[Sunnieskys]

I can take them out whenever i want. They are mine lol. Im in charge and do what i want. Maybe i will take them to lunch with me.

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[Sunnieskys]

Also this is their current enclosure.

And yes i know i know.....those gauges. They are attached with silicone. They still suck and wish i could use digital ones. Im adding more plants today when i clean while they are bein fed in the back.

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[Bogertophis]

I know you're doing ALL you can, with what you have to work with. Let us know how it goes, cuddling a BP thru lunch where no one will wonder what that
funny lump in your shirt is, lol...(or at least, the customers won't). You'll have to do them one at a time, but you wouldn't do this daily anyway, so they can
take turns....and if it helps them warm up to humans so they can get good homes, it will all be worth it. Keeping my fingers crossed for you & especially for
them. Your little 'snapdragons' would probably be the best survivors in the wild...it's too bad more owners can't appreciate this for what it is.

[dr del]

I have found over the years that the more you reach in the less you get bitten.

If, everytime you are in the cage they get fed you are training them to bite on command - great in a velocoraptor less so with a bp.

Persevere, you will get there once they are stuffed full of rodent.

ETA ( note to self don't buy a velocoraptor)

[Sunnieskys]

I have found over the years that the more you reach in the less you get bitten.

If, everytime you are in the cage they get fed you are training them to bite on command - great in a velocoraptor less so with a bp.

Persevere, you will get there once they are stuffed full of rodent.

ETA ( note to self don't buy a velocoraptor)

they do not get fed in their enclosure. They get fed in the back and they know when they go into a box it's feeding time. I forgot to take one to lunch with me today.

[Zincubus]

they do not get fed in their enclosure. They get fed in the back and they know when they go into a box it's feeding time. I forgot to take one to lunch with me today.

Feeding in a separate container is kinda old-school , old fashioned .

Why do you do that incidentally ?


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[Ax01]

i know that pet shop setups are not ideal and they're setup to maximize space and to make the pet(s) visually available for the customers. it's the bittersweet part of the business but im glad that u are taking steps to make more comfortable and secure.

the other part is that i don't think alotta peeps realize that hatchlings are not handled very much at all 1) before they get to a comfortable size/weight and, in general, 2) sales. so it doesn't surprise me when an individual or store gets shipped a biter, after all it's their natural behavior when confronted w/ a large "predator." anyways i like the handling tips others already gave and the ones u have a nice sized sub-juveniles primed for short sessions.

lastly I wouldn't want (potential) customers or the public in general to develop an unnecessary fear of these snakes. use it as a teaching moment. Let those scaredy cats know that these lil sneks are not trying to eat them. they’re more scared of people, than most peeps are scared of them. let them know the difference between a defensive bite (strike and release) vs. feeding bite (strike and warp/coil) and give them husbandry and handling tips. also it might be worth it to mention that everything w/ a mouth and teeth can bite – from a BP to a dog to a Horse to a Hippo to a Velociraptor (per the Dr’s example).

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Armiyana]

Feeding in a separate container is kinda old-school , old fashioned .

Why do you do that incidentally ?


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Petco and Petsmart don't allow feedings for snakes in the floor habitats. Not all customers are fine with snakes eating mice, even if they are frozen thawed.

Also, in Sunnies case, she has multiple snakes in one habitat so feeding after closing or before opening is still a bit too risky when they aren't seperated.