Coastal temperment?

[Dave1gsxr]

I have had my juvie coastal carpet for bout 3 months now, she is about 6 months old. She was a bit snappy getting her out of her enclosuer to start with but had settled down, but now she is snappy out of her enclosure as well, she also freaks out a little when she is touched. She bit me about 5 times 2 nights ago for no apparent reason (sounds a bit like a female homosapian really hey)...

I get her out every night or second night for about 30mins on the couch or around me as I want her to be a placid snake with all people.

My question is, When can you tell a snakes personality? Do you think that she will settle down and be a placid coastal with daily handling?

Any answers are much appreciated.

Cheers Dave

 

[mysnakesau]

Yes she can become a placid python and get use to regular handling but maybe you're handling her too much. Snakes do get use to handling but they only tolerate it, not want it. Where babies tend to curl up and find a warm, safe place to hide (make us think they like us), as they get older they want to explore and start checking out things more than they did before (make us think they don't like us as much anymore). A good method of handling is perhaps in shorter time frames. Handle as often as you want but for shorter periods.

Work out what it is that is making her strike. Something could be startling her. Are you pulling her out of a nice warm enclosure into the cooler room temperature and your hands are cold when you touch her. Don't let anybody tease her, thinking its funny to watch them strike. Babies might look cute but a 10ft coastal python isn't so easy to get off if they latch on or constrict you. Do you wash your hands before you pick her up so that smells on you don't frighten her - smell of dog or cat that could harm her, or even handling your rats which she might have her looking for food.

You can tell her personality pretty much now, but how much she bites or protests about being handled depends how and when you handle her. Something that upsets her now but didn't before - you just gotta respect that and change your handling technique to suit her. Sorry, but you're not the boss. She is.

 

[Ozzie Python]

Dave,

i had a bredli the same and he grew out of it once he was around 18 months old. However there is nothing to guarentee that your snake will, some are just snappy by nature.

I have some snakes that started off placid and got a bit of a temper as they got bigger so there is no exact science regarding temper. Try using a hook to remove your snake from the enclosure, seems to help them not be startled, imagine a big hand coming down to pick you up! My only other suggestion is keep your handling to a minimum or maybe only get the snake out for 5 minutes at a time, you may be causing it to stress being out for 30 minutes.

Good luck with your snake, only time will tell if it wants to settle down. I'm sure you will start to learn how to read the snake and avoid a few bites.

 

[thebraddles]

yeah i agree, im actually lucky cos all my pythons have a great temperament. but holding them for shorter periods would be better. i only handle mine about 3 times a week for 15 minutes at a time.

 

[Dave1gsxr]

Thanks

Thank you for your replys guys I appreciate it. I think that maybe I do handle her a bit to much..I see where your coming from Kath an Tim. Its just that i really want a placid snake that will be good with people, kids and stuff. I suppose I always just wanted my snake to hang about an do as they please. Even though this is my first snake I have done my reasearch as I have wanted one for years. I guess I should just give her a bit more space.

Your right about the hand coming into the enclosure.. I think that doe freak her out.. she doesnt really like being touched.. she is fine to handle most times but when u sort of touch her when she is moving or lying there she really jumps!

I know what yas are thinking.. I should have got a dog or whatever...haha. I guess I will just shorten my handling times and hope that she eases up a toouch.

Thanks again for your replies..