feeling like the biggest failure.....

[pretzels]

iv had my snake for 2 months now and at the start he was ok. he fed alright he was pretty calm in his CC. but getting him out was a real stress. he constantly attacked if i put my hand in the CC to get him out and i really only had 1 or 2 times where i was able to get him out without hassle.
at first i kinda thought that he was just cranky because he was shedding and then because he was due a feed. but now hes shed ( not due for another one for a monthish) and hes had his feed and is still very hostile. his second feed at home he refused for almost 3 weeks so he spent a bit of time covered up completely because i thought he might be stressed.
but his temperament hasnt improved at all. if anything it has gotten worse.
i have a friend who was actually the one who showed me how to get him out etc and at first he was okish with her and now she cops it just as bad so its not just me he doesnt like..

basically im at a loss as to what to do. i dont know if its going to stress him out too much to keep trying. i stopped for a week or so just incase and then went back in tonight to give him a try and he was just as bad.
i dont want to give up on him..but the people iv spoken to about it has pretty much told me that he might just be a look dont touch snake...
please help!

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

You didn't give much info on the species, age, environment etc.
What temp is it being kept at, how often are you feeding. is it a hatchling, all fairly important info.

It can be stressful for the keeper when this happens and yes there are some snakes that are just temperamental so don't get stressed, you came to a good place to get advice lets try and work out what the problem is.

 

[vampstorso]

You'll probably find if you leave it alone until it gains some size, it will likely be a lot calmer.

I had a jungle hatchie who was outright nasty, then within a few months and a bit of size on him, was an absoloute dream.

Just let it get a bit bigger and some more confidence. It's not a gaurentee it'll calm down, but it'll sure help.

 

[pretzels]

lol sorry hes a 4 month old spotted python. hes in a 2 footish tank with plenty of hides. hes warm side is between 29-34 depending on the heat of the day and the cool side is 24-27 it gets down to about 26 and 23 at night time.
hes on 2 pinkies at the moment about to move him up to fuzzy mice he gets fed every 7-10 days.
i just want to do the right thing by him and its incredibly hard...

You'll probably find if you leave it alone until it gains some size, it will likely be a lot calmer.

I had a jungle hatchie who was outright nasty, then within a few months and a bit of size on him, was an absoloute dream.

Just let it get a bit bigger and some more confidence. It's not a gaurentee it'll calm down, but it'll sure help.

i had considered this but i was told that it may be likely to make it worse because he will be used to not being handled....

 

[CaptainRatbag]

Pauls, her signature says it is a baby spotted python^

I think she will find her little spotty is going thru the python version of 'the terrible twos' Often young snakes are a bit snappy and bitey.... my 6 month old mdp (Yarrum) is like that at the moment. He is awful to get out of his enclosure, but once out I just dont put myself in the position he is able to bite me (much)

Best advice is just to persevere, make sure temps good, you feed him enough... and try to relax around him. If you are stressed, he will pick up on your stress and be stressed also.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

From what you have there it doesn't sound like you doing anything wrong.
Youngsters tend not to like handling too much, they are busy with the feeding, growing and shedding routine.

Try handling after a shed, before you feed and see what its like then.

And try using an anti bacterial gel on your hands before you try to handle, not suggesting you don't wash your hands but soap scents can sometimes unsettle them as the smell can be quite strong (You do have a lot of animals and it could be their scent that is driving the reaction).

All just my opinion of course

Pauls, her signature says it is a baby spotted python^

Yup, you right.......it is late though

 

[vampstorso]

I'd honestly leave it too relax and get a bit of size...

I'm not personally of the belief that snakes tame with handling like other animals,
but if you are, I'm sure leaving it to relax and gain some confidence will work vs stressful handling,
honestly...my jungle was a mongrel until he got some confidence with size (not much size, but enough!)

 

[pretzels]

i went and got a hook to keep his head away but he still managed to get me! haha hes sneaky if nothing else. i really do want to keep going with him but iv lost any confidence i did have in handling him. im fine being in his cage and cleaning it and changing his water and he sometimes allows his stuff to be moved but if i dare to go anywhere near him **** hits the fan and someone must pay. i try and keep calm about it and the bites dont bother me cuz lets face it theres barely any blood lol.

 

[CaptainRatbag]

2 pinkie mice isn't enough for a feed imo. He needs to be on rat pinkies or fuzzies (depending on his physical size) My mdp eats 2 rat pinkies (or 1 fuzzy) every 7 days or so. If you have mouse pinkies to use up, I would say give him 4-5 mouse pinkies as a feed til you use them up, then get rat fuzzies (or pinkies...depending on his size)

Show us a pic of him

 

[pretzels]

I'd honestly leave it too relax and get a bit of size...

I'm not personally of the belief that snakes tame with handling like other animals,
but if you are, I'm sure leaving it to relax and gain some confidence will work vs stressful handling,
honestly...my jungle was a mongrel until he got some confidence with size (not much size, but enough!)

i wasnt of that belief before either lol. iv only gone of the info iv read and what iv learnt on here.



thanks heaps everyone really appreciate it

according to the shop he is only meant to be on 1 pinkie every 7-10 days. but he was still really snappy after the first one so i fed him two and he seemed satisfied like he has a visible lump for a bit.

 

[vampstorso]

you could offer him more than one in the same sitting if he'll take it,
any photos of him with a feed in his belly? you'd be AMAZED at what they'll fit down that we think is way too big


Goodluck too you, I'm sure he'll likely settle

 

[CaptainRatbag]

^ when he was a tiny tacker 2 months ago, 1 pinkie mouse was prolly (almost) enough. Baby snakes need alot of feeding to grow, they use alot of energy building themselves up. I got Yarrum at about 3 months old.... he has almost doubled in size in the last 3 months :shock: Feed him heaps (but dont go overboard) He will grow strong and wont be so eager to be looking for more food all the time

You got him from a shop? :shock: Wow, must have been expensive..... The shop prolly told you he needs 1 mouse pinkie so you wouldnt think he was going to be expensive to keep Unfortunately, some pet shops dont know alot about snakes (although they think they do) If you ever get more snakes, breeders are the way to go.... imo

 

[pretzels]

the second one was taken tonight the other two are from about a week ago

that first one is the only pic i have of him after feeding..strange i thought i would have more. seeing as how i have a picture of basically e very other moment of his life

 

[vampstorso]

is he on mouse pinkies? looks like he could take something much larger.

I have a hatchie diamond that (based on the photos) is smaller or perhaps the same, and takes two large rat pinkies a feeding, and would probably take more if I let her

 

[CaptainRatbag]

Nice looking spotty He will fit rat pinkies or maybe small fuzzy no worries, imo

 

[pretzels]

^

You got him from a shop? :shock: Wow, must have been expensive..... The shop prolly told you he needs 1 mouse pinkie so you wouldnt think he was going to be expensive to keep Unfortunately, some pet shops dont know alot about snakes (although they think they do) If you ever get more snakes, breeders are the way to go.... imo

luckily my sister works at the pet shop so we got a good deal with him and her friend has a 1 year old spotted that is supposedly the best snake to handle ever.... we get a good deal on his food too

 

[vampstorso]

Infact, based on your snake in your hand, I'm certain my girl is smaller, and yours will shock you with what it'll be able too eat

 

[CaptainRatbag]

Thats great

When I feed multiple food to my guys, I feed them one, then wait for them to put the jaw back together before offering second (and 3rd) I worry if they strike for the next course with the jaw out of place, they might damage it on the follow thru :shock: (my lot strikes like they havent been fed since christmas!) :lol:

 

[pretzels]

ill get him rat pinkies on wednesday. from memory there wasnt any fuzzies there when i went in the other day :/

 

[vampstorso]

you can switch between the two, rat pinkies and mouse fuzzies.

Depends how you see it,
some people would prefer to go up in mice sizes so you get to the bones etc faster for more nutrience,
some people would just stick to rats so they don't have to change over later,
or you can switch between the two so if you ever don't have one, you know they'll eat the other.


I'm having a hard time making one of my yearlings go to rats, so I now stick to rats haha


Let us know how it goes