I've only had him for a month. He came from a friend who handled him every day. It hung out around her neck, in her lap, around her wrist etc.
If I had wanted a toy, I would have bought a PS3 game.
Hulk is handled every couple of days. Does the snake "reset" and go back to a traditional "snake attitude" with a change of ownership?
Perhaps I should lock his door and ignore him until it's feed time just so I'm not labled the "snake molester".
I've never ripped him off his perch. I place my hands around him and he comes off on his own accord.
I'd say it has every choice when it comes to being "ripped" off his perch! If he shows me signs that he wants to be left alone, he is left alone.
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A stuffed toy you reckon?
And people wonder why forums are getting quieter with responses such as yours.
I find it exceptionally disappointing to read such a post from a site sponsor.
You are in no position to judge me. You don't know me or my pets.
I'd refrain from such posts in the future, unless of course you are the resident forum bully.
I think you've missed the point being made my friend. Unfortunately some of us are a little less diplomatic in their replies and admit that I've been guilty of the same offence some times. From what I read of Jamie and Wokkas' posts it appears to me that they are only concerned with the welfare of the animal. They are very knowledgeable on the subject of keeping reptiles and if one is truly concerned about the welfare of their animal, their advise should not be overlooked.
FYI: Reptiles are simple creatures that do not have the ability to acknowledge or display emotional traits such as affection. They do not have the ability or interest to attach themselves to their keeper. I relate to them the same as fish, that being, they are a look at animal and not a (for want of better words) play with me animal. They are completely different to other domestic pets and has been stated only tolerate being handled.
I can completely understand that you want to make a connection with your animal as it is human nature for one to want to attach themselves to their charges but, unfortunately as far as snakes go they do not have the same concerns and overhandling them can (and often does) have a detrimental effect on their long term well being. I might add that just because the previous owner handled the critter on a daily basis doesn't make it right. What a lot of inexperience keepers mistakenly view as "a connection and friendship" is a result of a misunderstanding of how a snake views their world.
You ask, "Does a snake "reset" and go back to a traditional "snake attitude" with a change of ownership?" Well to answer that I can only say that they never loose their snake attitude. They possess an attitude that is only concerned with survival and this does not involve a relationship with their keeper.
Given the analogy you have chosen I don't know think it has a choice in displaying any sign that it wants to be left alone. I think that you'll find that it doesn't matter whether it is plucked from it's perch or has hands wrapped around it the snake views both acts as a threat and/or intimidation and acts on instinct to remove its self from what it perceives as a threat. Just because it crawls on your hands does not mean that it likes you, it means that the snake views this as its only means of escape. Maybe it would be a better test if you left the door of the cage open and then see if it chooses to come out and crawl on your person or go in a different direction.
I'll add, that I'm not trying to have a go or judge you, I'm simply trying to explain why a snake reacts in certain situations and how it views the world.
Cheers,
George