I recently was given a Stimson python unsexed. The previous owner was a young boy who for various reasons stopped looking after the python, his mother disliked snakes so did not pick up the responsibility. So I have this snake now. I've sorted out its food (it was under fed) and it has adequate heating and a clean enclosure now. However it is quite a bitey creature. It bites me every time I handle it, bites and latches on. I have handled other snakes before that are not like this. I've started handling / holding it quitely for 1/2 hour each day and I do wear thin leather gloves. Any suggestions on what more I should do to help this snake? I would really like it to bite less.
Help With Second Hand Stimson Python
- Thread starter Danielle
- Start date
Help Support Aussie Pythons & Snakes Forum:
- Status
Good to hear it's finally getting proper care,
When a snake bites it usually comes down to two things, defense or food, if it is latching onto your hand and wrapping it's most likely seeing you as food, or smelling food on you. How often are you feeding it? And is there a sizeable lump in it's belly after? A well fed snake is usually a much calmer one.
It could also be conditioned to associate the opening of it's enclosure with food, ie the warm item be it rat/hand is food. To counter this, i'd suggest getting a snake hook and using that to get it out of the tank, maybe hold it on the hook for a few minutes before you attempt to handle.
Lastly, maybe reduce handling time, snakes don't like handling they only tolerate it, 10-15 minutes every other day is sufficient (not 24-48hrs after feeding), for this one, you want to aim to reduce the stress. It sounds like it wasn't handled much, start at 5 minutes or so and work your way up.
Hope this helps,
When a snake bites it usually comes down to two things, defense or food, if it is latching onto your hand and wrapping it's most likely seeing you as food, or smelling food on you. How often are you feeding it? And is there a sizeable lump in it's belly after? A well fed snake is usually a much calmer one.
It could also be conditioned to associate the opening of it's enclosure with food, ie the warm item be it rat/hand is food. To counter this, i'd suggest getting a snake hook and using that to get it out of the tank, maybe hold it on the hook for a few minutes before you attempt to handle.
Lastly, maybe reduce handling time, snakes don't like handling they only tolerate it, 10-15 minutes every other day is sufficient (not 24-48hrs after feeding), for this one, you want to aim to reduce the stress. It sounds like it wasn't handled much, start at 5 minutes or so and work your way up.
Hope this helps,
Thanks Iguana, I've had it for at least 2 months now. I was initially feeding nearly twice a week until I spoke to pet shop and went up 2 sizes in food it is now on junior rats. Then started once a week feeding for about a month, then once every 10 days for about a month and have just dropped back to once every 14 days. I also remove the snake and place in another container for feeding. Was only handling for less than 5 mins initially and not often because of having to allow for all that feeding and shedding. Snake has probably nearly doubled in size (length and width) in the time I've had it.
Well after reading somewhere I tried something new today. I opened the snakes door and let it come to me....no bite . I think you're right Iguana, I'll need a snake hook if I want to fetch it out of it enclosure. But it seemed pretty happy to come out by itself today. Thanks for your advice.
pinefamily
Very Well-Known Member
Some snakes never get over being cage defensive. Once out, they are usually calm.
- Status
