I need some help with my first snake…

[Janie83]

Hello.

My first snake arrived today. An 11month old Bredli, and she was mid way through shedding when I opened the bag to check her.
She seems like she is doing well, but as soon as I let her out of the bag and into her enclosure, she turned around and struck at the door twice. This being my first snake, I am not too sure how to handle this behaviour, any ideas?
I need to get into the cage to check the lighting and heating etc…

 

[pythons73]

You should have had it all ready b4 you received the snake,let it settle into its enclosure for atleast a week,or two b4 you try and handle it,then after that you can offer a feed,being new the snake will be stressed,after this time you will have a much easier time trying to handle it,good luck...

 

[gozz]

Dont panic if it stikes at you ,and dont be put off she will settle down with time. Leave her for a couple of days then offer a feed. Make sure you contact the breeder and ask what the snake was feeding on first so you can get the right food item. I myself feed my new pythons on the first day they arrive and have 90% that eat streight away and 100 % within the week when it has digested the food then start to handle cheers

 

[mysnakesau]

How big is the enclosure? An 11month old is still very much a baby and putting them into an enclosure too big can frighten them which will cause snappy striking, too. But to get him out, you could use a snake hook which will also be less stress on the snake. Use the hook to gently lift him out and then onto your hands. Many snakes settle once out their enclosures but can be defensive towards intruders whilst in their tanks.

Your confidence will get better in time. First time snakes, and strikey ones can be intimidating to new handlers. But once you learn his behaviour patterns you will find yourself ignoring his protests and reaching in to get him anyway. And you will learn what actions are making him strike and avoid those actions can create a much calmer individual.

 

[tenacres1100]

Hello.

My first snake arrived today. An 11month old Bredli, and she was mid way through shedding when I opened the bag to check her.
She seems like she is doing well, but as soon as I let her out of the bag and into her enclosure, she turned around and struck at the door twice. This being my first snake, I am not too sure how to handle this behaviour, any ideas?
I need to get into the cage to check the lighting and heating etc…

if she is half way through shedding you need to keep an eye on her, it's not good to handle them when shedding as the old skin can dry out and stick to her. wait until she's hiding and then adjust your temps she would have struck out as a fear responce with the move, don't worry about it let her settle for a week or so, unless she doesn't shed the rest of her skin

 

[pythonmum]

The behaviour is normal. If she has a few hide boxes, you can check temps, etc. when she is hiding during the day. She will come out looking for food at night. As others recommend - feed her right away. They are always hungry after shedding and it will help her settle in. I'm another fan of hooks for nervous snakes. They are generally fine when they are out of the enclosure, but getting them out can be nerve-wracking if you are not experienced.

 

[the.badger]

Even if she does bite you, it won't hurt I promise. We have a 10 month old Bredli, he bites me sometimes. Once you've been bitten you won't be scared anymore because you'll know just how much it doesn't hurt!

 

[XKiller]

has it bit you yet? my old bredli frequentley bit me for some reasoin it doesnt hurt promise

 

[KaneMortlock]

It does shock though. Perhaps because of the speed of the movement. So try not to suddenly pull away as this can hurt the snake (whose teeth are caught in you when you suddenly jerk your hand away).

Oh, interestingly, snake bites seem to bleed quite a bit for how minor the injury is. Curious thing. They bleed, then you wipe the blood away once and it stops. Odd wound.

Anywho, better to not get bitten if you can avoid it. I always use a pillow case if I'm doubtful about a snake's nervousness/handleability. Just put the pillow case over his head (chuck it if you must!), then grab his head/neck under the pillow case gently, but firmly enough so he can't bail on you. I then pass my snake's head to my other hand so I can get rid of the pillow case.

As soon as my grip is not a crushing grip of death, but a friendly, gentle grip that allows them to get their head and neck free, my snakes relax, realising I'm not trying to kill them, and are then handle-able. Getting them free and out of their enclosure seems to help, too.

Finally, when I'm handling one that I'm not confident in, I don't let it have access to strike my face at any time. I let it slide away from me quite a bit, (they don't like being held by the neck, so hold them back a bit from here by just putting your flat hand under them so they can slide away from you on it, then bring them back and let them do it again). Support their lower half with your other hand. My snakes seemed to calm down when I drapped them over my neck, too. I kind of rub one side and keep track of the head with my other hand. But my snakes are quite a bit bigger than yours.

Anywho, just remember, they are scared of you. So show them you mean them no harm while not getting tagged yourself! Oh, and don't smell like mice/rats. Don't attempt to handle soon after feeding. Or when approaching a shed.

 

[Janie83]

Thanx so much for the help
It’s very much appreciated.
She has finished shedding now, and has settled down too. I am now able to open the door and fix the lights etc… I’d post a pic, but I have no idea how.
I think she is a tad large for an 11month old snake though. She is about 90cm! I had in my mind that she would be a lot smaller. I was concerned her enclosure would be too big, but now, I’m hoping it’s not too small.

 

[pythonmum]

She sounds like a normal size. My Bredls (10 - 11 months) are just over a metre long and weigh 211 g (male) and 289 g (female). They are currently eating adult mice. I hope that helps for your reference. Check out the articles on the SXR site to help you understand your snake's behaviour and needs. http://www.sxr.com.au/RA ARTICLE PAGE.htm

 

[tenacres1100]

Thanx so much for the help
It’s very much appreciated.
She has finished shedding now, and has settled down too. I am now able to open the door and fix the lights etc… I’d post a pic, but I have no idea how.
I think she is a tad large for an 11month old snake though. She is about 90cm! I had in my mind that she would be a lot smaller. I was concerned her enclosure would be too big, but now, I’m hoping it’s not too small.

load a photo to photobucket and copy and paste it

 

[Janie83]

See if this works...
Knowing my luck, probly not.

 

[Janie83]

Wrong way round, but i did it

 

[KaaTom]

ooohhh I love her....!

 

[disasterpiece7.0]

Very nice bredli there.

 

[tenacres1100]

See if this works...
Knowing my luck, probly not.

wow!!!! very nice looking python you got there