RCReptiles.com

[deborahbroadus]

From 277 Secrets Your Snake and Lizard Wants You to Know: Paulette Cooper.

"Although a snake is never going to lick your face like a dog or rub its tail against your leg like a cat, it is possible to do certain things that over time will get your snake to "like" you more.

1. Handling--especially when young--does make some snakes, well cuddlier. Dave Karmann, a naturalist educator at the Trailside Nature Museum in NY, found when he taught at an all-girl's school and each snake was assured of at least one hour of being held each school day, after weeks and months of being caressed by a roomful of thirteen- to seventeen-year old girls, this "mellowed out the most reluctant of my fellows." (Of course, regularly being cuddled by young girls would probably mellow out any fellow, not just the no-legged kind.)

2. Holding a snake close to your body may help it get to like you more. Karmann sometimes puts his small snakes in his tucked and belted shirt pockets, and leaves them there for hours. "After a while, in this dark and cozy place, they get used to the feel and smell of the person and it helps." Not to mention deterring any pickpockets!

3. The younger your snakes are when you start handling and holding them, especially if you start when they are hatchings, the better off you may be later. (Caressing eggs prior to hatch won't make any difference.)

4. Buy captive-born (a no-brainer) rather than WC or wild-born snakes, since the latter may think anyone handling them -- or even noticing them -- is preparing to eat them.

5. Be as calm as possible whenever you handle your snake. the owner of ten pythons and five boas says, "I use the 'no fear' approach. The snakes can sense it if I'm afraid, and if I act like I'm not afraid, they relax much quicker."

6. Restrain yourself from restraining them. As one person admitted, "If I ever restrain them, they immediately go nuts. When they are gently supported, they are much easier to calm down."

7. Don't yank snakes. They don't like it. (Would you?) Touch them carefully. (You can yank a doodle dandy, but don't yank a snake.)

8. Occasionally keep the habitat temperature at the low end, maybe lowering it two to four degrees, so that when you pick the snake up, you're a treat. This is what Charles Mosher, who always has good ideas about snakes, calls a "dirty trick," and he suggested the next two as well.

9. Create a "dining room" - like atmosphere for your snake to eat in, and only give it food when its mood is right. In other words, take the snake out and feed it in a separate container--but not if it's acting surly. If it is, keep it in its "bedroom" and try again later. (One joker points out that admonishments are probably useless. "No dessert for you until you realize what a bad bad snake you've been.")

10. Handle snakes at times that are right for them, says Mosher. Boids, for example, are nocturnal snakes, so to calm them down, and get them closer to you, you should handle and feed them at night.

Is There Such a Thing As a "Lap" Snake?Snakes who like to curl in your lap or be held may not be reacting emotionally, they may simply like to be where it's warm, and a human body, especially a lap, is a warm place to curl up.
But for whatever reason, some snakes do like to sit on, or stay with, or be close to their owners. "My ball python is the closest thing to a lap snake I've seen," says Frank Gould, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and owner of Reptile Rescue and Rehab, in Towson, Maryland. "It's calm and willing to tolerate being handled."
Says another of his snake: "Once mine calms down and finds a comfy spot on my lap, it will stay there for hours." And says a third: "It's usually pretty happy sitting on us, or near us. Or else it's trying to climb the lamp.""

Thanks to the author for his entertaining suggestions!

[SJ126]

Thanks Deb! I think it does, you see when i got her she was really squirrly and feral. I got her to mellow out some but she still balls up when i open her lid. Then sometimes when i'm handling her she'll draw back into a striking position... I don't know, maybey I'm just being paranoid... It also bothers me to see other people hold her sometimes, like some of my friends are kind of rough with and around her and i just about freak! Is this anywhere near normal? I heard that it is kind of bad to get a snake into a hecktic atmosphere, and that's when it really bothers me. Anyone else on here have issues like that? Deb? Nick? Ron? Anyone?

[Buck_99]

Your hectic atmosphere question is a tough one. I've got three kids running around my house, and I'll be having a peaceful moment with one of my snakes when all the kids and their friends come tearing into the room and suddenly it's all "Can I pet the snake? Can I touch the snake? Can I kiss the snake?" Etc. Kids make lots of sudden movements and all of a sudden snake du jour is hiding its head. So in our house, the rule is when a snake is out, it's me and one other person in the room.

Now I was a volunteer at a "reptile day" at a museum last winter, and there were snakes out and about with all kinds of chaos going on and they were completely unphased. One experience really stands out: they had an 8' red tail boa out, and I asked if I could touch him. "Sure," they said. So I gently stroked him and gradually worked my way to its neck. It never moved. The keeper then told me I didn't have to be so gentle and started scratching the snake under its chin (which it appeared to appreciate) and rubbing the snake like it was a big dog, and slapped him pretty good at the end, like some folks pat a dog a little harder at the end to let them know that petting time is over. Only without the fur, it sounds like a slap. Didn't phase the snake in the slightest.

Different species, true, but I've seen some BP's that really are more secure than they're supposed to be. And I've seen good breeders handle their BP's less gingerly than I handle mine, and I realize there's nothing wrong with that because the snakes are healthy and obviously secure in their environment.

Each snake is a unique individual, so you should closely observe your pet's behaviors and adjust your behaviors according to your instincts. Use the guidelines Deb posted above as a starting point because they're good, well established practices and a safe bet.

[SJ126]

Oh and one more thing! It says that snakes won't lick your face... Well Perritas does! I hold her up to my nose and she flick her toung out and graze my nose. This can happen as much as 5 times in a row without fail. Just thought you guys might find this interesting.

[Mel]

I probably shouldn't add this but...

I've been known on occasion to kiss my BP's neck or head (he doesn't mind) and 90% of the time I am awarded with a return "kiss". Occasionally on the lips too!!! :P

[Draftstone]

[Buck_99]

I had one of my BP's hang out with me on Halloween as a prop. The plan was to hang out at home and be the creepy dude handing out candy (I have a great costume, including this fake wooden staff with a serpent's head, and that was her perch), but Mrs. 99 dragged me out to trick-or-treat with the kids. The temperature dropped quickly, so I dropped the snake into my shirt, up against my skin. She was quite warm there and settled in quickly, and we were out for about an hour.

She's hung out with me like this before and seems to be ok with it, and doesn't seem too eager to go back into her tub. Ironically, she's one that shows the most displeasure when disturbed, but after a long handling session, the least desire to return to her dark little cubby hole.

[PyMama]

Buck I think we need to see a pic of your halloween costume and prop....give us some ideas for next year!

[SJ126]

I agree with Py Mama. I need an inspiration for next year.