Handling Question

JC86 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2002, 05:32 AM

I try to give my snakes their privacy. Very rarely will I take them out of their hides, only if I need to feed them or clean their cages out during a time of day that they are usually sleeping. I feel that lifting up their hide box causes them stress and will take away some of the security that they feel when in their cages.

This said, I think I may be giving my Rainbow Boa too much privacy and would like your opinions/advice on the subject. I almost never see my rainbow boa. I have had her for over two months now (She is seven months old). She will never come out of her hide when the lights are on. And if I'm gone for the evening, and then come home at night, when I turn my room light on she will skeeeedatle back into her hide.

Because of my 'respect' for my snake's privacy, Ruby (the boa) does not get handled much at all, and is not very tame. I have yet to be bit by her, and she only tries to bite me *after* feeding (I feed out of cage) when I am putting her back.

I really would like to tame her down so that she does not try to flee everytime I handle her. So, after all this rambling I get down to my question. Would it be ok for me to remove her from her hide box once an evening for handling and the such? Or should I just hope she becomes more socialble?

Thanks,
Scott
[addsig]

Bettina · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2002, 04:58 PM

I think it would be fine if you removed her from her hidebox once a night, at least, but if it really bothers you, you could give her a blacklight nightlight so you wouldn't need to turn on the lights when she's out and can snag her before she skidaddles back into her cage. I am constantly pulling my rainbow out of her hide in the evening and she still loves me. She doesn't seem to find her hide less secure.

Bettina
[addsig]

coferj · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2002, 06:08 PM

Well, you definately give yours much more respect for privacy than I do mine. The main reason she skidaddles when you turn on the lights at night and never comes out during the day is b/c she is a nocturnal creature. If you follow the other posters advice and get a blacklight or some other form of lighting that does not inturrupt his day/night cycles, you can still observe the snake at night oblivious to them knowing.
Handling is the key to keeping your snake tame. The more you handle her, the more she gets used to you and doesn't snap at you near as much. I've only had mine snap at me once, and that's when I got him out to soak during his first shed. I hope some of this helps and good luck. We'll be glad to help if you have any other questions.
[addsig]

Constrictor_BO · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2002, 06:33 AM

The more ya hold your snake, the more tame it will be. Dont worry about disturbing the snakes privacy just reach on in there and get it out. Thats why it is so skittish now... too much privacy and not enough attention. Work with it every dat you can.. it will get better

[addsig]

CelticWench · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2002, 06:42 AM

Mine's only a baby, 6 months old, & we've had him just over a month. At first, he was really shy, he hadn't been handled much at all, but we take him out for around 10 to 20 minutes a day, except for when he's shedding or right after he's eaten & he's gotten alot better about being handled. He used to be really active when we would take him out of his cage, always looking for a place to hide, but he's getting more relaxed & confident that we're not a threat when he's on us. I think snakes are like any other animal, the more time they spend around people they more adjusted they become to being held and handled. Just be patient, loving & gentle & over time your snake should become used to you holding her and having her out of her cage. SHe'll realize you're not going to hurt her & she'll trust you.
[addsig]

JC86 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 04:27 AM

Thank you for the responses.

I bought a reptile 'black light' (moonlight) last week, so I hope now she'll come out a little earlier. The evening I posted this I actually found her out of her hide sniffin around so I was able to take her out and handle her for a good 20 minutes and put her back. She didn't make a run for her hide right away so I think she's becoming a little more comfortable. I took her out of her hide also yesterday to clean the tank and put in new bedding and she seemed fine, and then when I took her to/from her feeding tote today she didn't have any problems (first time she didn't seem at all aggressive after feeding, hoo-ray!)

I think I definately have not been handling her enough, and will begin to remidy the situation after she's done digesting in a few days. That's exactly the age my boa is Celtic, and sounds just like yours did before you handlding hme for a while.

Thanks again, hearing your guys' experiences helps a lot. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Scott
[addsig]

Constrictor_BO · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 04:41 AM

Keep a check on the temps while using the blacklight... you dont want the temps getting up too high. Now that I have the airconditioner running, I use a day light during the day along with the UTH and only the UTH at night. The temps in their enclosure run around 82 to 82 with the light and 76 to 78 without. When I am not running the air, the temps usally stay in the mid 80's and drop to 78 to 80 at night with just the UTH.
My BRB's stay in the hideboxes except when I gt them out. I get them out regularly so they are quite used to me going into their enclosure. I have yet to have one get testy with me.
[addsig]

Advertisement