| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 16/04/2012 : 19:46:02
Recently got my first royal, around 45 cm, when I first put him in his enclosure he was happy and docile but now whenever I put my hand into his enclosure or go to pick him up he either hisses like there's no tomorrow or lifts his neck and head of the floor and curls into an s shape as if he is going to strike! How can I calm him down an get him used to me? |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 08/05/2012 : 23:07:18
Still never been bit, my angry little corn had a good go before though! I was off guard trying to clean his tank a bit and he had a misplaced strike! Lucky escape, infact no, he's thinner than my little finger! |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 08/05/2012 : 20:58:22
Its the initial shock thats the worse bit but they strike about three times faster than human reaction times so pulling away in pointless, worrying about it is pointless too as by the time you know its happening, its over. If its a feeding response there may be a small chance of them not letting go straight away or even giving you a thoroughly good squeeze to go with it just concentrate on how amazingly strong they are and I'm sure you'll be more fascinated than hurting. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 08/05/2012 : 18:43:41
Josephine it doesn't hurt at all but it is fast and frightening tasks a long time to get used to. |
| josephine stannah |
Posted - 08/05/2012 : 18:35:15
i raelly want to know if it hurts when they bite u? and BurnedAtTheStake i think she is 3 mouths 18 days
|
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 29/04/2012 : 16:35:34
Ahh he's all good now! Finished shedding, had him out a few times.. Still hissing when I try to pick him up but no striking or anything. Just the nerves I think! :) I would post a pic but I don't think you can on my phone :( |
| n/a |
Posted - 26/04/2012 : 21:17:36
Cool - I'm sure he'll be fine - we need pics too! |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 26/04/2012 : 21:00:42
Ralph's nearly finished shedding now, going to bite the bullet and just pick him up after his next feed :) |
| Waley333 |
Posted - 25/04/2012 : 21:43:11
Hello Josephine... (:
What I'm going to say will just back up what BATS has already said about them just curling up but when I first started handling Osiris, he wasn't hissing but whenever I use to put my hand in to handle him he would always be in an 'S' shape so I instantly thought he's going to bite me. LOL.
After many attempts, I eventually just plucked up thee courage and thought if he's going to bite he'll do it within seconds of me putting my hand in. Especially if he's being Faun defensive. So off I went with all that plucked up courage, and as normal, Osiris was in his 'S' shape, making me more nervous by thee second. LOL. But as soon as I touched him, he shot back behind his tail and curled up bless him. At that point, it's easy to pick them up then as normally thee thickest part of them is on show. Now, he's quite happy for me to pick him up.
Just thought I would try and back up what BATS as said. They're not called Ball Pythons for no reason. Hehe. And normally, whenever mine is scared, he will just curl up and eventually come out of his ball shape when he feels safe... (: Good luck with her anyway. |
| n/a |
Posted - 25/04/2012 : 21:28:56
Hi Josephine and welcome.
My first response would be - just pick her up. She will no doubt be balled up - just cup both hands round her and gently pick her up. Shahi, my first royal, hissed at me as a baby and I wondered if he might bite, but he never did. You might have to wait for her to unroll like a hedgehog; she will tongue flick, an eye will peep out of her coils, and a small royal will start making friends.
However - must ask - how long have you had her? Many royals are nervous and hissy when settling in, and it's a good idea to wait until after 3 consecutive feeds before starting to handle - and always wait until 48 hours after a feed before handling.
Setup - there's a caresheet on here outlining setup, but I'd add, is it private and dim enough for a royal, with plenty of cover for her to hide? You may not see her in these conditions but she will be happy and gain confidence (sorry if you've sorted all this already.)
Good luck with her and any more questions, just ask, and keep us posted, be interested to know how you go on with her. Oh, and pics - we do love pics on this forum lol! |
| josephine stannah |
Posted - 25/04/2012 : 21:10:52
every night i go into my viv to try and pic her up but she is always sleeping so when i try and pic her up she hissis and i keep thinking she is gunna bite me! wat do i do?? |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 23/04/2012 : 16:28:35
Thanks for all the advice ! :) |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 23/04/2012 : 11:24:47
If you are nervous when going in to pick up a nervous or frightened snake then it is more likely to pick up your nerves as your movements wont be confident and clear what you are doing.
You are also as well to get through this stage of possible bites while they are little, most bites will bounce off when they are little maybe leave you with a few dots but its nothing but a scratch, an older snake hits harder and is larger so will cause more injury (I use the term injury loosely, its a few spike marks lol).
If it helps you to feel more confident stick a glove and long sleeve top on, then just get on with picking him up, once they are up then you will see its a totally different snake, once it realises you're not there to hurt or eat him. |
| HaydenK |
Posted - 22/04/2012 : 23:12:01
I am guessing (if it is not the shed causing the problem) that it is like having a jumpy snake. Ratchet was extremely jumpy and after 2 or 3 weeks of handling and my confidence growing at the same time, now he is much calmer and active. |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 18/04/2012 : 17:14:59
Good news! I went into Ralph's tank today to change his water and his eyes are blue, going to shed so I think that's the source of my angry little fella! |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 22:04:26
Ok thanks mate, I'll try this aswell hopefully it'll sort him out :) |
| Danno91 |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 21:36:47
The advice I am about to give I received of a member on this site, my albino is very similar I don't get hissing but he is very viv defensive and will strike whin I'm spot cleaning, he used to strike when I tried to get him out to but now he doesn't
What I do is spread my hand so it's as big as possible bring my hand in with my palm over his head, at this point he usually balls up (not always), I then curl my fingers round the back of him and pull him out.
Once out I have never had any issues I can put him on my bed to explore and pick him up with no issues
I did find the first few times of this even when he was out he essed up or stayed balled up but never struck out of the viv
Good luck give a week or so to settle in and just give it ago |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 18:01:53
I don't want him to turn round and bite though haha I'll do it anyway I suppose it's the best way, to just get on with it, I'm going to try the sock/cloth idea too, thanks for the advice :) |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 10:49:45
He will calm down naturally once he gets used to his environment, and approaching from the back is the best way to avoid a bite, but snakes do bite unfortunately and it's something you will get used to even if you don't think you will :) took me 45 mins to get my first royal out while hissing lol now I do it in a heartbeat |
| Lorraine |
Posted - 17/04/2012 : 00:00:54
Good luck. I'm sure you'll get there with him. Some just take longer than others unfortunately. |
| Leedxmg |
Posted - 16/04/2012 : 22:30:42
Okay, and yeah i have been trying to approach from behind him but still hissing I'll try again in a week or so thanks :) |
