didn't go so well

[dragonteen]

hi
some of you may remember (it was a long time ago) i had some issues with my pet carpet python, Cyril, who i have had for nearly 3 years now. Cyril was aggressive and at first, this was no problem, because he was so small and his bites didn't hurt, and i got to the stage where i could handle him without any trouble. but about this time last year he started becoming aggressive again and the more i handled him the worse he got, so i left him and now i can't even get him out of his tank. i was scared to put my hand in his tank to change his water because he'd lash out at me and his bites hurt now, he still won't eat dead mice, no matter what i try and i definitely can't handle him, which i'd really like to do. i really feel like i'm not giving him the best he deserves like i could when he was more placid, so i'm giving him to a friend who has some experience with aggressive snakes and i think he'll be much happier.

i'm considering getting another snake with a better temperament, one i can actually take care of that won't try to eat me when i change his water. what would be the best kind to get, one with a good temperament and that gets to a reasonable size (not too big, and not too small) and most importantly, a breed legal in New South Wales, Australia. i was thinking a black headed python after i did a week of work experience at the zoo and they got me to care for them on one of the days, but can they be kept as pets? if not, perhaps a diamond python, my cosin has one, and it seems like a nice breed.

[KORBIN5895]

I am pretty sure a diamond python is just another form of carpet python.

[dragonteen]

I am pretty sure a diamond python is just another form of carpet python.

i think so, they're a subspecies, but they apparently have a better temperament (or so i've been told)

[Lankyrob]

The species of snake is pretty much irrelevant - you can have dog tame scrubs (who are known usually as chainsaws) and highly aggressive Corns (usually recommended as starter snakes).

Each snake is an individual and for every "aggressive" one you will find someone with the same type of snake that is totally passive.

Your snake was probably "defensive" towards you because you were hesitant and scared around it - i have found being confident in my movements stops all bar one of my snakes being defensive towards me.

[h3h]

The species of snake is pretty much irrelevant - you can have dog tame scrubs (who are known usually as chainsaws) and highly aggressive Corns (usually recommended as starter snakes).


Your snake was probably "defensive" towards you because you were hesitant and scared around it - i have found being confident in my movements stops all bar one of my snakes being defensive towards me.


Isn't this the truth. Some species do have a reputation for being more defensive, but every snake has it's own personality. If anyone remembers my first post on this forum I spoke about an Okeetee I had (sold it) that would tag me everytime I went in there. As Rob said confidence makes a huge difference when going to pick up a snake, but in some cases that doesn't even help. Like with the Okeetee I had. Nothing I did changed it's demeanor. Corn Snakes are regarded as some of the more placid snakes, but that isn't always the case.

I remember when I sold it I put something to the effect of "Corns are beginner snakes, but this particular one is not." I'd open the enclosure and it would strike right up in the air at me, or if I put my hand in there for any reason it'd strike...Pick it up? Not an option unless you wanted to get bit. IMO my Okeetee wasn't good looking enough to be just a display snake, so I sold it. A Carpet on the other hand IMO is good looking enough that I'd be fine with it as a display snake.

If you really don't want your Carpet get rid of it, but there are no guarantees on what the new snakes personality is going to be - even if you buy it second hand. Saying a snake is handleable is a good selling point. The 2 Kings I acquired recently were listed as "super tame, and friendly" That is not the case. People will say anything to sell an unwanted snake, and breeders do not have the time or enough men around to hand tame all their snakes. So good luck to you on your search for a snake you can enjoy more thoroughly.

- h3

[MoreliAddict]

Simple solution: handle the snake before you buy it.

When I go to expos and look at Carpets, I always end up meeting placid hatchies, hatchies that are a little bitey, and hatchies that are just a**holes. It depends on the individual snake...

[StudentoReptile]

The species of snake is pretty much irrelevant - you can have dog tame scrubs (who are known usually as chainsaws) and highly aggressive Corns (usually recommended as starter snakes).

Each snake is an individual and for every "aggressive" one you will find someone with the same type of snake that is totally passive.

Your snake was probably "defensive" towards you because you were hesitant and scared around it - i have found being confident in my movements stops all bar one of my snakes being defensive towards me.

Ditto. Weenies that are acting reluctant and nervous are more likely to get bit. Grow a spine and handle the snake with confidence. Sorry if that's some tough love, but seriously...snakes can detect your hesitation and nervousness and in kind, will respond to that more defensively. They are more likely to remain calm and docile in the hands of someone who is confident and not shaking like a leaf!

[StudentoReptile]

Simple solution: handle the snake before you buy it.

When I go to expos and look at Carpets, I always end up meeting placid hatchies, hatchies that are a little bitey, and hatchies that are just a**holes. It depends on the individual snake...

I concur. Handle the snake yourself before you make the purchase.

[brylecc1989]

The only problem is at expos it tends to be kept very chilly. A low ambient temperature will turn even the feistiest snake into a puppy...until it warms up again.

[jaleely]

Use a hook.
my carpet is still defensive, but if i show her the hook she knows who's boss!! lol actually that's a lie, we got the hook for my husband because he is NOT confident when holding ANY of our animals, and if they bite he jerks and i'm worried he'll hurt them.

Once she was past her baby stage of biting everything that moved, she has only bitten me a couple of times...once a feeding response, and another she had crawled up her shelf while i was cleaning her cage...no biggie...but when i went to get her she was in a dark corner and got very defensive.
She will never be a cuddly snake, that's for sure, but i knew she was feisty when i bought her. Something THAT feisty will usually show through no matter what.

Usually these Aussie snakes tend to have a tough attitude, but i do agree handle the baby before taking it home and learn to read their manerisims. I've chosen one snake over another a couple of times based on personality, and while at a show, and my first impression has stayed true so far for them : )

[jenniferjames66]

We have 7 pythons between 4 and 10ft and i have found that alot of the striking is to do with territorial behaviour, once they are out of there enclosure they are usually fine, (except 'mr bitey' the womma, but he's just a bugger of a snake with anyone except the boyfriend) And yes..you have to fake confidence if you dont have it...:laugh: they know, they feel it somehow... Out of all the breeds we have i have found the coastal and the north westerns have the sweetest natures, Our snakes are all held and loved by the kids aged from 6 and up and we've never had an issue (except with 'mr bitey' :rolleyes:) Good luck..

[rmfsnakes32]

I have 13 snakes 6 of those being different corns and one loves to tag you every chance it gets granted its still just a baby. I also have a nicaraguan boa that loves to to bite hard now I knew going into it that was a bitey species! That being said each snake is different I believe with time they can be somewhat manageable if you take the time to work with them!

[dragonteen]

i get what you guys are saying. like i said earlier, i did work experience in the reptile department of Taronga Zoo, where i first saw black headed pythons. they had 3 diamonds i think. one was the perfect pet, docile, calm, never ever has anyone been bit by him to the keeper's knowledge, but one of the other ones was a bit bity. i know every snake is different, but i had heard of certain breeds being more defensive than others. i used to handle him with a stick to get him out, and then put him on the ground and let him calm down before i picked him up, and i did this with confidence, because i knew his bites won't hurt, but after he grew out of the baby stage he was still bity, so kept working with him, but now he doesn't just bite, he latches on to that bit of skin between the thumb and fingers and one day he even coiled around my arm. it took me, my mum and sister to get him off (he wasn't big enough to do any damage then). it couldn't be because i smelt like food, because i hadn't handled mice for weeks. after that he just got worse and i don't think i was showing less confidence. the last time i tried to handle him, i physically couldn't get him out of his tank... i was only ever scared when he got me on the sensitive part of my wrist while i was changing his water one day.
i've heard a lot about corn snakes and my grandpa was going to get me one at first, before Cyril, but then we found out that apparently they're not legal in Australia :(

[Terranaut]

How old is your carpet? Sorry if I missed that above. When picking up a carpet you must just open the door , reach in and pick it up. If you hesitate the snake has a few seconds to decide " nope I don't want this" but if you don't give it that time to think about it most will be fine. My jag still flings around like your killing him taking him out but after that he calms right down. There are some that will never calm down but they are rare. I would just spend 1 week handling him everyday for 5 min only and taking the bites if they happen. Just grab him. He needs to know your the boss and biting does nothing.
Good luck.

[Aaron_S]

Melissa said the best thing. Use a hook.

[shaunyboy]

I am pretty sure a diamond python is just another form of carpet python.

they are a sub species of spilota spilota mate.....

although they need completely different husbandry to all other carpets...

if not looked after properly Diamonds can get Diamond Python Syndrome,its untreatable and causes the Diamonds bones to go brittle,causing a slow painful death

cheers shaun