| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| tk72 |
Posted - 14/08/2013 : 21:49:31
Any ideas people. Posted a couple of months back about Cola being a pain when I try to get him out of Viv. Loads of tail rattling and hissing. It has continued and don't know what to do. Our first snake died and we got Cola and all was good for a bit then all of a sudden he has become all moody. He never strikes just postures up which I don't mind, but the kids are beginning to be scared of him. My wife has never liked him as she is not a snake person. Me and the kids love having a snake but its becoming harder as he is getting bigger and they are not wanting to get hands on which will probably make him worse. Any ideas? Or anyone want to part ex a snake for a happier one. Lol
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| gaz1974 |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 21:50:05
I think you've hit the nail on the head Smart Bunny... seems like great advice.  |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 17:26:11
Just one thing - you say Cola is OK when out and only a problem when getting out of the viv. Our kids are 9 and 5, and I wouldn't let them get any of the snakes out of the viv for the simple facts that a) the snakes don't necessarily co-operate with being got out and may try to hide, b) if they do then try to hide it is more difficult to get them out, so I wouldn't want the chld to be either stressing the snake by faffing about with getting them, or worrying the child by them being unable to. Have you let the kids get Cola out in the past? Maybe it is their slightly less efficient handling of her which has caused her to become a little more viv defensive? If she is fine once out then why not just have a rule that only you are allowed to get her out, then once she is out and you know she has calmed down the kids get to hold her, that way they only ever have contact with her once she is calm so they don't become nervous of her. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 15:14:41
IMO.. Focus on building the confidence of the kids.
Cola sounds fine
quote:
He never strikes just postures up ... handling we open Viv and lift of hide if she is in one. Then slowly put hand in and scoop her up. Once out she is a pleasure.
Although the gender bending might be ticking Cola off a bit
Spend some time with your kids and explore the worry, sad to say they are likely picking up some of the missus' apprehension, you're going to have to work against that to bring them round.
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| tk72 |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 10:47:46
Hi welshlamb we have a separate box for feeding and we handle every other day mostly. On handling we open Viv and lift of hide if she is in one. Then slowly put hand in and scoop her up. Once out she is a pleasure. Just getting her out is the problem. I'm not worried about getting tagged. Just the kids(8and5) want to help out with her and they are worried.
Moppet Cola is coming up to two years old. And we have been trying for around 2 months to get past this behaviour. I want to try and keep Cola as we all like her. Just its getting harder the more the kids worry. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 09:24:47
It's a shame that your kids are nervous of him. Young snakes are often a bit defensive/nervous when you go to pick them up. They do calm down with age and patient handling. The best thing to do in my experience is ignore the posturing and attitude and just get them out with confidence. They quickly learn that it doesn't help to be a grouch and that it isn't so bad anyway. I do hope you continue with him and get past this bad phase  |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 09:13:34
Hi tk72
Sorry to hear about Cola, I understand how your feeling. I had the same issue with my California king, I'm the only one who handles. She was a nightmare when she came home, rattling, spraying and doing whatever she could to scare off the big predator 'ME'.
It may be worth you posting in the classified area on this website with your area. It is probably still possible to tame Cola. It sounds to me like Cola is being vivarium defensive.
Where have you been feeding Cola?
How often do you handle?
How do you approach handling?
May sound like silly questions, but this made a big difference with Belle. I think her breeder had been feeding her in the vivarium and she'd hardly had contact with humans.
I made sure she ate in a rub and was handled daily but in short intervals. It's better to push through all the behaviours, the worst that can happen is you get tagged. Which is not going to hurt much more than a scratch.
I understand your concern for your family. But I think you should just try and push through this. As you could end up in the same position or worse with another snake. Try to remain calm and confident during handling, this may help the family come around. Harder said than done, with a defensive snake.
Best of luck |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 00:42:28
If he's fine out of the viv, how about getting a hide for him that can be removed from the viv, then opened so you can take him out? It's often how we get our king snake out, since she's proving difficult to tame. Just a suggestion, might help. |
| tk72 |
Posted - 15/08/2013 : 00:08:28
gaz. Temps are all great. Calms down when out of Viv. Poos regular two or three days after eating. No incidents of being scared.
Lee. Yep healthy and strike feeds once a week on a large mouse.
Just hard work watching the kids worry every time we go to get Cola out. |
| Lee |
Posted - 14/08/2013 : 22:51:30
Is he healthy and eating well? |
| gaz1974 |
Posted - 14/08/2013 : 22:49:56
Oh dear... must be quite distressing for you 
I'm afraid that I am a newbie so cannot offer any advice based on actual experience but I guess there may be a few logical questions to ask to try and find out why Cola is being this way...
Does he calm down once out and being handled?
Have the temps changed in the viv?
When did he last poo?
Has there been any incident that could have scared him?
Like I said I'm no expert and don't have the benefit of experience so could be barking up the wrong tree but thought I would offer my thoughts anyway.
Good luck... keep us posted. |
