new rock

[damianthesnakeman]

I got a new african rock python the other day and it is an agressive little thing. I was just wondering if anyone knows some good ways to handle them that will help tame tame them down better or if I just need to wait it out. I have never had a snake this agressive but it is still very young and small...just about 3 ft long. Anyway any ideas would be appriciated.

[bigcountry]

i hear you gotta look em in the eye!

[damianthesnakeman]

wouldnt looking them in the eye kinda invite getting bit? lol

[glima]

handle her while its still small, dont be afraid of her, use gloves if you desire.

just show her you are not afraid, not handling and waiting some time makes them get used to hands off.

not that i have had an african rock, but well, it ussually works on other animals.


look it in the eye! and be quick dodging certain strikes!


actually, with a dog, if you look them at the eye and be pretty still makes them feel uneasy, so i wouldnt reccomend it. (i know we arent talking about dogs)

[redtails]

I agree with glima, but be VERY quick when you dodge. 3 of my afrocks were biters before I held them a lot and all are nice now. Just with little ones don't wear thick leather gloves cuz it'll break their teeth more than your skin will although little cuts aren't that desired. Good luck.

[SNAKEWISPERA]

were gloves and let it move round in your hands and keep it away from your face

[SNAKEWISPERA]

post some pics if you could please

[damianthesnakeman]

will work on posting some pics soon its a pretty snake and already starting to calm down a bit but still biting every chance it gets. I guess its just gonna take time

[damianthesnakeman]

well I thought I had my rock tamed down some till yesterday when it decided to go postal on me lol only instead of bullets it was teeth he was throwing at me. I managed to not get bit but still I have never seen a python that strikes that fast I am used to burms and ball pythons mostly. I keep handling my rock but I am a little more cautious about it...and as soon as I figure out how to get pics on here I will post some

[glima]

go to tutorial :ndeal:

[damianthesnakeman]

I know I am juat trying to get them off my girlfriends phone lol and make them big enough to actually see them

[Amon]

If its a snake that small i usually just take the bites from it. It seems to be a better way of showing them that biting isn't effective.

[snakewispera snr]

Listen guys, I would suggest before you go picking up these rocks you look at it from their point of view.gloves only protect YOU. If you done that to me I'd bite you. Start by sitting by your viv wear gloves but only stroke your snake. let it know who you are.Eventually it will calm down. This can be a very long process, but it will get to know you are not a threat.then support its weight in the viv.go in little steps.it will be worth it in the long run.
Ive worked like this lots of times (retic's anaconda's and rock's) and they've all ended up real laid back,(well exept for the anaconda)

[BallBoy]

If its a snake that small i usually just take the bites from it. It seems to be a better way of showing them that biting isn't effective.

thats what im screamin.... while it may not feel good to you its better for the snake... their not stupid and will eventualy learn that bittin u will do no good and your still goin to pick them up anyway

[damianthesnakeman]

yeah I have been trying that method too lol he seems less stressed out by being held but still not as tame as I expected...most snakes I have delt with get tired of biting pretty quick but this one is a beast lol...I am just gonna keep being patient and work with the snake as much as possible