Re: Tame amazons...

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Posted by natural on December 27, 2002 at 07:55:59:

In Reply to: Tame amazons... posted by redgarter on December 26, 2002 at 11:58:10:

: I was just visiting the forum and saw a post by John Hedger voicing the opinion that ATBs are basically untamable. Well, while I agree that they are most probably untamable when their innate tempers are bad from birth, there are tame specimens out there that are born this way. I should know, as I have a tame line going where most of the specimens I produce are much more relunctant to bite than the average WC specimen, and a few that are downright puppy tame. This pic illustrates the point very well I think, as I was very confident in the security situation before plunking down my quadricolor female in my daughter's eager hands.

:I think any specimen can be provoked to bite, but some, such a my breeding group of 1.2 really need you to work at it, as they have to pressed significantly to bite defensively. I never wear gloves while handling any of the three, and don't even think of the possibility of getting tagged not only in normal handling circumstances, but also while roughhandling them (as when they need to be "unwound" off of some inanimate piece of decor!)

:I felt like I had to clear that up, and also was wondering if any other breeder was working with tame specimens out there?

:Dr.Phil
:Montreal
:

Hi everyone.I really enjoy reading all your
posts on this forum.It's great to have access to your experience and knowlege.As to a tame amazon tree boa, I applaud any and all efforts
to breed a "calm" line of these beautiful
snakes.Most keepers of these guys have come to accept that these snakes are a "look but don't
touch" kind of amimal.Anyone who has been
bitten by a large specimen can attest to that.
However,as someone who trains dogs and also
keeps a few amazon basins, It's much more pleasant to work with an animal that you can
trust,and vise-versa trusts you.I believe it is possible to communicate with an animal by the the way that you handle and touch it.Just
watch two tree boas courting.They are very
aware of the value of a soft,gentle and subdued approach.At least in the beginning of
courtship.I also feel that it is possible to communicate with snakes in the same manner
using your hands and fingertips.I always give
my tree boas a place to go,like a branch or something.Once their head is hooked on it, then you can "communicate" with the snake as it slides through your hands.If the snake is in a hurry to get away from your touch, be satisfied with just allowing it to slide through your hands.We don't want to stressout the snake,and you can tell by how the snake is reacting to your touch.If, however your snake is reasonably calm,as the snake slides through
your hands,very, very, gently hold and release, hold and release,hold and release,as it slides through your hands.As you reach the tail,very gently just hold the tail if the snake is calm and relaxed.What we're trying to comminicate to the snake is that our hands can
be trusted and that when we hold it, we are also going to release it.Also, arboreal snakes
instinctively know what part of their bodies
need support as they climb through the canopy.
You can use this when handling small snakes
by providing support with your fingers where
they instinctually need it,thereby building trust as well.It works on larger snakes as well,although if they're defensive,be careful
not to get bitten.Before you write off this
post as the rantings of a lunatic,let me say
that I work with animals every day and also
do massage/touch therapy on them as well as part of my work.It is possible to communicate
with them through touch,especially snakes,since that's how they communicate with
each other.As to calm, docile,amazon tree boas,I think everyone would love such a snake
providing they were as spectacular as the
bitey ones.Bring em on.I, however will stick
to my sweet,friendly,amazon basin emeralds
for now!Sorry about the long post,but I hope you enjoy it anyway.Happy Holidays.

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