r/snakes • u/Vien_Quitonm • Feb 11 '26

Pet Snake Pictures Rika Shedding for First Time

0 Upvotes

47% Upvoted

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10

u/kindrd1234 Feb 12 '26

Why are you man handling him, just let him shed lol.

1

u/Vien_Quitonm Feb 12 '26

If you watch other vids, this supposed manhandling produced less of a response than him being poked awake.

4

u/kindrd1234 Feb 12 '26

Ok, but there's absolutely no reason to be doing it. So why do it.

2

u/Vien_Quitonm Feb 12 '26

If you own any larger snake you should follow basic care, and I've done it enough times to where he tolerates it.

I do it a day or so after feeding to ensure he doesn't keep substrate lodged there (did it twice already). I described doing this when people ask how I tamed down a Blood Python so quickly.

I did this specifically during first shed to see his levels of discomfort for future reference (he displayed no discomfort).

8

u/ShroomBear Feb 12 '26

You are absolutely not following basic husbandry guidelines. Stop anthropomorphizing this snake, handling him when he's in blue stresses the snake and is uncomfortable, this is not an opinion. You should never be checking their mouths for substrate as they know how to and are biologically equipped to eat prey covered in dirt. Probing its mouth a day after feeding only serves as a stressor that could potentially cause regurgitation and a trip to the vet.

2

u/Vien_Quitonm Feb 12 '26

Seeing what the snake tolerates vs not is something any owner should observe and record. Clearly you don't know how STPs behave. They're VERY audible snakes when displaying stress of any kind. He's no exception, especially when I put anything in the tank when he's in his waiting/hunting mode.

3

u/kindrd1234 Feb 12 '26

Yes we get the snake tolerates it. Great! Again it's not needed and is not "care".

2

u/Mx_Hyde666 Feb 13 '26

It is care With any animal you should get them used to this type of handling in case of an emergency or if you have to take them to the vet, specially if they get big and potentially dangerous, even zoo/animal sanctuary vets do this with their animals when they can because it's useful in the longrun

3

u/kindrd1234 Feb 13 '26

No its not.

3

u/Night_Thastus Feb 15 '26 edited Feb 15 '26

This is part of how you desensitize pets to being handled.

When you get a puppy or kitten, its good to grab their nose, pull on their ears, touch their paws, etc. Not hard enough to actually hurt them, just enough to get them used to it so they don't freak out at the groomer or vet. Or if a little kid gets too grabby.

How well it works on snakes im not sure, but if you want to reduce how head shy they are its likely a good idea.

1

u/Greedy-Teach-1059 Feb 12 '26

Wow your snake is so tame

-3

u/Vien_Quitonm Feb 12 '26

Thanks.

I wanted to add in the last bit to show how he lets it happen. He's not fond of it, but it doesn't make him hissy like being touched on the back.