Most individuals who purchase a reptile hope to get pleasure from its firm, not simply by way of a window into an enclosure, however on their lap, on their shoulder, or of their hand. Even breeders and different hobbyists who aren’t trying to find a companion nonetheless have to deal with their animals to ensure they’re wholesome or transfer them to a brand new location for enclosure cleansing. Sadly, not all reptiles are pleasant from the get-go—and that may imply some nasty bites.
Biting would possibly occur as a result of your reptile is scared, hungry, territorial—the listing goes on. Nonetheless, you don’t want to easily settle for that your scaly pal shall be a biter without end. Actually, you would possibly solely be permitting the conduct to worsen should you don’t tackle it early. Listed here are some suggestions for methods to take care of a bitey reptile in order that each you and your animal can get pleasure from a extra relaxed encounter.
Optimistic Reinforcement
Animals might be conditioned over time to grasp actions which are fascinating—or undesirable—based mostly on their penalties. For reptiles that prefer to chew, offering constructive outcomes when they’re doing one thing aside from biting is a good way to redirect them to extra favorable behaviors.
As an example, suppose that your tegu likes to chase and chew your sneakers as you stroll. Think about strolling by way of the room and doing nothing when the tegu expenses. Then, when the tegu loses curiosity and begins to stroll away, toss a small piece of hen to them. This reinforces that they obtain a reward (their constructive reinforcement) when they’re calm, however nothing occurs once they chew.
Damaging Reinforcement (It Isn’t What You Assume)
Most individuals imagine that detrimental reinforcement means doing one thing that an animal doesn’t like as a way to discourage them from doing a sure conduct sooner or later. (That is known as constructive punishment as a substitute.) In actuality, detrimental reinforcement does no such factor! It’s not helpful to slap your ball python away once they strike, and house owners improve the possibility of damage (to each events) by doing so.
As a substitute, detrimental reinforcement means eradicating one thing the animal doesn’t like as a way to discourage them from responding in a detrimental means. For instance, think about {that a} boa constrictor can scent the household canine on their proprietor’s T-shirt, and this makes the boa nervous of a predator close by. In consequence, they strike on the proprietor in self-defense. Damaging reinforcement can imply becoming a freshly washed shirt (eradicating the problematic one) to discourage the snake from hanging.
Goal Coaching
For reptiles that turn into particularly bitey throughout feeding time, goal coaching is a strong device. Virtually something can be utilized as a goal! Whereas many individuals select a small ball on a stick (and there are goal sticks particularly made for this function), something from a colourful plate to a plastic bottle is usually a goal.
To start, introduce the goal to the animal. If they arrive to analyze, that’s nice! As soon as they contact their nostril to the goal, present a high-value deal with. Then, transfer the goal. Anytime the reptile touches the goal (with out biting), reward and repeat. Over time, the animal will perceive that meals solely arrives once they contact the goal—not once they lunge at you to get it.
Goal coaching is nice for extra than simply turning down the chew response. It may also be used to request an animal to maneuver (right into a crate, away from the enclosure for cleansing, and so on.).
Alternative-Based mostly Dealing with
In lots of circumstances, a reptile will chew in the event that they really feel threatened or uncomfortable. This isn’t an assault—it’s a warning as a method to speak. Homeowners who don’t have to deal with the reptile for pressing functions can skip merely grabbing the reptile and as a substitute go for choice-based dealing with.
This precept can take quite a lot of time, but it surely creates a stronger bond of belief between a reptile and its proprietor. As an example, think about that you just have been housing a monitor lizard that begins biting each time you try to deal with them. Open the enclosure door and sit subsequent to it. If the monitor comes to analyze, merely allow them to. Don’t try to deal with; let the monitor discover and are available and go as they please. You’re giving the reptile a alternative about whether or not it needs to interact with you.
Over time, the monitor will perceive that you’re not a risk. By providing the animal a alternative about being dealt with, you may interact with them in a non-threatening means, which discourages biting over time. From there, you may start gently touching the monitor, working your means as much as lifting and holding them whereas nonetheless respecting their alternative to permit you to take action. Animals educated this manner over an extended time frame usually transition from seeing the proprietor as a risk to seeing them as thrilling enrichment.
Burnout
For small reptiles with a minimal likelihood of inflicting bodily damage with a chew, the burnout technique might be helpful. This feature can work for leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and different small animals that supply a number of bites in fast succession. Merely permit the animal to chew. Don’t react, and don’t draw back. Finally, the reptile will get bored and cease. At this level, present a deal with.
Most animals rapidly study that biting accomplishes nothing, and they also cease biting. Nonetheless, this technique will not be as efficient on snakes, whose instinctual coiling response could make the encounter appear to be a profitable hunt even when they aren’t capable of eat something.
Breaking the Affiliation
When a reptile bites throughout mealtime, it’s actually because they turn into overzealous of their pleasure for meals. To assist mitigate this response, house owners can break the affiliation between their presence and feeding time. Hold visits to the enclosure diverse—generally cease by simply to wave or make light actions in entrance of the animal, after which different instances, open the door after which shut it once more. Rummage round within the habitat with out including or eradicating something.
Over time, the reptile will start to grasp that the proprietor’s presence doesn’t essentially imply that it is time for meals. That is particularly relevant with reptiles which have a excessive prey drive, comparable to monitor lizards and snakes with heat-sensing pits.
Reptile bites occur—it’s simply a part of the pastime. Whether or not you by chance startle your scaly pal or are fighting an intense feeding response, the steps you are taking subsequent can form your animal’s understanding of how its chew can be utilized as a device. You should definitely take the time to study out of your pet with the intention to foster a secure, relaxed relationship that’s free from painful chew wounds!
