Handling tips

[jacques92]

Hey every one
sure this has been asked a million times before
i have a yearling darwin carpet only got him a week ago fed him on the weekend went to take him out today handled him a bit and he nipped me so i just put him back in his cage i have handled him twice before and he didn't bite me So how do i stop him from biting me again ?
I know yearling pythons can be a bit nippy so just want a couple of tips and ideas

 

[Cold-B-Hearts]

just takes time, you can try putting him a pillow case and put you hand in there aswell,
but just a nip now and then is fine he will get better the more you hold him....hopefully some stay crazy forever

 

[Gruni]

I just had the best 1/2 hour of handling my Mac. He has gotten a bit tense each time I have had him out for about 10mins at a time and although he never tagged me he would bluf strke at me. Tonight he was relaxed and climbed across to my mobile phone on my belt and then cruised across my shoulders as well. When I put him back instead of hiding he kept exploring his tank.

Just persist in holding him regularly and gradually increase the time, or make the most of a good night. He will get used to you and will gradually not see you as a threatening giant. As someone else said elsewhere on here, imagine if some huge creature came and lifted the corner of your roof and reached in to grab you... Give it time you'll be fine, oh and try to be confident and calm in your movements.

 

[jacques92]

Hey
thanks for the advice
I will try the pillow case Idee
she is still crazy cant come neer the cage and shes want to rip me apart

 

[Ezmay]

i got the same thing happening with my baby... i just got told to start fresh and wait for a week then maybe try a hook to get them outa the cage then they will start to trust u n explore?? im hoping that works anyways

 

[jacques92]

Thanks i will give her a feed this weekend
and try to get her out next weekend see if she calms down a bit
hoppefully
thanks for the advice

 

[Wrightpython]

If she bites you dont always put her straight back your teaching her a habit. (if i bite i can go home)
Remember with any animal they are always learning and sometimes they learn wrong instead of right. Next time she bites just flick her nose gently she should dart backwards slightly, each time she bites if you continue to handle she will relise your not food and your not scared of bite so she wont bother plus she doesnt like getting flicked on nose.

 

[Snowman]

I find soaking my hands in the warm water I defrost the rodents in works well. It seems to have a soothing effect on handling pythons in general.

 

[Darlyn]

I suggest if you only got him a week ago you should leave him alone to get used to his new environment.
Snakes stress when introduced to a new environment. They need to feel safe. Do you have appropriate hides?
Are you feeding the correct size?
Just leave him to settle properly before you get into handling him.

 

[jinjajoe]

If she bites you dont always put her straight back your teaching her a habit. (if i bite i can go home)
Remember with any animal they are always learning and sometimes they learn wrong instead of right. Next time she bites just flick her nose gently she should dart backwards slightly, each time she bites if you continue to handle she will relise your not food and your not scared of bite so she wont bother plus she doesnt like getting flicked on nose.

is this nose flicking some new technique ?? I reckon use a muzzle personally......

 

[Wrightpython]

is this nose flicking some new technique ?? I reckon use a muzzle personally......

are we starting this all over again

 

[Ozzie Python]

If she bites you dont always put her straight back your teaching her a habit. (if i bite i can go home)
Remember with any animal they are always learning and sometimes they learn wrong instead of right. Next time she bites just flick her nose gently she should dart backwards slightly, each time she bites if you continue to handle she will relise your not food and your not scared of bite so she wont bother plus she doesnt like getting flicked on nose.

seriously? please see below

 

[cwebb]

I find soaking my hands in the warm water I defrost the rodents in works well. It seems to have a soothing effect on handling pythons in general.

hahaahahhaha eviiillll

 

[Darlyn]

Hey Wrighty do you flick your elapids on the nose?

 

[CaptainRatbag]

You got some excellent advice in this thread. The only 2 things I dont agree with is the muzzle (obviously.... they dont come that small) lol. Seriously tho, I dont like the idea of nose flicking.... imo you dont want the snake to associate you with pain/fright. Be patient, be calm, slow movements. Before I handle my snakes, I make sure they can see my hand by a slow palm forward wave, when it has my attention I just pick it up.... about mid body so the head is free to look around and not feel trapped. Snakes dont like being picked up too close to their head (claustraphobic for them I guess) and if you pick them up 1/4 way (half way from head to middle) that is where their heart is. When you decide to pick it up, do it, dont baulk. Hook is a good idea if he is cage defensive. Good idea to let it settle in for a while, then handle it often and for short periods, so it learns it comes out then goes back, no drama. Plenty of hides is good (all of wot daryn said)

 

[Gruni]

Like the others said (and I think I missed in my first post) let him settle in for a week easy if he is new. I actually hung a 'curtain' on the front of my Mac's enclosure for two days just so he didn't feel intimidated by the movement etc in the room. Even if you have had him for a while when ou notice he is a bit uptight it still may not be a bad idea. When I started handling Skittles I also just held my hand near him and let him 'sniff' it and get used to my scent and that my hand is not there to harm him. If I reached in and freshened his water I would do it very slowly for the same reason.

The other great advice I thought was that even when he is a bit wound up and kranky don't put him back in the tank straight away. He needs to realise that even if he feels vulnerable that you are no threat to him and this can only happen if you continue to hold him. Just work at it gradually, a few minutes to start with. I gradually started making a point of reaching around where he can't see and lightly stroking him occasionally so that he doesn't get so startled if I need to touch him while he is out.

 

[jacques92]

Hey thanks again for all the advice
she likes to hide under the newspaper i have in the cage
Should i put a proper hide in the cage or is the newspaper fine
I know when i handle her i should just let her nip me or bluff
but its kinda hart not to pull away i know i have been nip a couple times doesnt hurt still just naturall reaction

 

[Gruni]

My boy still bluffs at my face from time to time and I admit I flinch every time but then I have a real issue with things flying at my eyes. Look away and let him hit your hand etc.

As for a hide, I would chuck a proper hide of some sort in there that he can curl up in. In my transport tub I use a flower pot that I cut down to about 2 1/2 inches high or get on Ebay and have a look for the rock look ones.

 

[SYNeR]

Flicking it on the nose? ***? A ferret, maybe..

Snake Bytes TV - Handling the Meanest Snakes in the World! SnakeBytesTV - YouTube"

The only real tips I have are:

1) try to not show fear, as they'll pick up on it
2) distract with one hand, and go in with the other
3) approach snake with a flat hand so it doesn't know what to bite (or a flat piece of paper from above)

 

[Wrightpython]

Hey Wrighty do you flick your elapids on the nose?

Yes i do and after 18 yrs handling even inland tais, eb, and deathys and ive never been bitten.
Yep thats right i am admitting that i have not been bitten even though i know ive now gone down a few rungs on the ladder as you guys think getting bitten is cool and an initiation but i like my fingers the way they are. The nose thing works, how do they know right from wrong in wild, if it hurts or scares its bad, im not saying hit them hard just a flick that they can associate with right and wrong.