Help Needed - Getting Snake Out Of Enclosure

[davman]

Hi All,

We are new to this whole snake thing and have our first Darwin Carpet Python, she is so friendly however when we first go to take her out of her enclosure she is very feisty and strikes at us.

She is pretty big, over 5 foot long.

Can anybody please tell me the best way to remove her from the enclosure without getting bitten which she has just done grrrrrrrrr

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Chris1]

use a hook till u feel shes more approachable.

 

[Brown_Hair]

Hook would probably be the ebst thing as chris1 mentioned. Having said that she may never calm down and could just be cage defensive. Let her know you are there and try not to pick her straight up from above.

 

[Chris1]

do u know if the previous owner fed her in the cage or took her out?
if she was fed in the cage it might be a matter of retraining her to not expect food when the enclosure opens,...

are u planning on feeding her in or out of her enclosure?

 

[davman]

We do know she fed inside the enclosure with the previous owner and they hand fed her also.

We are keen to retrain her to feed outside of the enclosure and maybe using tongs or gloves so she doesn't associate our hands/fingers with food.

Should I hold her head down while I grab her from the body if I don't have a hook......I think I will go buy one tomorrow though.

 

[RELLIK81]

my big olive was a little cranky yeaturday and all i did was put his holding bag over his head and grabbed his body....once i had him he was fine

 

[moosenoose]

Heaven forbid they fed her out of the cage where EVERYTHING becomes lunch! :lol:

My Darwin is over 6ft, he's as gentle as anything, but I certainly would never just pop my hand in there to grab him. I feed him in the enclosure, as with just about all my snakes. Once he realizes it's me he's cool about being taken out. I did have this one Darwin, that no matter what, had it in for me! :lol: I'd try using a hook as others have suggested

 

[webcol]

You can use a hook, or what i have done before is just open the door and stand next to it. Once the snake is 3/4 of the way out, just gently lift it up

 

[jamesbecker]

the reason i think that snakes become defensive when people put their hands in their enclosure is because they feed using their hands. you should used tongs or tweezers, it also stops the risk of you getting bitten lol.

use a hook as others have said, feeding in or out of the enclosure is personally choice, i prefer in the enclosure

 

[TheCaptain]

i have similiar issues with my snakes some time, the best method I have found is to place a pillow case over their head and pick them up mid body.

Be careful using a hook as they will sometimes strike the hook which can damage their mouth

Good Luck