Re-taming my sanke!

[klit69]

Hi everyone been a while. I have been working at a mine for the last 12 months and in that time I have not been able to handle my B&G jungle python. Also in that time she has grown from 2.5 feet to just over 6 foot.
The last time I got her out I made the mistake of taking her outside and together with not being fed for two weeks and colder temps she struck out at my face.This had a detremental effect on my confidence in handling her.
My question to you guys is how do I get her comfotable with being handled again and not cop excessive tags??

 

[LauraM]

I read an article a while ago ill ty find it about a guy that was trying to re-tame his snake.. you may get bitten but really its something you have to deal with, maybe try handle her a few times a week even if its just for a few minutes, key word is patience....Goodluck tell us how it goes

 

[dickyknee]

Some snakes will always be grumpy , it is just the way it works ,if its healthy and happy to be left alone then just leave it alone .......maybe get another snake if you need to handle one .

 

[klit69]

she was quite easy to handle before I went away so it isnt a matter of always being grumpy.

 

[dickyknee]

Old age maybe , I got grumpier with age too...

 

[disasterpiece7.0]

To put it simply, you will get bitten at some stage. I'd suggest getting a hook and using that to pick her up. Once she's up gently place her one your oposite arm. don't manipulate her too much, just let her do the exploring. do that a few times a week (not every day, about 3 - 4 times a week) until you and her both feel more comfortable. As your confidence grows hers will too.

This is the method I use on bigger jungles I'm handling for the first time. You'll learn when they're going to bite and when they're just a bit nervous. I find they don't like hair so if she touches an arm and recoils it doesn't mean she'll bite, just that she didn't like the feel. So far I'm yet to take a major tag that wasn't a feeding response from a mature jungle.

As Dicky said though, sometimes there's just some evil ones that never quite calm down.

 

[Jay84]

Hey Klit69 (nice name by the way lol)

I have been away for the last 5 years travelling overseas. I had a diamond python for about 5 years, he was lovely, never bit, never had attitude, never hissed at you. Anyways, he is around 10 years old now and in the time iv been away mum and dad have been looking after him. The only time his cgae was opened was for cleaning and feeding. i got home and he was striking at the glass, hissing, and i was scared to get him out! he is a hefty 8 foot now!!!!

anyways, i fashioned a 'snake hook' and have been waking him with this before i go to pick him up. being woken this way i think calms him band alerts him to the 'grab' and he feels a little more comfortable. now i am pickin him up carefully but more confidently. it has taken 6 weeks for this. i think a little more time and pateince and he'll be the big docile baby i had 5 years ago!

hope yours settles too.

 

[klit69]

Thanks guys as soon as I am home long enough to get into a routine with her I guess Its back to square one. As for the name....surname and year I was born.

 

[Jay84]

Sorry i found it amusing (or am i being childish)

Good luck with you 'not so little' snake. it will work tho.