Scared snake.....

[Jchris1212]

So ive been beginning to try to handle my my pastel male about six months old and every time i take him out he becomes stiff as a board and strikes at any movement in front of him. Now that being said Im a new snake owner and realize that he is scared....the problem is now Im a little on edge cause this grown man is slightly intimidated by his snake...lol I know its kinda funny but I just want us to get used to eachother. Any suggestions other then keep handling him several times a week. Ive resorted to putting on gloves too just incase even though it makes me feel like a sis Well any encouraging thoughts or words are much apprecitated.

[Kaorte]

My first suggestion would to re-check your husbandry. Most of the time, a strikey snake is the product of a stressful environment.

In one of your other threads I recognized that rock cave hide from petsmart that I have for my gecko. For a baby ball python, it is really too big. You also need two identical hides.

Don't be afraid of bite, it will surprise you more than it will hurt

[Jchris1212]

On his warm side I have a smaller hide that he seems to really like and the cave is on the cool side which he also uses. I had to move his home into the living room because of cooler temeratures but things are warming up and I want to move him back to the spare room where there is no foot traffic. Thanks for the info...I know Ive been asking a ton of questions but Im very interested in doing things the right way and appreciate all the help.

[Patricia]

Ours was quite jittery during the first few months we had it. What helped the most was covering it with a little towel while we held it. When he was calm with that, I eventually removed the towel and put my flat palm over his head, i.e. covering only the head. He thinks the rest of him is covered too, like he was with the towel. Whatever... it makes him feel safe and secure.

Now, I know that the mere notion of putting your hand right by that mouth that could possibly bite sounds insane, but it really works for us. Months ago I started touching the neck, very gradually working up to being able to touch the head, but always approaching from the back, i.e. out of sight. So now he's OK with his head being touched and doesn't flinch when he sees my hand approaching to cover his head. After a few minutes of my hand over his head, I'll remove my hand. Usually he's fine, lounging on my arm, but if he's uneasy, I'll cover his head again. Works like a charm.

Hope that made sense! Just hang in there. I was as jittery as our little snake and we've all calmed down now.

[BPelizabeth]

I have one that looks at me as if she is out to kill me everytime I look at her. She has never struck...but geez. (she loves the hubby by the way). I just take her and put her on my chest....under my shirt. She is covered up and warm. When she calms down I try to do the neck trick that was described above.

[Jeromy]

I Got my pastel a little before Christmas and we rescued a full grown BP in the beginning of Oct, he was my first snake. I was very nervous and reluctant to handle my big guy due to fear of a strike. I went on a information pilgrimage to inform myself on how to handle these creatures, turns out he is a sweetheart. When I got my pastel he would act just like your baby but I too would get to the couch and I put him on my stomach and cover him with my shirt or a towel and let him get acclimated to me. After about two weeks he was chilled out. I like to think this is typical s I plan to and snake to my collection. Oh one other thing I like to make sure that he knows I am there so I will rub on him gently with a chopstick till I see his tongue flicker. Then I know he is awake.

Good luck and dont give up!

[angllady2]

I can't help you with calming him down, since my one and only snippy little monster is my hubby's snake so I don't mess with him, but I can tell you being bitten isn't as bad as you think.

I've seen kittens do more damage than a BP, even an adult one. Our 5' female got my hubby on the wrist, and the next day you couldn't even see it anymore.

So, I suggest trying what the more experienced one suggest, and try not to fret about a bite, it's not that bad.

Gale

[Jchris1212]

Thank you guys. I really appreciate all the tips and will be giving them a shot tomorrow. Sunday begins day 1 of me and my snakes new relationship.....lol

[Jchris1212]

Success!!! Day 1 of trying what you guys suggested and it worked. Pulled him out slowely from his cage and he went right into striking poistion. So I took him to my recliner and put him in my lap with no stikes. After that I put a pillow case over him. I think I scared the crap outta him doing it cause he balled right up. I just left him under the pillow case slowly touching his sides for about ten mins. Figured that would be good enough for step one, but when I picked him up the tounge started flicking and his body loosened up and what do you know.....he started to explore my lap and wanted to check out my recliner. First time he has loosened up at all for me. Thank you all again for the help and will keep you all posted on my progress.

[Patricia]

Oh, another thing I do which I forgot to mention in my earlier post is that while my hand is over his head (flat palm, not necessarily touching the head, just shielding it), wherever my thumb is resting, I gently rub that part of his body back and forth, about an inch or so. It's so he gets used to that same touch, so he knows it's me holding him. Sometimes I remove his hide without picking him up and do that same gentle rub on him for a few seconds so that he's always accustomed to it and knows it's me.

Hope things continue smoothly for you!