How did you get over it

[callmemacc]

How were you able to get over the reflex to pull back when you herp snaps? It's so fast that despite the fact that I'm certain it won't hurt my natural reaction is to pull my hand back and rather than accidentally hurting him i just leave him be. Any pointers?

[DooLittle]

After you get tagged for the first time you will realize its not that bad. And probably won't be so jumpy. I've got tagged and only noticed because of the tiny pin pricks of blood.

[Mike41793]

Well if its a defensive strike then you wouldn't be able to pull your hand away in time anyways. If its a hunger strike and they wrap you up then you could pull your hand away all you want, if they wanna hold on, they will lol. You think the rats dont try to pull away lol? Sometimes they realize they made a mistake and let go anyways.

[Trackstrong83]

I don't think you ever lose the reflex of pulling back IMO. I KNOW bp bites don't hurt, but it's mainly the scare factor, like when you're watching a movie and BAM something pops out and scares you. Lol it's just human nature, I've had plenty snap at me unexpectedly and scared the crap out of me just cause it cause me by surprise.

[meowmeowkazoo]

It usually happens so fast that they've already let go by the time you can react. If they hang on (I had a tiny kingsnake that did), it doesn't hurt and they'll be wrapped around you pretty good anyway, LOL.

[Raven01]

I've been bitten by bigger and meaner snakes than anything I keep. I still jump when my little herps launch the "leave me alone" strike.
I know these snakes can do very little damage. A newborn kitten has bigger teeth than most of them.
The reaction happens before you have time to think about it. I suppose you could train yourself to react by not jumping because if it was going to actually connect you were already bitten.
Time will tell..... I'll no doubt find out as the snake I am picking up tomorrow is known to be a docile juvenile and a docile adult but a snarky sub-adult.
Maybe, I will eventually join the ranks of the "real" python keepers and get tagged by a captive animal instead of just wilds.

[angllady2]

I don't think the "jump" reaction is one you ever loose. The trick is to teach yourself to just jump and not jerk away. It takes practice and discipline. I still get tagged now and then, and while I may jump a mile, I usually don't jerk my hand away and make things worse.

Gale