Taming

[racer500]

I have asked a few questions about handling. I have some more. I have been holding my ball for about five to ten minutes every day for a little bit now, but everytime i hold it it strikes. It hasnt got me sonce the first time, i just want it to stop. Should i keep holding it every day and hopr for the best or what. I am also petting it a little before i take it out of its cage to. I have been folowing all the instructions and tips i have been given, but it wont stop striking. What to do?

Thanks

[iceman25]

Is it a baby? Depending on its age, I'd say that its normal behavior. Just keep up with the handling sessions and it will eventually grow out of it.

[racer500]

i have had it for five and a half weeks.

[racer500]

Is it a baby? Depending on its age, I'd say that its normal behavior.

Yes its a baby, it is only two and a half months old.

[iceman25]

All the little ones I know of love to bite Its a defence mechanism thats built into their brain. As they grow older and you continue to constantly interact with them, they will grow out ot it. Don't get discouraged, just keep at it. Wear gloves if you need to(I can hear someone rolling on the floor laughing).

[frankykeno]

Sorry to hear you are having troubles getting your snake used to being handled. Unfortunately, some just take to it better than others. After all we are talking about snakes here not dogs or cats that have been habitated to humans for eons or are by their very nature pack animals (in the case of dogs).

Personally I don't know if any of my snakes "enjoy" being handled. They probably like getting out of their tubs for a crawl around about as much as anything. For me anyways, handling is more about my pleasure and joy so I tend to make it as low stress for the snake as possible and respect that this is not a domesticated creature I'm dealing with and some biting is just part of dealing with them.

Keep trying gently but firmly. Perhaps every day is a bit much for this snake with it being so young. If nothing else it must come to accept you so you can do regular cleaning and health checks. You never know though. Our Brannagh was very aggressive and has done a complete turn around but it took months of very careful handling...lots of steps forward, then backward till we saw the first small signs she was becoming less stressed and aggressive.

Try making sure when you do handle your snake it's in the evening and the environment is very quiet and you are very calm. If you are concerned about the striking wear gloves so you don't react to the attempts to bite. Remember this is just a baby snake, everything is a predator to it and that includes you.

I'm no snake handling expert here, just a few thoughts I had....



~~Jo~~

[DrEwTiMe]

Ya my girl was never a biter even when she was the size of a pencil, but the more you hold your snake. The less you seem like a "threat" to them hence less striking.

[Keystr0k]

I agree with everything that has been said. The more you handle them, the tamer they get.