Taming Breeder BP

[Muze]

Does anyone have any advice on how to tame an adult female that was never handled before? I acquired her from a big breeder & was not told (I also neglected to ask) that she was not handled (he has over 1000 snakes, so I understand).

She is healthy & gorgeous (YB that is breedable already). She has not struck at me, only hissed & growled. I only handled her to get her out of the bag & into her tub (& she flailed around quite a bit).

I've only had her about 2.5 weeks, so I know she needs a lot of time (she also has not eaten for me yet. I tried last Thursday, so I'm trying again tomorrow), but I was wondering how best to go about taming so that at least she does not hiss when I clean out her tub.

I have 9 other BPs & all are tame (one is not that much, but he is not as vocal-or big- as this girl). I've been hissed at before, but I've known immediately what I did wrong & have corrected it & never had it happen again. I try to handle all of my snakes for very short periods of time, 2-3 times a week, so that I don't have any issues working with them.

Anyway, any advice is welcome!

Thanks.

PS I have a snake hook (never used) & some handling gloves (only used when feeding. All of my BP's are on F/T, but some of them are feisty feeders).

[starmom]

I would begin by just allowing the snake to get accustomed to my non-threatening presence by doing daily environment chores like changing the water bowl and just sort of having my fingers around. I would not stop the activity if she puffs up or hisses, since that will reinforce her behavior.

After this, I would just pick her up. If she bites then so be it. Don't put her back into her environment until she is calm with you (again, you don't want to reinforce the "I will bite you so you will put me down" behavior).

It is my feeling that your persistence and patience will pay off in the end. Just be calm and mellow so she'll pick up on that. I have also heard of some people putting in a small article of their clothing so that the snake will clue in to the scent. Never done it myself, but I have heard others doing it and they believe it has helped with "training".

Good luck!

[Spaniard]

In addition to what Starmom said just keep in mind that some snakes may have an aggressive disposition to them. My pastel male is over 2 years old and he's calmed down a bit but he always hisses when I first pick him up out of the tub. He puffs up and makes his body twitch and I just laugh at his tough guy persona. I think the fiesty ones are fun, they keep you on your toes

[Muze]

Thank you. I kinda thought that was the best way to go about it, but I wanted to know from more experienced BP keepers. I really think she is just very stressed and afraid, so your advice makes very good sense. Hopefully there will be no biting, but if there is, c'est la vie! I had one of them almost get my face the other day when feeding, so I am a bit more careful now.

Thanks again!

[Muze]

Just wanted to let you all know that the YB took a good-sized F/T rat this past Thursday. I was very excited. & I was able to clean out her tub today with no hissing/growling.

I won't attempt to handle until she's fed for me at least 4 times, though. My priority is to get her established.

Thanks again to everyone for your advice!

[starmom]

Yea!!!! Huge congrats on the feeding and the baby steps in the right direction!!!! I think you're being smart in not trying to hold her or anything for a month. Just let her understand that your intrusions into her space for cleaning and feeding are peaceful and nonthreatening. There is plenty of time for handling lessons!!!

Great job!!

[Muze]

Starmom, your support really helped. I have a lot of experience with many types of snakes, and reptiles in general, but I'm a newbie with BPs. I wait until my newest one is an established feeder before I get another one (that's why I only have 10...lol), but I thought I was headed for trouble with this one. Hopefully, she'll stay on track with the feeding, etc. &, like you said, there's plenty of time for handling.

Thanks again!

[frankykeno]

I can tell you from our past experience taking in some fiesty females that what you've been told is true. Just go about your business with this snake, wear gloves if she gets serious about the biting stuff, be gentle, calm but firm and confident in your handling of her. If you need to restrain her to move her safely, do so quickly, hesitating on a behind the head grab will get you nailed (I've been there and it only took one lesson to learn that LOL), don't allow her to set the tone for your interactions.

While it's appropriate to respect the snakes we own and not push them past what is reasonable, for some of these bigger ones that are unused to handling or have been handled roughly, you need to rebuild a handling pattern with them. Make sure that removal and return are done as you were advised - with calm and assured movements. Don't allow her back to her enclosure until she is calm, even for 2 seconds.

Some will never accept much handling but most will do fine once you set a simple routine down with them. BP's really respond well to the same things happening over and over. Once they get that this routine causes them no harm, most will accept it other than the occasional "back talk". Some won't though. We have one female here that recently has started throwing her weight around so we're being cautious with her (she draws blood) and working to show her that we aren't intent on hurting her.

[JasonG]

best thing to do is persistence...

I cant say much more then what has already been said... But I will say that I did have a fiesty spider ball male that was having no problems trying to nail me every chance he got...

After a while now he is used to me, has calmed down, and hasnt struck at me in a while. I make it a point to hold him near pulse points on my wrists and hands so that he feels my pulse and knows I am calm. I think that helps. I also make it a point to hold him for a few minutes everytime I clean his tank out.

Also one other tip... Make her tank/tub as crowded as you can. They love it! My spider loves having space issues, it makes him a calmer, happier snake!


Jason

[Chuck1289]

Thanks i got alot of info from this thread!!