taking out cage

when going in to get my bp do i scare him when i grab him? will that get me bit? is there a good way to grab them without making them angry?

He wont bite you if you pick him up, just grab him by his midsection and take him out, but make sure he isnt holding on to anything, as this might hurt him and then you have the possibility of getting bit

Since snakes can be head shy. Don't come at them straight on. Gently and quickly pick them up from the midsection, supporting their wt and bring them close to your body so they feel a little more secure. I know it can be sorta nervous feeling but you'll get used to it and you'll learn signs. One big sign to look for is the S in the neck, head held up. This is the leave me alone pose.

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Originally Posted by singingtothewheat

Since snakes can be head shy. Don't come at them straight on. Gently and quickly pick them up from the midsection, supporting their wt and bring them close to your body so they feel a little more secure. I know it can be sorta nervous feeling but you'll get used to it and you'll learn signs. One big sign to look for is the S in the neck, head held up. This is the leave me alone pose.

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LOL I know that pose too well..

If you are handling him for the first time then do it a couple days after feeding. You know he's not hungry! If he is in the hide then tap the top of it to let him know you are there and then just pick him right up. Don't be nervous and slowly pick him up. Just go and get him with no hesitation. If you are nervous then you will make him nervous! It is rare for a ball to bite when being handled! I have not been bit yet!

I read on a care sheet somewhere that touching the top of their head before picking them up helps. But i just take them from their bellies nice and slowly.

If you are unsure of yourself and your snake, it is nice to use a snake hook to get critters out of their enclosures. And once you get them on the hook, if the snake is holding onto something with its tail, "tickle" the tail and it'll get the snake moving and eventually let go. The hook gives the handler peace of mind and the confidence to pick up their animal to then transfer the animal to their own hands. I believe it helps the snake recognize that it isn't prey or predator tapping them, but that they are being handled by a non-threatening person. It then allows an otherwise hesitant handler to handle their animal as often as needed or desired. I really liked mine when I was acclimating my jumpy Texas ratsnake. :)

Costs about $10, can be found reptile shows and shops, including LLL Reptile (I only mention them for ease of use for demonstration purposes).

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...et-snake-hook/

http://lllreptile.com/load-image/Sto...age/image/4287

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...ies/2cents.gif

Most of the time I will go in hook first even if I dont remove my snakes with the hook they will associate the hook with ( not feeding time ). I found it is a very good way to not accidentally get bit. Some of my snakes have such great feeding responses they will literally almost jump out of their containers, and anyone that raises BP will agree that when a BP if feeding regularly it is a very good thing to not confuse their feeding response lol ^^

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

LOL I know that pose too well..

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Ditto. I did the holding, but the boyfriend got all the bite. :rofl:

I have one snake and am no expert. I adopted him from a couple that handled him only on feeding day (once per two weeks and that was because they fed in the bathtub) and cleaning the cage which I suspect was about the same time. In their defense they didn't go out and get a ball python. They took care of him because a niece moved away and wasn't able to bring it with her. I think they did great as surrogate parents, all things considered.

As a kid I caught garter snakes all the time and was never afraid or bit. For some reason this snake that I just took ownership of was a bit intimidating at 3-1/2 feet long and nearly 3 inches thick so I can understand the hesitation.

The method for picking him up that I have been employing is to touch him mid-body, out of sight of his face, to let him know I am there. What I think is strange is that he pushes that part of his body against my hand like cats do when you pet them across the back. I'm not entirely sure the motions mean the same thing, but it's encouraging. After letting him know that I am there I pick him up near his center mass.

I have come to learn that the s-shape he makes with his neck is an immediate reflex but he has never looked or attempted to snap. It doesn't worry me anymore. It's like a police officer putting their hand on their sheathed gun, it gets pulled less than 1% of the time.