Carpet Python who has not been handled for 1 Year!

Bought a Carpet Python who is a year old but has not been handled at all! Maybe twice or three times. How should I approach this? She is a very nervous girl. Any help would be appreciated!

Hook, and lots of it. When you do pick her up, try to be supportive without being restrictive.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Hook, and lots of it. When you do pick her up, try to be supportive without being restrictive.

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What do you mean by being supportive? (Sorry for all the questions, just in a tight spot)

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Originally Posted by RelentlessOmi

What do you mean by being supportive? (Sorry for all the questions, just in a tight spot)

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She means support the body but do not restrict the movement.

How big is the snake?

I highly recommend using a perch of branch extended from your hand. Carpets are highly arboreal and if they can choose to climb on you and also have the security of another item, they will generally feel more comfortable.
http://i.imgur.com/EeNl8QG.jpg

Use a hook as noted and be supportive as noted above,

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Originally Posted by Gio

She means support the body but do not restrict the movement.

How big is the snake?

I highly recommend using a perch of branch extended from your hand. Carpets are highly arboreal and if they can choose to climb on you and also have the security of another item, they will generally feel more comfortable.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/EeNl8QG.jpg

Use a hook as noted and be supportive as noted above,

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Thank you very much for this.
She is about medium sized and roughly 3-4 foot, she was very small when born also.

Wow, that's a long time of not being handled!

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Originally Posted by AnnieHeart

Wow, that's a long time of not being handled!

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I was shocked also. This is why I wanted to take her off her owner, But I'm quiet nervous to be honest...
I want to find the best way to approach this to make her feel comfortable to being handled, hopefully enough to let my kids handle her also.

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Originally Posted by RelentlessOmi

Thank you very much for this.
She is about medium sized and roughly 3-4 foot, she was very small when born also.

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You'll be fine, and that is an easy size to handle.

Carpets settle, most, with age. The good news is it HAS been handled before and it is older than a hatchy.

Bites really don't hurt a lot if they are defensive nips, and often it will be a bluff. Use a brach and keep your hands in fists and you won't get a finger tagged.

I'll bet it goes better than expected.

Let it settle first, maybe get a few meals through her, sit by the cage with the doors open once in a while. Try some light cleaning, and then use a hook when you are both ready. My carpet and retic both went right up the branch day one and then crawled up my arm.



Just let the snake move about as much as possible while keeping it supported and secure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

You'll be fine, and that is an easy size to handle.

Carpets settle, most, with age. The good news is it HAS been handled before and it is older than a hatchy.

Bites really don't hurt a lot if they are defensive nips, and often it will be a bluff. Use a brach and keep your hands in fists and you won't get a finger tagged.

I'll bet it goes better than expected.

Let it settle first, maybe get a few meals through her, sit by the cage with the doors open once in a while. Try some light cleaning, and then use a hook when you are both ready. My carpet and retic both went right up the branch day one and then crawled up my arm.



Just let the snake move about as much as possible while keeping it supported and secure.

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Thank you so so much for this! Gave me a lot of confidence!

As with any snake when you are starting out handling, make it short and sweet. You want them to learn that handling time is a 'fun' experience for them. And make them think it's their idea when they do stuff.