Friction While Handling

My palms stick very well to my BP, to the point where she has some trouble moving around when in contact with them. Neither the snake nor my hands are actually sticky, the friction is just really high. This doesn't happen with the backs of my hands or my forearms.

Obviously it makes sense that palms and snakes are both good at gripping things, but I'm interested to hear to what degree others have noticed this. I suspect my hands tend to be particularly sweaty or something because the snake actually gets stuck, and it's really hard to adjust my hands at all without pulling the snake. When handling, my best bet is usually to splay my fingers so she can push off those. The friction still bothers her with this method, but she gets enough of a hold to peel herself off and move a bit.

Should I be chalking up with dust from the substrate or something prior to handling? The snake clearly prefers to be handled with a gloved hand (something I haven't done except for testing this), and I'd expect this is mostly due to the friction from my palm being uncomfortable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gobuchul

Should I be chalking up with dust from the substrate or something prior to handling? The snake clearly prefers to be handled with a gloved hand (something I haven't done except for testing this), and I'd expect this is mostly due to the friction from my palm being uncomfortable.

---

Snakes are really good at gripping with their belly scales. If that's all it is, then I wouldn't chalk up. She's doing it on purpose. It makes her feel more secure. On the other hand, if you've got spidey hands, then I don't suppose chalking up will hurt.

Using gloves is another option. My snake prefers to be handled with gloves. I think it helps him see them as something inert, and so, less threatening.

Summer is the best time for "sweaty palms", hoping the cooler months bring some relief?

I handle some of my bitey snakes with cotton gardening gloves. Totally workable solution.