Proper Taming..?

I was just curious what procedures you guys took inorder to get your royals to get more accustomed to being handled. The reason I ask it because im still feeling a little tention when ever i handle Eve. I dont handling her too often but i want to start.

Just take it slow. Don't touch her head and neck (it'll make her nervous) and wait 48 hours after a feed before handling.

Start with a 5 minute handling session. Keep it quiet in the area you plan on exposing her to. No sudden movements. Gradually increase the time. It really differs with each snake. You need to take your cues from it. :D

With our snakes, big or small, when they are new and have settled in and are eating regularily and all that good stuff...we just start out with opening the tub and just gently stroking their back a bit first...not near their head and just letting them get used to our routine....tub opens, hide off, gentle stroking for a couple of seconds...then the lift out of the tub. We don't usually even remove them from the area of their enclosure for the first few sessions which are really short. Then just gradually we move up the time out of the tub and if they are not stressing out, we eventually sit on the couch with them. We generally only handle in the evening when they are normally active and watch them for a bad reaction of any sort or if it's just a bad day and that particular snake doesn't want to be messed with. We don't handle on feeding day as they are primed and ready to go or for 48 hours afterwards. We make sure it's quiet and calm when we remove and return them to their homes and during the time they are out of their tubs. We stay mindful that these are snakes and not puppy dogs and most likely handling is more for our pleasure than theirs so we don't overdo it.

The big thing we are finding is just routine...routine...routine (thanks for that tip Adam!). Seems to help them be less stressed.

Just our way...not "the" way but hope it helped somewhat.


~~Jo~~

The main thing about handling is.....get your ball python eating consistantly first.

After your snake is eating properly, then I begin handling initiation(handling besides when I clean). After 3 weeks of consistant eating(if no eating then no handling), I like to pull a chair up to the rack and take the new bps out for about 5 minutes each twice a week. This will get them a little used to you and give you the chance to observe their behavior. As you keep more snakes and handle more, you will be able to tell when a snake has 'had enough' and wants to get away from you. You should also remember that each snake is different. Some like you and some don't....ha ha...

Previously, I took it slow and easy as tigerlily put it. Once my gang was eating on a routine basis it was twice a week each for 30 - 40 mins. That was plenty for them to get used to being handled, I was never bitten (positive note) LOL...

thanks for the replys guys