Looking for Handling Advice: Taking 5 month old out of tank

This might help.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...P-Handling-101

Dave

So glad that it worked out for you! When I got my girl she was really snappy in her tank for the first few months but once she realized that everything coming in wasn't food, or going to hurt her she's mellowed out quite a bit. I still give her a minute or so once I take her hide off to let her "settle down" but I feel that regular handling and regular cage maintenance (water, spot cleaning, etc) with her in there has helped her out. Hope everything with yours continues smoothly! I'm sure you'll have a sweetheart in no time

Go in with confidence. Don't be afraid to get bit. Don't support that negative behavior. If she hisses at you keep on

I have a semi snippy super pastel girl. I think her bite would at least leave a mark (laughing thinking about Tommy Boy!). I'd wear gloves when getting her out. I go in with the thought of positive handling and not pushing her...catch her being nice! Anyway, she continues to improve. The gloves were more for my confidence than anything but I'd take them off as I was handling her so she would get used to my hands.
Hope this helps and good luck!

I don't know what I'd do without this forum! You guys are awesome and your advice is invaluable. Thanks so much!

Here's another update for you:

Every morning I go to her tank and complete the daily maintenance (empty water, spot clean, etc). She's always in one of her hides when I do this. I never take her out at this time, I just let her get used to this process and then close the doors and leave her alone. I thought if i kept the schedule the same she'd start to know what was coming and be ready for it.
This afternoon I went to her tank to get her out for some handling time. I opened the tank and took the plant out. I lifted her hide and she was curled up looking at me as usual. Good news is no hissing and no snapping! I scooped her up. I sat down and let her relax in my hand. She eventually poked her head out and looked around. There's improvement there for sure.

The thing I'm noticing now is when she finally decides to peak out from her ball she seems to be trying to run away from me. Still very jumpy, but she moves so quickly trying to squeeze between my arms and get out of my hands. There's no slow moving or exploring for her. It's more like she's trying a Mission Impossible escape from me, lol. Obviously she's still scared which I know will take time, but right now there's no in between. She's either in a ball or on the run. Usually the time from ball to flight is about 5 - 10 min. When I notice she's starting to race off I take that ad she's had enough and put her back in her home. I don't want to stress her out.

I think we're making progress which is good, even if it's slow. I'll just keep up our routine slow and steady. We have the next 20+ years to figure it out :)



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