My first handling session

We have the wierdest ball I think. Rionach isn't just NOT headshy, when we are handling her she will go out of her way to hook her chin on a finger to get her "chin" rubbed. It's just plain wierd LOL. Orlah as well is not at all headshy but the other 3 are to some degree or other.


~~Jo~~

I think your experiences are perfectly normal as everyone else ahs already chimed in.
Monty was very very skittish the first few times we handled him (and so was I!!). He even hissed at first. These days he is much calmer and I was suprised by how quickly he adapted. He is still headshy and probably always will be and he does jerk back to sudden movements near his head but so would I if I was his size!

Well Monty is a hoot if you ask me, when I first got him he balled up like crazy for the first few handling seccions and now, its hard to get him to ball up, he will only ball up if I scare the crap outa him when he is sleeping under a hide, but otherwise he wont ball up. He used to be headshy but I have worked most of it out by doing exactly what he is scared of, moving near or around his head and touching his head. He now is only a little irritated if I move fastly around his head and such (like any of us would by instinct.) So pretty much its a thing that you have to work out of their head that your not going to eat them, and take those instincts that all things bigger than them that doesnt smell like a mouse is somthing thats going to eat them. Hope I was of some help, thats my 3 cents.

Hey Bryce, how'd the handling session go? I hope all went well!

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

Hey Bryce, how'd the handling session go? I hope all went well!

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I just finished. She hissed twice coming out as she was under her hide and I had to take her out. When she hissed I gloved 1 hand and let the other free. I used a combo of the Pro Exotics Glove Technique (http://www.proexotics.com/faq_images...nique_demo.jpg) and Adam's water bottle technique to calm her. Once I got her out, I sat down and just held her and let her explore. I stroked her and talked to her (which was more to calm me) and stroked her neck and even head a few times. She was still jumpy but she settled pretty good. The 15 mins went fast, but after a little while her breathing regulated and she was good old curious A'Kashja. It was the first time she'd ever hissed at me, but I take it that that was because she was in hiding and I disturbed that. During cleaning times she was already out so she never hissed although nervous. She was tense at times but she also relaxed at times. For a 1st session, I'd give it a B. Hopefully as we do this daily she'll grow to know I mean her no harm and we'll learn to trust each other. She didn't attempt to bite but she did jerk back a few times in fear of my hands. I put her back in her enclosure without a problem and she just sat underneath her driftwood and didn't move. I put her favorite hide back in, turned out all the lights and left. I'll check on her b4 bed and leave her be until tomorrows session. As my confidence grows and as she learns I mean her no harm, I'll ditch the glove. But for know if she hisses, I'll just use it as it gives me a bit more confidence.

I was wondering how it went, and I'm glad you both made it through it. It sounds like you both did wonderfully. :clap: Pretty soon you'll both be old pros! :D

Water bottle technique? Don't think I've heard of that trick yet?

Glad to hear it went well for both of you!

Wonder how Daniel's handling session went?


~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Wonder how Daniel's handling session went?

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Went great....did not even hiss when I reached in this time :)

Oh glad to hear that Daniel! Wish dear Bran the Brat would at least hiss and give me a bit of warning she's going to try a jab at us but Bran plays by her own rules LOL.

Actually, oddly enough I admire that snake with her more difficult nature and don't mind terribly that she's a bit hard to handle. It's actually good for Mike and I to have to learn to always be on our toes when dealing with any snake, especially a larger female. I think we'd gotta a bit lazy with all our other girls being so easy to handle (even Saoirse the WC never tries to bite).


~~Joanna~~

Just finished my 2nd session and we both improved. She didn't hiss and didn't seem afraid at all. Just curious. I started with the 1 glove to see if she'd hiss, but no. So about mid session I ditched and went bare hands. Big step for us both and it was GREAT! We both made it and she's fine and so am I. Can't wait until tomorrow's session...another day, another adventure!