Re: Easiest way to handle a new baby?
Also, I read that when they roam a lot it means they are unhappy. She has spent the last two days in her hides during the day and roaming at about 10pm for a few hours after. Is this the "unhappy" roaming or "normal" roaming?
I put my hand up to the tank today and she looked at it and then brushed past it and continued on. Will that get her used to me or stress her out more?
Re: Easiest way to handle a new baby?
sounds normal to me. they're active at night.
Re: Easiest way to handle a new baby?
well, i'd help out and give you some advice but it looks like nate's got that covered!:) and the roaming at night sounds completely normal to me. some are more active than others. one of mine is usually out most nights for a couple hours. nothing to worry about
Re: Easiest way to handle a new baby?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mindibun
"You don't want to restrain her at all though, grabbing her anywhere or touching her head/neck area will really scare her."
Then how do I pick her up for a feeding or a cleaning?
And as for being nervous about bites, I've been bitten before and I know it's not a big deal. But those snakes weren't MINE. This is the first snake that is really and truly MINE, not one that I'm babysitting or working with etc. So I'm really nervous about it anyway. I dont want her to bite me because I dont want to mess up with her. If she bites that means she's scared and I messed up. :( (In my eyes anyway.)
Just don't touch the front third of her body if you can help it. Just stroke her sides a bit first then scoop her up in your hand, you don't want to come straight overhead and grab her (that's kind of like a bird of prey or something coming down at them.. scary)
Oh and if getting bitten by your snake means you've messed up.. well then I'm a failure of a snake keeper. LOL don't take it that harshly if she bites you.. think about it, you're a few hundred times bigger than her, and she's just a baby.. be surprised if she doesn't bite, think of it that way. She'll come around.
And her roaming the cage at night is normal, she's probably hungry. BPs are nocturnal.. nighttime exploring is normal.
Re: Easiest way to handle a new baby?
Bottom line - you're a predator to her, especially since she's a baby, so she's going to be scared of you.
Just time and patience. Give her this week to settle in and don't handle her if you don't have to. Preferably, don't handle her until at least 48 hours after her first successful feed with you (and only attempt to feed once a week).
With patience and gentle handling, she'll come to learn that you aren't a threat. Good luck!
