2 mice and striking at Moss then eating it.

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

I feel like I'm getting there. I'm good with my baby but this guy I know has been around a long time and all I want is for him to feel safe. I can imagine he's scared and needs reassurance.

So even if he hisses should I still pick him up and handle him? How would you all go about it?

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I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Originally Posted by zina10

My Pastel Enchi DG girl hissed like a tea pot today when I moved her hide. So I gently but firmly picked her up and held her against my body while I rearranged the tub. She was fine and so was I. LOL.[emoji4]

You need to give him lots of downtime but don't be afraid to pick him up if you have to. Does he hiss while trying to hide his head and turn away? That is more like a grumbling to themselves. Ignore it.

Does he stare you in your eyes. Upper body and head raised up, neck in a tight s-coil while huffing and puffing? You might want to be careful to snap him out of that before picking up.

But I bet it's the first one..


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EXCELLENT REPLY!!!! :gj::gj:
This is why we miss Zina so much in the summer!!!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

Zina makes a great point here....do pay attention to body language, as that is a much better indicator than the “grumbling”.

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Yup!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Excellent reply here as well!!! Spot on top to bottom. :gj::gj:



This thread has been awesome. Very good info and lots of positive learning. This is a great example of why this is such a great forum!


Like the others have said, watching and learning their body language is such an important part of keeping snakes. They have such limited ways to show what they're thinking, so studying their body language is key.
You'll learn quickly what the difference is between defensive and aggressive, when they're stressed based on breathing patterns or tongue flicks, when they're hungry, all sorts of cool stuff.
Keep doing what you're doing, you're off to a great start!!

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Originally Posted by Dianne

I still pick the hissy or skittish ones up, making sure I fully support them. I start handling sessions short, 10-15 minutes tops, so that they have some time to get used to handling and learn I’m not going to eat them. I usually sit on the couch with them on my lap and let them explore a bit, gently guiding them with my hands. I try not to get near their heads to start with since many are head shy, there’s plenty of time to work on that later. They typically relax and will explore a bit, then you can put them back in their enclosure on a positive note...they got to explore and nothing hurt them. Patience and gentle handling eventually win them over, though some may always make a little noise when you first go to take them out.

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Ok. Cool. I'm going to wait until tomorrow, maybe the following day, since he ate last night. I'm excited [emoji16]

So, you think once I have him and I'm sitting he will try and strike at me? Or are they usually pretty calm after being picked up? Sorry for all the questions. It's one of those things that I'm going to be scared to get it until it happens kind of thing. Just want as many facts as I can get. Lol

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

EXCELLENT REPLY!!!! :gj::gj:
This is why we miss Zina so much in the summer!!!



Yup!




Excellent reply here as well!!! Spot on top to bottom. :gj::gj:



This thread has been awesome. Very good info and lots of positive learning. Thid is a great example of why this is such a great forum!

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I You're very helpful too. Don't cut yourself short. [emoji4] I'm so grateful for all the replies to my thousands of questions. Knowledge is what will make our snakes live better lives and the people of this forum provide that. I love it! I couldn't be the best I can be without the handful of you all. You're all amazing and I thank you SO much!

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

I You're very helpful too. Don't cut yourself short. [emoji4] I'm so grateful for all the replies to my thousands of questions. Knowledge is what will make our snakes live better lives and the people of this forum provide that. I love it! I couldn't be the best I can be without the handful of you all. You're all amazing and I thank you SO much!

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Hey, we're here to help. We were all beginners once. Back when I started out I did so much wrong. But that was before forums like this. They're such a great tool for everyone from newbies to experienced keepers and breeders.
I know I like to help people enjoy this hobby as much as I enjoy it. We love these amazing animals and I know I'm happy to help others where I can.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hey, we're here to help. We were all beginners once. Back when I started out I did so much wrong. But that was before forums like this. They're such a great tool for everyone from newbies to experienced keepers and breeders.
I know I like to help people enjoy this hobby as much as I enjoy it. We love these amazing animals and I know I'm happy to help others where I can.

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^^^This^^^. When I bought my first boa in ‘91, there was nothing like this forum. I was lucky and had a pretty knowledgable local shop that had a few experienced reptile keepers on staff. That doesn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes or learn to do things a better way with time and experience. As for this forum, it is one of the most positive I’ve ever had the privilege of joining. :)

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Originally Posted by HeathBish

...So, you think once I have him and I'm sitting he will try and strike at me? Or are they usually pretty calm after being picked up?
Sorry for all the questions. It's one of those things that I'm going to be scared to get it until it happens kind of thing. Just want as many facts as I can get. Lol...

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Remember that snakes do not see well...you are a big scary blur coming toward him. Snakes may hiss or even lunge hoping to scare you off, but it's up to you to
communicate that you are safe. "How do I do that?" The way you touch a snake tells them a lot...if you are abrupt or use excessive force, you seem like a predator-
that's more likely to get you nipped or at least "unfriended". Don't hold them tightly...stay out of their face, and don't grab their neck or tail as predators often do that.
Do your best to keep your hands flat & UNDER them, especially at first: snake don't bite the ground they crawl on, do they? If you're calm & patient & gentle, your
snake will pick up on that. Remember that they are most fearful when you are first picking them up, or even putting them back in their cage (can you remember as a
child how helpless it feels to be 'dangled'???) so go slow. Some snakes do fear faces so don't get too close...laps are a safer bet. And don't assume that every time you
pick up a snake that it's mood will be the same as last time. (-is yours?) They can have a "bad day" too. Relax, you'll do great. Empathy, that's mostly all you need.

In time, they'll know you both by touch & scent, but right now, you're both new to each other. Pay attention to their body language, it tells you more than you think.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Remember that snakes do not see well...you are a big scary blur coming toward him. Snakes may hiss or even lunge hoping to scare you off, but it's up to you to
communicate that you are safe. "How do I do that?" The way you touch a snake tells them a lot...if you are abrupt or use excessive force, you seem like a predator-
that's more likely to get you nipped or at least "unfriended". Don't hold them tightly...stay out of their face, and don't grab their neck or tail as predators often do that.
Do your best to keep your hands flat & UNDER them, especially at first: snake don't bite the ground they crawl on, do they? If you're calm & patient & gentle, your
snake will pick up on that. Remember that they are most fearful when you are first picking them up, or even putting them back in their cage (can you remember as a
child how helpless it feels to be 'dangled'???) so go slow. Some snakes do fear faces so don't get too close...laps are a safer bet. And don't assume that every time you
pick up a snake that it's mood will be the same as last time. (-is yours?) They can have a "bad day" too. Relax, you'll do great. Empathy, that's mostly all you need.

In time, they'll know you both by touch & scent, but right now, you're both new to each other. Pay attention to their body language, it tells you more than you think.

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I get the picture. Makes lots of sense. Will do. Thanks so much!

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Definitely agree with what was said about hissing and body language. Definitely a good place to get advice and some really good people here to get it from. Every once in a while when checking my boys during shed I get a big old hiss, it’s all in the body language. Best of luck!

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Definitely agree with what was said about hissing and body language. Definitely a good place to get advice and some really good people here to get it from. Every once in a while when checking my boys during shed I get a big old hiss, it’s all in the body language. Best of luck!

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Thanks Sonny!

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