What's the best way to get over fear of snakes!

This is such an amazing and informative thread to read! My BP, Sophie and Howl, are four months old and getting BIG. The bigger they get, the more nervous I get in feeding them and even invading their space. Good thread to read and then go pick them up regardless of my irrational fears.

Moto Vacitae (Sp?) Latin for Just Do it! Just jump in b***s deep and don't think about it!

ok...this is such a slow process!!!! Last night, I took Dakota out of his enclosure - used two hands and walked over to the bed. He wrapped himself around both hands, then I didn't know what to do! I put him down on the bed eventually, but the more his head traveled on my arm, the more anxious I became and ultimately put him back - :(feeling like it was a set back to a certain degree. I had intentions of spending more time with him, but got scared - then felt like I was being ridiculous - oh and I was disappointed too. Really teensy, tiny steps. It's driving me crazy!

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Originally Posted by cheryls

ok...this is such a slow process!!!! Last night, I took Dakota out of his enclosure - used two hands and walked over to the bed. He wrapped himself around both hands, then I didn't know what to do! I put him down on the bed eventually, but the more his head traveled on my arm, the more anxious I became and ultimately put him back - :(feeling like it was a set back to a certain degree. I had intentions of spending more time with him, but got scared - then felt like I was being ridiculous - oh and I was disappointed too. Really teensy, tiny steps. It's driving me crazy!

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Don't be so hard on yourself. Sounds like you made progress to me. You did something you've never done before - isn't that the definition of progress? It also means you stepped out of your comfort zone - which by the way has moved! Yee-ha, girl, you go! :gj:

Thanks so much for your encouragement! My daughter came home tonight for the holidays. She went right into her room, opened Dakota's enclosure and lifted him out, cradling him in her arms. He snaked his way up the arm of her jacket and was just hanging out. I watched carefully and then joined in the fun for a couple of minutes. She'll help me a bit with this over the weekend - until feeding day anyway.

On a sad note :( we just learned tonight that our family dog, Emma, is on her way to doggy heaven. She's been sick and just getting worse and the doc tonight said that, "it's very bad." I started crying right there at the vet's office. She's been the best damn dog anyone could ever ask for. There's only one chance for a miracle and that's if she responds tonight to some steroid treatment. Otherwise, she'll continue to weaken until she passes on. We're all very, very sad.

I'm so sorry to hear about Emma. My daughter's cat died two weeks after she left for college. I know how hard it is. My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope that miracle happens.

Thanks so much Rosetta. The loss of your cat must have been so hard just after she left for school.

Hang in there, Cheryl. We're all hoping for that miracle for Emma!

Well..our dear Golden, Emma, passed away this past Monday. It's been quite a week...can't believe how much we're mourning the loss of this pet.:(

Now turning to Dakota and Rosey (our cat) for more comfort.

Thanks for your support all along the way. I really appreciate it.

I have read all 11 pages of this because I have a new coastal carpet python that I have had for a couple of weeks and I cannot get the nerve to pick him up for anything. I have a ball and I can just reach right in and grab him, but this carpet is young and the first day he probably struck about 20 times and he has his bluff on me. Everytime I consider it, he gets in that "s" position and I am petrified. I am a 33 year old coal miner and I am scared of a snake about as big around as those big kindergarden pencils, what gives! I guess my bp is just so laid back he doesn't bother me. He is always in his hide and I wanted another snake that hung out so I got the carpet. He is out all day like I wanted, but I cannot stand not being able to handle him. I need to get busy because they get pretty big. I wish I could just stick my hand in there and let him bite me to see if it hurts, but I'm a chicken too

I don't know anything about corn snakes - except that they're cute - but, it took me a long time to get used to Dakota. With lots of help from this thread, I've learned to understand his "moods" so to speak and know when he just doesn't want anything to do with me.

Tonight, I cleaned his enclosure. He's still pissed off about it, but before I finished the job, we spent a little time together.

I really found the advice around petting and touching before handling was good. I can tell by his reaction whether or not he'll tolerate me picking him up. But, again, I don't know anything about snakes - except what I've learned on this site.

cheryl

ps. I prefer scotch, but one person mentioned tequila...it really helps if you happen to partake in drink!:)

the answer to the question is.
to get bit a few times and realize that 90% of bites are over before you even realize they happen. and then laugh because you were scared of them. LOL

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Originally Posted by cheryls

Well..our dear Golden, Emma, passed away this past Monday. It's been quite a week...can't believe how much we're mourning the loss of this pet.:(

Now turning to Dakota and Rosey (our cat) for more comfort.

Thanks for your support all along the way. I really appreciate it.

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Cheryl, I am so sorry about Emma. I know it must be so hard. And I am glad things are going well with Dakota. Keep it up!

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Originally Posted by bbrewer07

I have read all 11 pages of this because I have a new coastal carpet python that I have had for a couple of weeks and I cannot get the nerve to pick him up for anything. I have a ball and I can just reach right in and grab him, but this carpet is young and the first day he probably struck about 20 times and he has his bluff on me. Everytime I consider it, he gets in that "s" position and I am petrified. I am a 33 year old coal miner and I am scared of a snake about as big around as those big kindergarden pencils, what gives! I guess my bp is just so laid back he doesn't bother me. He is always in his hide and I wanted another snake that hung out so I got the carpet. He is out all day like I wanted, but I cannot stand not being able to handle him. I need to get busy because they get pretty big. I wish I could just stick my hand in there and let him bite me to see if it hurts, but I'm a chicken too

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Is he still striking at the side of his enclosure?

I am sure over time, you will get used to each other. Maybe try opening his enclosure and talking to him. Then reach in, slide your hand over to him, and pet his back.

Good luck and keep us posted, too. BTW, gender, age, and profession have nothing to do with fear or comfort of snakes. :)

Cheryls, I'm so sorry about Emma. I know how sad it is to lose a pet. Dakota and Rosey will help you through it....I know this, because Eva is helping me.

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Originally Posted by MelissaFlipski

Cheryl, I am so sorry about Emma. I know it must be so hard. And I am glad things are going well with Dakota. Keep it up!



Is he still striking at the side of his enclosure?

I am sure over time, you will get used to each other. Maybe try opening his enclosure and talking to him. Then reach in, slide your hand over to him, and pet his back.

Good luck and keep us posted, too. BTW, gender, age, and profession have nothing to do with fear or comfort of snakes. :)

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Well I got 2 meals in him and waited 48 hours before I was going to handle him. He hasn't been striking at the glass so I thought maybe it would go good. I put my gloves on and got my hook and as soon as I stuck my hook in he started striking everywhere. There is no way I can start out rubbing his back because he strikes at anything. I chickened out and put the lid on. I wish I never got him, although he does lay out and is a great display. It won't let me post pics, but if someone will let my email them they could post them up to show u this monster I'm afraid of, lol

Hi,

We have a couple of sticky's to help people with posting pictures if that is any help.

Sticky one video tutorial.

Sticky two.

There may be a few chnges as we recently upgraded the site but they should give you the idea.

One possible reason for failure is too large images (both pixel size and file size) so it's worth while shrinking them down to 800 pixels wide before uploading - this also means you can fit more of them in your gallery which is never a bad thing.


dr del

I think I have my gallery set up-can someone check and see if they can see that big monster in my gallery?

I'm afraid it is empty.:(

Did you remember to select "members galleries"?


dr del

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...v071_thumb.jpg

Hi,

Excellent - good looking snakes. :)

Just remember to use links for images over 800 wide.:gj:



dr del

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...1682_thumb.jpg

Yeah, he may look big there, here he is in a 10 gallon-what do u mean use links?

Hi,

Well there are 3 ways to show other people pictures;

The thumbnail method,

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...v071_thumb.jpg


The link method,

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...gsibnov071.JPG


And the full image method,

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...gsibnov071.JPG


I used that image because it is the only one small enough to be posted as the full image method - the others being 1590 pixels wide and our limit being 800 for that method. :)



dr del