Help with Teaching SO

So... I am going to be away from the house Monday through Thursday. I have to teach my SO how to handle my snakes so that they can continue to get 15 minutes of handling everyday. This is what I plan on saying:

When handling snakes you have to be aware that any snake can bite, and even though a snake doesn't usually bite you have to treat each time you pick them up with care and respect. To pick one up you slowly pull out the tub. Then you look for the snake. If you can take the snake stick and tap the snake on the head a few times very lightly. This lets the snake know that it isn't feeding time, and that you are going to pick it up. If you cannot see the head, ie he is in the hide, you can remove the hide, and then tap him on the head. After you tap him on the head you can proceed to pull him out of the tub with the snake stick. (At this time I will show her how to do this.) Once you get him out you must support the snake. For the boa he will generally wrap around one of your fingers and will support himself from there. The blood python is a bit different. You have to fully support his body. Blood pythons do not climb, so he will not wrap himself around your hand or fingers. He is unable to support his own body. You have to support as much of his body as you can at any given point in time. (After explaining this I will take out both snakes and show her what I mean. )

Then I was going to explain what to do when bit.

So when you get bit by a snake one of the most important things is to not pull away. It does take some practice to not pull away, but boas and pythons have curved teeth and if you pull away you run a higher risk of doing damage to yourself. Generally when a snake is biting out of fear the snake will simply tag you. He will bite and quickly release. Usually the only time a snake will bite and keep biting is if he has mistaken you for food. So please do not feed them, or handle the frozen rodents around the time you will handle the snake.

Other General Husbandry

2x per day check the temps and humidity
mist 2x daily
check the water bowl when misting
When holding do not restrict movement


Overall this is what I can think of as the important bullet points I should tell her. I could use some help, is there anything I've missed? I will be there every Fri - Monday Morning She will be able to contact me if there is any major emergency.

Honestly, I think you're better off just letting them chill while you're gone. They won't miss the interaction and would be better left alone if you're SO isn't 100% comfortable and confident.

First off, they don't need handling every day...I wouldn't worry about it. I also would not try to give anyone a 'crash course' on reptile handling...
this is something learned slowly & patiently, not under pressure when you aren't there to help & advise.

Hi,

As the others have said I think the path of wisdom is to let the snakes be while you are away for such a short time. Not only to take any potential stress away from the situation from the snakes point of view but also from your SO. :D

It always seems to work out best when the decision to hold them is more gradual and left to the person to choose when to start and for how long at a time. The snakes won't give two hoots unless the handling was forced and stressy. ;)

OK thats even easier. I will let her know. As always you guys help me out. Thanks alot. :)

It's great if she's willing (?) & able to keep an eye on them, as far as temps. & water & such, but it's just wiser not push their handling- they don't need it anyway.

Well she holds the snakes now when I do. She just hasn't been the one to take them out.

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I just figured I should give her a run down of how to do it right if I'm not gonna be there to help.

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I had left home for business meetings to a funeral from 2 days to 2 weeks while my husband hold the fort down at home. The same thing I tell my husband as my pet sitter: Unless they pooped in their tanks, and I'm gone for less than 7 days, leave them be. Not worth risking them accidentally not closing the tanks properly. I don't care if they get bit: They got teeth, of course they will bite.

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

I just figured I should give her a run down of how to do it right if I'm not gonna be there to help.

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It wouldn't hurt to give her a brief lesson and have her practice once just in case there is an injury or major problem and she has to take one to the vet, but definitely not just for daily handling if she isn't inclined to do it herself as-is.

After you're back, you could work with her to teach her if she wants to and have her start picking them up out of the cage before you both handle for the easier ones.

Agree with the rest though, the snakes won't be bothered by not coming out a few days and it probably isn't great if she is being pushed to do it for something as unnecessary as that.

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