Handling Issues

So i have had my ball for about 2 weeks now, shes not a youngin. shes about 4 years old. i have handled her a few times now. everytime i handle her shes curled up ina ball. last time i handled her, i think she striked at me, but im not sure. i felt something hit my wrist but i wasnt watching. i put her back about 5 mins after. i didnt want to put her back right away because i dont want her to think im scared of her. i have fed her once. ill be feeding again on sunday. im wondering if i should be handling her more often?? or should i just let her do her own thing?? i think shes still adjusting. last night was the most active she has ever been. she roamed around her tank for a while. then she went back in her cave for about 5 mins, then came back out halfway and basked under her red night light for about half an hour. how do i get my baby to love me more?!?!?!?

Well you can't make your snake "love you more" but you can help it to tolerate handling. A few 15-20 minute sessions a week should be fine. Handling her more is not the answer. Over time she will get used to you and realize you are no longer a threat. It just takes time for them to adjust.

okay well i guess ill start taking her out every couple days. and i ended up feeding her a rat for her first time. she had a rat pup. took it no problem. then about half an hour after she had a small rat. should i feed her something bigger next time i feed her??

A small rat weekly should be enough for a full grown female. If you notice her extra active a few days before feeding day maybe you could bump her up to a medium rat.

okay thanks again for the help, you have been a huge help. i really appreciate it

You have only had her for two weeks! She is still adapting to the new surroundings! No handling 48 hours after feed! I would handle once or twice a week tops until she gets used to you!

is it okay for me to pick her up and put her back in her tank 20 mins after she feeds??? i feed her in a seperate place. i do not feed her in her tank

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Originally Posted by Ara

is it okay for me to pick her up and put her back in her tank 20 mins after she feeds??? i feed her in a seperate place. i do not feed her in her tank

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Thats fine. You could just feed her in her tank, no reason not too.

well i dont want to fed her in there. people say that its good to feed outside of her tank. more people say to feed outside of her tank. because everytime i stick my hand in there i dont want her to think food is coming. plus when i pick her up to put her in the feeding tank. shell know im a good guy and not a threat bcause im the one feeding her

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Originally Posted by Ara

well i dont want to fed her in there. people say that its good to feed outside of her tank. more people say to feed outside of her tank. because everytime i stick my hand in there i dont want her to think food is coming. plus when i pick her up to put her in the feeding tank. shell know im a good guy and not a threat bcause im the one feeding her

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I'm sorry but MORE people say to feed inside the tank. Why on earth would she associate you sticking your hand in there with feeding if you DON'T feed her in her enclosure.

If anything, she WOULD associate your hand with food by feeding outside the enclosure because you would have to physically handle her on the day she gets fed, ever time she gets fed.

I never touch my snakes on feeding day, my hand enters the feeding process at no time. I feed in the home enclosure and I have never been "mistake for food". That argument uses poor logic.

If you want to feed outside the enclosure to avoid substrate ingestion and your snake will eat regularly outside the enclosure then go for it. But trying to avoid getting bit by feeding in a separate enclosure will ironically increase your chances of getting bit.

okay well is what i meant to say then is, more people have told ME, to feed outside of her tank. no need to be snippy. u seem to really know what your talking about so i will feed inside of her enclosure.

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Originally Posted by Ara

okay well is what i meant to say then is, more people have told ME, to feed outside of her tank. no need to be snippy. u seem to really know what your talking about so i will feed inside of her enclosure.

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Yeah it really shouldn't be a big deal feeding in the enclosure. When you normally go in to handle her, you won't have the scent of a mouse (hopefully lol). Plus if she's hungry enough to strike at you in between feeding days thinking you're food, you'd probably need to feed her more!
But I've fed in its enclosure and I've had no problems.

for a python her age? should feeding be different?? maybe a 5 day schedule?? shes pretty big, like over 4 feet long, maybe a medium rat??

Hi,

I feed all my adults a small rat once every 7 days and they seem to do quite well on it.

They are all big enough to eat a larger rat but I have found they feed more reliably on smaller, regular meals, and don't go on as many "hunger strikes" - though I do still get the odd one or two. :rolleyes:


dr del

Same as Dr. Del. What gets them into feeding mode is the smell of the rat. They can usually tell the difference between your smell and a rat smell. I wouldn't worry about feeding inside the enclosure. It might even put less stress on her by not moving her.

I feed all 9 of mine inside thier enclosures. I have never been mistaken for a rat. Just remember to wash up before and after snake handling. I keep hand sanitizer in the room. Just don't get any on the snake.

She will get used to you with time. Of course, it is a personal preference of feeding in/out of their homes. There are a lot of people who feed in seperate places, and are successful at it. It is a myth that they will mistake you for food. Unless you are holding a rat. Just remember to keep a regular schedule. They will learn what feeding day is. :) Good luck!