Handling issues

I last posted at the beginning of June when I first got my BP. I had quite a dew husbandry issues which have now been resolved thanks to the great advice I was given on here :)

However apart from 2 seconds to place him into a rub while I cleaned his viv, I haven't handled him at all. He's approx 3 years old. I tried to get him out last week and he struck at me. This scared the crap outta me. I was nervous about handling him anyway So I shut the viv and left him alone. I know some may say to ignore it and carry on, but it scared me and he looked very defensive.

Basically I urgently need sone handling tips. Best time if day? from his hide? And any other help you can give me.

The guy who had him before didn't handle him much, I handled him before I bought him home and he seemed fine. He's eating fine, he had a crappy shed when I first got him but he's all clear now tho.

Many thanks in advance :)

My first question would be: how often and what are you feeding?

Also can you give your husbandry stats to us again?

sent from my EVO

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Originally Posted by jbean7916

My first question would be: how often and what are you feeding?

Also can you give your husbandry stats to us again?

sent from my EVO

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He's feeding every 7 days. 4x jumbo mice a time.

90 on warm side and 80 on cool side. Humidity is 55.

Hmmmmm. Shouldn't be hungry (though for your sake i'd switch to rats). Is it possible you just startled him?

sent from my EVO

If he's hungry, and it's late in the day or at night, he may just be striking at movement. Mine do that, sometimes. They are easy to pick up and work with earlier in the day, but toward evening they start to think about dinner. Since yours has made you a bit nervous, try handling him during morning hours. He should be less likely to strike, because that's not a normal time of day where he would be looking for a meal. :gj:

He's nippy because he's not used to being handled.

Handle for short periods to begin with, then increase handling over time.

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Originally Posted by jbean7916

Hmmmmm. Shouldn't be hungry (though for your sake i'd switch to rats). Is it possible you just startled him?

sent from my EVO

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I want him to be on rats, my local store stops selling rats, and he was previously fed on large mice, ( probably nit 4 a time tho tbh) I didn't startle him, I don't think. He knew I was there I woke him up, and Im in there everyday changing his water ect. Shall I just get him from his hide, once he knows I'm there? Is it better for him to be in a ball when I pick him up? Sometimes he's outside is cool hide not in a ball.

Sorry my spelling is awful.. I'm on my iPhone lol

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Originally Posted by GoFride

If he's hungry, and it's late in the day or at night, he may just be striking at movement. Mine do that, sometimes. They are easy to pick up and work with earlier in the day, but toward evening they start to think about dinner. Since yours has made you a bit nervous, try handling him during morning hours. He should be less likely to strike, because that's not a normal time of day where he would be looking for a meal. :gj:

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Thankyou for your reply, it was the morning when I tried last week. I think I just have to get over the nerves and bite the bullet :)

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Originally Posted by llovelace

He's nippy because he's not used to being handled.

Handle for short periods to begin with, then increase handling over time.

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Short periods, would that be like 5 mins? Sorry if that sounds obvious lol. I don't want me or him to be stressed unduly.

5mins would be fine and yeah, I would pick him up from his hide when hes in a ball, it will be more comfortable for you since they are less likely to strike from that position.

sent from my EVO

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Originally Posted by jbean7916

5mins would be fine and yeah, I would pick him up from his hide when hes in a ball, it will be more comfortable for you since they are less likely to strike from that position.

sent from my EVO

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Thankyou so much for your replies! I shall let you know how it goes, he's due to be fed tomorrow night, so I may leave picking him up till the weekend :)

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Originally Posted by Naomiii

Short periods, would that be like 5 mins? Sorry if that sounds obvious lol. I don't want me or him to be stressed unduly.

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Yeah, that would be ok. Just make slow, deliberate movements. Don't grab him, let him hold you. Don't reach over his head, either. If he is acting really aggressive, leave him be and try again later. He'll snap out of it eventually.

Don't let him frighten ya. The worse part about bites is waiting to be bit. After the fact you're sure to get a good laugh out of it. It is all the shock factor. Although I've never been bitten by a ball, I've taken bites from similar species and much larger species (dumerils, red tails, carpets, amazon tree boas, bloods, etc) and none even required a bandaid.

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Originally Posted by AK907

Yeah, that would be ok. Just make slow, deliberate movements. Don't grab him, let him hold you. Don't reach over his head, either. If he is acting really aggressive, leave him be and try again later. He'll snap out of it eventually.

Don't let him frighten ya. The worse part about bites is waiting to be bit. After the fact you're sure to get a good laugh out of it. It is all the shock factor. Although I've never been bitten by a ball, I've taken bites from similar species and much larger species (dumerils, red tails, carpets, amazon tree boas, bloods, etc) and none even required a bandaid.

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Thankyou, I'm sure you're right, waiting to be bitten has got to be worse than actually being bitten! I've psyched myself up to prepare for a bite, that will most
likely (I hope) not happen. I'm pleased to hear it's no biggy to be bitten :) I will let you know how it goes :)

Let him bite you. It's fun and makes for great pictures.

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Let him bite you. It's fun and makes for great pictures.

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And you get join our exclusive bite club... :D

I would say if you are really nervous to reach in with gloves on. Also, I don't know how you are waking him up, but that could be giving him the time to decide that he doesn't want to be bothered. Just lift up the hide and gently pick him up from the middle of his body. I slide my hand underneath when they are balled up, but make sure you don't hesitate once you've lifted the hide. It'll be fine. My little guy nabbed me in the temple the first time I met him. I was looking him over, checking for mites and listening to his breathing and he got me right in the face. Two teeny tiny pinpricks of blood that I didn't notice until I got home. He hasn't bitten me since though.

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Originally Posted by Naomiii

He's feeding every 7 days. 4x jumbo mice a time.

90 on warm side and 80 on cool side. Humidity is 55.

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I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my BP eats 1 small rat every 14 days.
How do you feed 4 jumbo mice?
And how heavy/large is your BP ?
Do you introduce them 1 at a time or some other method? (all at once) ?

Harry

I know its scary sometimes for me also. I have never been biten or struck at. I just go for it and after I pick them up I realize how silly I am. Sometimes I wish one would bite so I could join the club.

Move his hide and anything else that could get in your way or that he could wrap around. Get at an angle where you can grab him from behind so if he decides to strike he won't hit you and just pick him up. Like Ilovelace said he's not used to being handled so try to get him out with the least amount of stress to him and you and just take it slow.

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Originally Posted by Old Sloppy

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my BP eats 1 small rat every 14 days.
How do you feed 4 jumbo mice?
And how heavy/large is your BP ?
Do you introduce them 1 at a time or some other method? (all at once) ?

Harry

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^This.... Are you sure you don't have a Burn or something?

If hes 3 I dont see what the problem is with the 4 mice? I have a 2 yr old that will take small rats every 3 days if you offer. My female eats about 2 smalls a week. Plus, depending on where they come from, the sizes can really vary. Just because a pet store calls them jumbos doesn't mean they are :)

sent from my EVO

I have a very good friend that is a herpatologist and i asked him his opinion not everyone would agree im sure but he suggested a snake hook. it will make the snake want to be held because it will not feel supported. make sure it is large enough for your snake tho. best of luck tho

That is if you are afraid to get bit...

You guys actually lift their hides up and take them out of the place they feel secure?
That is the only time I do not bother my BP. When he is in his hide, that is his safe place so I never mess around with that.
Then again my BP will come out as soon as I open his enclosure doors. He knows it is feeding time if I place the tub in front of his enclosure and if there is no tub, then he knows it is handling time.
My suggestion is to get over the fear of being bitten, don't let him be the boss of you. Reach in and pick him up, one hand 3" or so from the back of his head and the second hand about 4" from his tail. Just make sure you do not go at him face on. He will be fine with that, then just handle him for 5mins or so, do that everyday other then 24hours before and 24hours after feedings. He will get used to it and not have any problems with it.
My friend had a BP that would strike at everything day or night and was never handled. After 2 weeks of me going over everyday and doing what I described above, the BP was fine with being handled and even seemed to enjoy it. My buddy is now able to take him out of his enclosure and enjoy him.
Hope this helps. I know someone will have an opinion on this, but it has worked for me with my BP from day 1 and on my buddies fierce/mean BP as well. Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy your scaley pet.

Snake hooks work great! That's what we use sometimes to get ours out of their tank if they seem to have an attitude. Once they're out, they calm down. I'm also going to suggest something most people will disagree with and that's feeding in a different enclosure. Maybe your snake is confusing your hand with food. We feed all of ours in different enclosures and have never had any problems (we also started out doing this when they were babies, so it's what they are used to). It may not work on an older snake, but anything is worth a try. You also have to show him who's the boss...YOU ARE! If he strikes and you leave him alone, he knows to do it again if he don't want to be held. I, personally, haven't been bit yet, so I can only imagine that it would startle you. I believe that all snakes have different things that work for them and their owners and you just have to find what works. Try the things others suggested until you find something that works. Good news is (from what I've heard)....the bite doesn't hurt as bad as the startle of having a snake strike at you. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Jaxx

You guys actually lift their hides up and take them out of the place they feel secure?
That is the only time I do not bother my BP. When he is in his hide, that is his safe place so I never mess around with that.
Then again my BP will come out as soon as I open his enclosure doors. He knows it is feeding time if I place the tub in front of his enclosure and if there is no tub, then he knows it is handling time.
My suggestion is to get over the fear of being bitten, don't let him be the boss of you. Reach in and pick him up, one hand 3" or so from the back of his head and the second hand about 4" from his tail. Just make sure you do not go at him face on. He will be fine with that, then just handle him for 5mins or so, do that everyday other then 24hours before and 24hours after feedings. He will get used to it and not have any problems with it.
My friend had a BP that would strike at everything day or night and was never handled. After 2 weeks of me going over everyday and doing what I described above, the BP was fine with being handled and even seemed to enjoy it. My buddy is now able to take him out of his enclosure and enjoy him.
Hope this helps. I know someone will have an opinion on this, but it has worked for me with my BP from day 1 and on my buddies fierce/mean BP as well. Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy your scaley pet.

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Jaxx

This is great advice for everyone, but may I also add, do not feed you BP in it's viv, take him out and feed him in a tub or something like that, that way the chance of him striking over food is minimal

2nd the snake hooks.

Most of the time I've encountered striking has been on picking up the snake, not normal handling. Any snake I've used a cage hook on has lost their striking behavior fairly quickly and I guess that they figure out that I'm not picking them up so I can eat them.

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Originally Posted by Old Sloppy

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my BP eats 1 small rat every 14 days.
How do you feed 4 jumbo mice?
And how heavy/large is your BP ?
Do you introduce them 1 at a time or some other method? (all at once) ?

Harry

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Due to the handling probs I haven't weighed him since I've had him, he's about 3.5 ft in length though. I introduce them one at a time, straight after the last one, I leave him alone to swallow, the offer the next one. He strikes or will take it of the log in his viv. I would like him to be on small rats but my local shop has stopped selling them, the large/jumbo mice are approx 30g each I think. I think we would eat alot more, so I'm planning on buying done rats online, but want to get the handling problems over with first.

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Originally Posted by babyknees

Move his hide and anything else that could get in your way or that he could wrap around. Get at an angle where you can grab him from behind so if he decides to strike he won't hit you and just pick him up. Like Ilovelace said he's not used to being handled so try to get him out with the least amount of stress to him and you and just take it slow.

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If I move his stuff out the way, won't he feel more insecure? I did that last week.

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Originally Posted by mlperryman

Snake hooks work great! That's what we use sometimes to get ours out of their tank if they seem to have an attitude. Once they're out, they calm down. I'm also going to suggest something most people will disagree with and that's feeding in a different enclosure. Maybe your snake is confusing your hand with food. We feed all of ours in different enclosures and have never had any problems (we also started out doing this when they were babies, so it's what they are used to). It may not work on an older snake, but anything is worth a try. You also have to show him who's the boss...YOU ARE! If he strikes and you leave him alone, he knows to do it again if he don't want to be held. I, personally, haven't been bit yet, so I can only imagine that it would startle you. I believe that all snakes have different things that work for them and their owners and you just have to find what works. Try the things
others suggested until you find something that works. Good news is (from what I've heard)....the bite doesn't hurt as bad as the startle of having a snake strike


at you. Good luck!

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Thankyou for your reply, if I can't crack picking him up on the next try, I'm going to get a snake hook. Any tips for using one?

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Originally Posted by SteelTownGuido

Jaxx

This is great advice for everyone, but may I also add, do not feed you BP in it's viv, take him out and feed him in a tub or something like that, that way the chance of him striking over food is minimal

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I honestly don't think he has confused me with food, he tends to be fine when I am in there changing his water and tidying his plants ect. It seems to be defensive when I try to pick him up. I know its because he hasn't been handled a lot especially over the last 12 months, if I were to feed him outside of his viv, I would still have the original problem of picking him up in the first place lol.

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Originally Posted by SteelTownGuido

Jaxx

This is great advice for everyone, but may I also add, do not feed you BP in it's viv, take him out and feed him in a tub or something like that, that way the chance of him striking over food is minimal

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Thanks.
And as far as the feeding goes, if you read this line of my original post you will realize that I do feed him in a seperate area.::

"He knows it is feeding time if I place the tub in front of his enclosure and if there is no tub, then he knows it is handling time."

Fear can cause problems when handling an animal. May I suggest thick gloves and a long sleeve shirt until your BP settles down. Then you can approach him with confidence. I had an iguana that was a biter once. I just let him bite me over and over until he got tired of it and settled into a nice pet. :)

I don't think tank feeding is the issue here personally.

As far as not getting bit goes, be aware of two things when you go to grab your snake. First off, don't go near their head(obviously). But second, be aware of the light source in the room. Snakes don't have the best vision, but they definitely know they should worry when a big shadow suddenly covers them. If you have a ceiling light and you come between the light and the snake, you'll probably scare it.

Finally, just go for contact. Put your hand against their mid section and just hold it there a second while they realize you're there. Snakes don't have eyelids, and I know I've startled mine by waking her up a few times. I've pulled the hide off and she hasn't moved at all, even after the initial contact she won't move sometimes, but then all of a sudden, she wakes up and realizes i'm there and the immediate reaction is for her to pull back.

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Originally Posted by Jeo123

I don't think tank feeding is the issue here personally.

As far as not getting bit goes, be aware of two things when you go to grab your snake. First off, don't go near their head(obviously). But second, be aware of the light source in the room. Snakes don't have the best vision, but they definitely know they should worry when a big shadow suddenly covers them. If you have a ceiling light and you come between the light and the snake, you'll probably scare it.

Finally, just go for contact. Put your hand against their mid section and just hold it there a second while they realize you're there. Snakes don't have eyelids, and I know I've startled mine by waking her up a few times. I've pulled the hide off and she hasn't moved at all, even after the initial contact she won't move sometimes, but then all of a sudden, she wakes up and realizes i'm there and the immediate reaction is for her to pull back.

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I agree .
My BP is quite head shy,she prefers to be picked up by the back 2/3 of her body.
Also I do the "hand against the midsection" thing, in fact I will gently stroke her so she is not startled.
I allso "tank feed" with no problems, I do have a very large tank however.
I once (after eating pizza) reached in (to change her water dish) and was bit (only for a 1/4 second) ever since I allways wash my hands with soap and have never had a problem like that again.
But yea, I will lift her hollow log, pick her up then place her around my neck and have both hands free to clean the tank.
I keep an old bedsheet over the tank for "privacy" and to keep humidity up too.

Harry

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Originally Posted by Jeo123

I don't think tank feeding is the issue here personally.

As far as not getting bit goes, be aware of two things when you go to grab your snake. First off, don't go near their head(obviously). But second, be aware of the light source in the room. Snakes don't have the best vision, but they definitely know they should worry when a big shadow suddenly covers them. If you have a ceiling light and you come between the light and the snake, you'll probably scare it.

Finally, just go for contact. Put your hand against their mid section and just hold it there a second while they realize you're there. Snakes don't have
eyelids, and I know I've startled mine by waking her up a few times. I've pulled the hide off and she hasn't moved at all, even after the initial contact she won't move sometimes, but then all of a sudden, she wakes up and realizes i'm there and the immediate reaction is for her to pull back.

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That's actually one thing I haven't ever considered, the light, and how me standing there may affect it!

I have placed my hand on his mid section before, and I see his muscles constrict/move, so I'm sure I've not startled him. I fed him last night, so I'm waiting until thursday morning to hold him.

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Originally Posted by piedplus

Fear can cause problems when handling an animal. May I suggest thick gloves and a long sleeve shirt until your BP settles down. Then you can approach him with confidence. I had an iguana that was a biter once. I just let him bite me over and over until he got tired of it and settled into a nice pet. :)

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I think long sleeves may make me feel a bit more confidant! Thanks!

Iguana bites: do they hurt? Lol

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Originally Posted by Naomiii

I think long sleeves may make me feel a bit more confidant! Thanks!

Iguana bites: do they hurt? Lol

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My iguana used to bite me fiercely when he was a little guy. Didn't hurt a bit. Once I realized it wasn't going to hurt, I just let him go at it. He finally gave it up... bruised ego I think! :lmao:

Good thing he gave it up. When he got big, I think a bite would have really hurt!

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Originally Posted by Lferg

Let him bite you. It's fun and makes for great pictures.

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I agree, let him bite you and get it over with, that way next time he gets cranky and strikes are you, you wont be so jumpy and nervous.

get him to bite your forearm and not your hand, it's easier to get him off the arm, if he latches on; like he probably will you can try tickling under the mouth, or gently pull up the front lip. don't let him wrap around you as he may hold on expecting your heartbeat to stop (and that's not going to happen).

always remember never pull away, you can hurt him really bad. then going forward you can try to always tap on his nose before picking him up. the theory to that is tapping him on the nose just before picking him up may disassociate handling from feeding.

next do not feed him in his enclosure, get a bin with newspaper and feed him in that and don't feed him near or in the same room are his enclosure as that will leave the scent around.

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Originally Posted by llovelace

He's nippy because he's not used to being handled.

Handle for short periods to begin with, then increase handling over time.

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This...

I work at a privately owned petstore and run the reptile dept. and We have tons of people that ask the same question and we have had people drop their snakes off to us due to aggression issues.

Most aggression issues all stem from the same cause...
1.) Feeding IN the tank (major No No)
2.) Not handling
3.) both
4.) species is just tempermental

I have found that in the more aggressive snakes whether it be bloods, carpets, burms (havent had an aggressive ball yet) the more you dawdle on picking them up the more oriented they are on you and the more time they have had to decide "Yep Im biting you"

Like everyone else has stated just grab it dont sit there and hesitate or touch it and change your mind then try to grab it again

Quote:

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I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my BP eats 1 small rat every 14 days.
How do you feed 4 jumbo mice?
And how heavy/large is your BP ?
Do you introduce them 1 at a time or some other method? (all at once) ?

Harry

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^^ My 1yr old bp eats 2 smaller medium rats a week no problem.

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Originally Posted by Bp_Lee_2011

I work at a privately owned petstore and run the reptile dept. and We have tons of people that ask the same question and we have had people drop their snakes off to us due to aggression issues.

Most aggression issues all stem from the same cause...
1.) Feeding IN the tank (major No No)
2.) Not handling
3.) both
4.) species is just tempermental

I have found that in the more aggressive snakes whether it be bloods, carpets, burms (havent had an aggressive ball yet) the more you dawdle on picking them up the more oriented they are on you and the more time they have had to decide "Yep Im biting you"

Like everyone else has stated just grab it dont sit there and hesitate or touch it and change your mind then try to grab it again



^^ My 1yr old bp eats 2 smaller medium rats a week no problem.

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Feeding in the tank a major no no?

I don't think so. Feeding in the tank is fine. It has nothing to do with aggression.

Conditioned feeding responses? Maybe - but those can be easily dealt with and have nothing to do with aggression.

With regards to aggression - never met an "aggressive" snake. I've met and had defensive snakes and hungry snakes, but never an aggressive one.

Yeah, feeding in the tank isn't nearly as big of an issue as people think it is. Agression has a lot more to do with the individual snake's personality than it does things like tank feeding.

I feed my snake in her tank and she wouldn't bit me even if I poked her in the face while she was in her hide(did that by accident when reaching to pick up her hide thinking she was in the other). She's been fed in tank for about 9 months out of the year I've had her and I've never been struck at.

Then again, she's also not head shy at all and is willing to tolerate me poking around her mouth with no issue other than eventually pulling back to get away. And before you think I'm just this weird guy who like poking snakes in the face, I was checking her mouth becaue it looked black.