Easiest way to handle a new baby?

Ok, so I've had my new girl for only 2 days now, and I had to take her out once to change the heat set-up (She's got her heat tape and thermostat and everything's going good now ^_^) But when I picked up her hide she coiled up into a striking position and froze. She'll let me touch her, and I can pick her up, but I dont want to get bitten (even if it wont hurt) and I dont want to stress her out. I plan on leaving her alone from now until feeding day, but other than that, how can I make her feel more secure?

I read that you should just not handle your BP and through regular cleanings and feedings they'll get used to you. But the way I see it, they'd only get used to your presence. I want her used to handling. What's the least stressful way to go about this?

She's only about a month old, give or take. She hasn't tried to strike at me yet, even when I handled her, but you can feel her tense up and I know she's on edge. Obviously I'm not expecting an over-night attitude adjustment, i just want advice.

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

What's the least stressful way to go about this?

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Time and patience.

Since she's so young, I'd definitely get her feeding regularly (get a good 2-3 meals into her) before you start handling her much. Make sure she has some nice secure hides so she feels safe.

Once she's feeding well, just handle her for a few minutes at a time (and wait 48 hours after feeding before handling, always) Just let her crawl where she wants to (within reason of course.. lol) if she wants to sit curled in a ball for the whole 5-10 minutes, let her, she'll calm down eventually.

You don't want to restrain her at all though, grabbing her anywhere or touching her head/neck area will really scare her. Try not to get nervous about a bite either (trust me it's nothing if she bites you) if you're nervous, she can pick up on that.

Good luck with her. I bet she's real cute. :)

and what Shelby said :D

Nate, I gotta say, that avatar rocks. It's so you. :P

Not to hijack the thread. ;)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

It's so you. :P

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:8: callin me fat?

"You don't want to restrain her at all though, grabbing her anywhere or touching her head/neck area will really scare her."

Then how do I pick her up for a feeding or a cleaning?

And as for being nervous about bites, I've been bitten before and I know it's not a big deal. But those snakes weren't MINE. This is the first snake that is really and truly MINE, not one that I'm babysitting or working with etc. So I'm really nervous about it anyway. I dont want her to bite me because I dont want to mess up with her. If she bites that means she's scared and I messed up. :( (In my eyes anyway.)

Have you ever seen how a venomous snake keeper gets the snakes attention with one hand and then comes in behind it with the other hand and grab it? Something similar to that is what I do, but with absolutely no aggression. I always grab them by their mid body and I make sure their head is facing a direction in which they will not be aggressive towards me.

I always let it be know that I'm there...i'll gently run my fingers along its spine so I don't spook it too much and then gently pick it up.

When I had her in the tub right after she arrived, that's what I did. I hung my hand down into the tub and let her "smell" it while I stroked her spine. She started breathing a little heavy but I was able to gently pick her up without her showing any aggression. She just shows fear, and I understand. I just want her to get past that as quick as she can. I want her to know she's safe, so I've been researching techniques. I've never had to deal with a snake this young. My worst fear is that she wont eat for me...

Just give her time..she'll warm up to ya. You'll do just fine. she'll eat when she's hungry :)

Also, I read that when they roam a lot it means they are unhappy. She has spent the last two days in her hides during the day and roaming at about 10pm for a few hours after. Is this the "unhappy" roaming or "normal" roaming?

I put my hand up to the tank today and she looked at it and then brushed past it and continued on. Will that get her used to me or stress her out more?

sounds normal to me. they're active at night.

well, i'd help out and give you some advice but it looks like nate's got that covered!:) and the roaming at night sounds completely normal to me. some are more active than others. one of mine is usually out most nights for a couple hours. nothing to worry about

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

"You don't want to restrain her at all though, grabbing her anywhere or touching her head/neck area will really scare her."

Then how do I pick her up for a feeding or a cleaning?

And as for being nervous about bites, I've been bitten before and I know it's not a big deal. But those snakes weren't MINE. This is the first snake that is really and truly MINE, not one that I'm babysitting or working with etc. So I'm really nervous about it anyway. I dont want her to bite me because I dont want to mess up with her. If she bites that means she's scared and I messed up. :( (In my eyes anyway.)

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Just don't touch the front third of her body if you can help it. Just stroke her sides a bit first then scoop her up in your hand, you don't want to come straight overhead and grab her (that's kind of like a bird of prey or something coming down at them.. scary)

Oh and if getting bitten by your snake means you've messed up.. well then I'm a failure of a snake keeper. LOL don't take it that harshly if she bites you.. think about it, you're a few hundred times bigger than her, and she's just a baby.. be surprised if she doesn't bite, think of it that way. She'll come around.

And her roaming the cage at night is normal, she's probably hungry. BPs are nocturnal.. nighttime exploring is normal.

Bottom line - you're a predator to her, especially since she's a baby, so she's going to be scared of you.

Just time and patience. Give her this week to settle in and don't handle her if you don't have to. Preferably, don't handle her until at least 48 hours after her first successful feed with you (and only attempt to feed once a week).

With patience and gentle handling, she'll come to learn that you aren't a threat. Good luck!