My BP

[Miles]

Alright, I've had my BP for about 2 months now and I've given him space so he'd calm down and get settled, now I want to 'socialize' him so he's more tolerant of being handled. Is there a science to this? Is there a list of dos and don'ts? Is there a special technique or training method that would make it to where he actually enjoys being handled, rather then just tolerant of it?

Currently his attitude is, 'If its not handling me and its warm, I'm striking at it,' which I can both understand but at the same time find a little... aggressive.
anybody with tips, guidelines, or anything to help me socialize my BP would be greatly appreciated, I love snakes and I want to be able to handle mine and the snake be relatively comfortable with it. Thanks.

[RestlessRobie]

Your snakeshould grow out of the hising and striking with age Just keep your handeling to a short time and work up from there. Most of mine were this way when small and grew out of it over time. Most likely he is trying to be a tuff guys hoping you wont eat him So just keep at it and he will settle down.

[Andybill]

Just keep steady confident motions when handling him and allow him to be able to move through your hands if he feels the need to explore a little. It takes time but it will definitely come around. Well in most cases anyway... Also do it sitting down until the both of you are used to it that way if for any reason you drop him he will fall into your lap and not onto the ground.

[Miles]

I've only ever held him sitting down and actually there was a point where I was wanting to get a fanny pack to put him in lol but I didn't do that I didnt think it'd be humane. In any case, what do you think about putting something that smells like me in his tank so he gets accustomed to my scent?

[SRMD]

I heard about puttin one of your socks by his tank not sure how true this is

[Miles]

Well his tank is right next to my bed on a nightstand. Does anybody else know anything about this sock thing?

[SRMD]

just try handling him for around 5 minutes a day if he acts aggressive towards you do not put him back cause he will think every time he is aggressive you will leave him alone so if he acts like this be more determined to get him but still gently if you get what i mean, and the sock thing was something i heard about not sure if it was true lol.

Hope this helps.

[Daybreaker]

I think the sock/scenting thing is a myth: I believe it's how you approach and handle him that makes him more relaxed and calm. For example, if you're nervous about getting bit or struck at and approach him in that way (ie not going right in there to grab him but kinda hovering around him to try to get a hold) they will sense how nervous you are and act accordingly. If you approach him confidently and just go right in there and pick him up he's less likely to get defensive (or "aggressive").

How are you measuring your temps, how is your setup, and what are you using for heating? If your husbandry is off, sometimes this will make a snake act differently than normal or defensively/aggressively. If he's been very jumpy, striking at you, and acting very defensive then maybe something in his environment is throwing him off and causing him to act this way?

[DooLittle]

I think the sock/scenting thing is a myth: I believe it's how you approach and handle him that makes him more relaxed and calm. For example, if you're nervous about getting bit or struck at and approach him in that way (ie not going right in there to grab him but kinda hovering around him to try to get a hold) they will sense how nervous you are and act accordingly. If you approach him confidently and just go right in there and pick him up he's less likely to get defensive (or "aggressive").

How are you measuring your temps, how is your setup, and what are you using for heating? If your husbandry is off, sometimes this will make a snake act differently than normal or defensively/aggressively. If he's been very jumpy, striking at you, and acting very defensive then maybe something in his environment is throwing him off and causing him to act this way?

^^^^ X2

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[Vypyrz]

Calm, deliberate movement. Nothing jerky or sudden. Always bring your hands up from the bottom to their stomach. Don't move your hands directly in front of their face or directly above their head...

I think that putting a t-shirt on the cage for scenting purposes, works more for older snakes that are in a new home, with potentially helping to identify your scent as a non-threat. For younger snakes, everything is a potential threat, and it probably won't work so well. I wouldn't use a sock. I know my snakes would hate me forever if I threw one of my dirty socks in their cage...