A little background.....I've had my BP for 1-2 months now (4 successful feedings) and I've started the handling process. My BP only shows himself late at night but I've been trying to handle him during the day times. I usually tap on the glass lightly and/or tap on his hide before I remove it to get his attention. I'm a still a little fearful of trying to reach in when he's active for fear that he'll strike at me. He hasn't shown any aggression when I've gotten him out but has struck at the glass enclosure 1-2 times (once after feeding and another after I put him back because I think he was a little scared after some quick movement when I walked by the cage).
My handling has own been for a few minutes at a time. As I stated above, I remove the hide, gently rub his body and scoop him up from behind. I usually hold him for a minute or two and then either put him on the scale to weigh and rest or put him in a plastic enclosure and cover w/ a blanket while I take care of the husbandry tasks. I figured the blanket would help reduce stress of being out of his enclosure.
Should I continue w/ these practices and/or increase my holding time? Is it still OK if I hold him during the day (knowing that he could be sleeping)? I've been thinking about doing this 2-3 times a week.
Reply With Quote