Handling New Snakes

[Damselle]

Ok. So when I first handled my new guy, Louie, in the pet store, he was quite relaxed and used me as a human tree. They told me he never bit. He was warm to touch and very out going... When I handled him in the shop, he was relaxed and explorative.

since bringing him home, he's been afraid, which I understand.

the first week, I pulled him out daily only to check him to make sure he was ok. Day one, he felt cold to touch, so I upped the temps. After that, he felt a bit better temp wise, but I kept finding him borrowed after that in the cool part of the tank. I only held him for a few minutes, cause he seemed stressed, and was posturing.

On on feeding day, he grabbed the food right off, but when I put the top of the tank on, he let go of his pray x2, ... So I left it there. When I checked it in a few hours, the prey was gone.

two days later, I handled him again.. Just briefly.

tonight, though. I took him out. I spent more time. I had to take him to the bedroom cause the dog was inside... It was raining out. I kind of let him explore a little on the bed, but when he started to get too far, I picked him up behind his head, well, by his neck, and brought him back. This happened several times until he peed on me and I recognized this as a sign of stress.

so, I picked him up off the bed to bring him back to his tank and he struck at my clothes ... He's never struck before.


the only other time I've been peed on and struck at was by a king snake at a pet shop two weeks ago. By a guy that kept trying to go down my shirt, and I had to keep redirecting him... I think he was also the one that left two distinctly two fang like bruises on my arm that I didn't even notice until the next day...

so, I guess, I'm looking for some guidance on the best way to handle my little bestie without stressing him out.

thanks ❤️