Wiggles, the Children's Python

[Homebody]

I’ve noticed that Wiggles avoids doing things that lead directly to being handled. That’s why he no longer goes in the forbidden gap (post #59). When I open his enclosure now, he still heads over to the gap. He explores it with his head and neck, but he doesn’t go in. I monitor his behavior pretty closely. So, when he does this, I move my chair a little closer so I can grab him if I need to. When I do this, he withdraws immediately and looks at me. I imagine him saying, “I was just looking. I wasn’t going to go in there.” His fear of being handled, in that moment, is palpable.

When I say fear, I don’t mean terror. He doesn’t strike at me. He just doesn’t want to be handled. It’s like if you drive too fast through a speed trap. You’re afraid you’re going to get a ticket. That fear of being handled has proven to be an effective teaching tool.

During last night’s activity session, Wiggles made a beeline for the hallway where I keep my laundry cart. That’s where I eventually found him after I lost him a couple weeks ago and, as a result, where he’s no longer allowed to go. Just before he reached the threshold, I scooped him up and put him back on his activity station. From there, he made a beeline for the hallway again, and again, I scooped him up and returned him to his activity station. I don’t know how many times we did this, 3, 4, maybe 5 times, but, eventually, before he reached the threshold he stopped on his own, sat there for a minute or two and went back the way he came. I hope, eventually, he’ll learn to keep himself in the living room and I won’t have to intervene so often.

This got me to thinking, “How do I feel about Wiggles’s perception of my handling as negative reinforcement?” It turns out I’m totally o.k. with it. I think I differ from a lot of keepers in that I’ve never really enjoyed handling all that much. When I had a bp, who is the undisputed king of handling, I found that what I enjoyed the most was when he climbed off my shoulders and started exploring. By giving him the freedom to explore on his own, I was able to learn what he liked and what he didn't. I got to know him personally. When he passed, I decided to get a snake that was more active and inquisitive. That he was less handleable didn’t bother me.

Now, I know that negative reinforcement is a limited tool. Tickets don’t stop people from speeding. Wiggles will get accustomed to my handing, but I’ll happily use it as long as it’s effective.