Did I say "Adventure"??? (A question for experienced Giant Handlers)

[JLC]

Joe...the cage itself is part of the building...and the whole thing built years ago. How long ago, I have no idea, but it's pretty old. And I'm quite sure it was built with the intent to display reptiles...by people who had little knowledge of what's actually involved in keeping reptiles.

Butterscotch came in as a rescue situation. The building was never meant to house a full-grown burm, but it's the best we have right now.

Rebuilding it is an option...IF I want to do it myself. Which, I do...eventually. She will need a much larger enclosure eventually and I want to make sure she has that before I leave. (We're probably moving again next summer) When I rebuild some of these old enclosures into one big one, I will definitely be incorporating some safety measures for handling a giant snake. BUT...that whole project is on my shoulders...and I'm no carpenter. It's going to take time.

In the meantime, I'm stuck with the step ladder and going in from above. Just have to make the best of what I have to work with right now.

[joepythons]

Joe...the cage itself is part of the building...and the whole thing built years ago. How long ago, I have no idea, but it's pretty old. And I'm quite sure it was built with the intent to display reptiles...by people who had little knowledge of what's actually involved in keeping reptiles.

Butterscotch came in as a rescue situation. The building was never meant to house a full-grown burm, but it's the best we have right now.

Rebuilding it is an option...IF I want to do it myself. Which, I do...eventually. She will need a much larger enclosure eventually and I want to make sure she has that before I leave. (We're probably moving again next summer) When I rebuild some of these old enclosures into one big one, I will definitely be incorporating some safety measures for handling a giant snake. BUT...that whole project is on my shoulders...and I'm no carpenter. It's going to take time.

In the meantime, I'm stuck with the step ladder and going in from above. Just have to make the best of what I have to work with right now.

Ok now i understand .

[TheresaBearden]

Invest in a hook-coming in from the top of the cage is rough. It may be a feeding response but it could also be the fact that you are coming at her from above. Imagine how big we must look to our snakes when they are on the floor looking up at us. Listerine works very well-we always have it all over the place-we use it to clean and to get them off if they bite. (My husband also uses it when he gets a new tattoo to keep the area clean). We've used it for years.

I'm so sorry to hear you got bit, I can honestly say I know how that feels over and over and over again. One thing you have to remember is-don't be afraid to go back in there after her and don't hesitate when you grab her (when you let your is when they get you!!!). And if she needs somewhere to live for a few years let me know!!!!

[Lupe]

Use Butterscotch's current enclosure for some other reptile and build her a new roomy cage.

Just my thought

[JLC]

Invest in a hook-coming in from the top of the cage is rough. It may be a feeding response but it could also be the fact that you are coming at her from above. Imagine how big we must look to our snakes when they are on the floor looking up at us. Listerine works very well-we always have it all over the place-we use it to clean and to get them off if they bite. (My husband also uses it when he gets a new tattoo to keep the area clean). We've used it for years.

I'm so sorry to hear you got bit, I can honestly say I know how that feels over and over and over again. One thing you have to remember is-don't be afraid to go back in there after her and don't hesitate when you grab her (when you let your is when they get you!!!). And if she needs somewhere to live for a few years let me know!!!!

Thanks, Theresa!

I got a squirt bottle of Listerine all set up in there, now. And I do have a hook. I touch her head with it, and let her slide her neck along it whenever I open her cage and it's NOT feeding day. Hopefully she'll get used to that routine.

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... Not a good feeling.

So, I got a medium sized tub-lid and used that as a shield...got her cage all cleaned and water freshened up, but I didn't take her out of the enclosure.

I did get pictures of the set-up and of Butterscotch and will get those up as soon as possible, but it might not be until this weekend...my schedule has been crazy-busy lately.

Thanks again, guys...for all your great advice and sympathetic ears!!

[ZinniaZ]

I am glad you are ok.

I have no experience with large snakes (except for some mild ogling at NERD occasionally) but I have a lot of experience with overcoming fear.

You wrote that you sort of chickened out because she was watching your every move. To me, that sounds like honing of your instincts. Trust your fear but don't let it stop you. By that I mean-- don't let yourself call it chickening out. If you observe that she is different from day to day and you don't think it is safe, it's not safe. Trust the instincts you develop. It's GOOD to be afraid of being nailed by a burmese. But by the same token, don't let the fear color the normal stuff. Watch her a lot and recognize when she is not in feeding mode. Check what you can do and can't do. Have back up plans upon back up plans but keep taking one small step each time you are there. It sounds like you are doing a great job with her and with the whole incident and I am really glad you are ok.

[retic720]

@JLC:

Wow. You put me to shame; I rant on how I can make my 2 "bratty retics" puppy tame like their "older sister" retic and shy ball python (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=96381) but...wow. That's all I can say. Never seen so much determination.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Thanks, Theresa!

I got a squirt bottle of Listerine all set up in there, now. And I do have a hook. I touch her head with it, and let her slide her neck along it whenever I open her cage and it's NOT feeding day. Hopefully she'll get used to that routine.

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... Not a good feeling.

So, I got a medium sized tub-lid and used that as a shield...got her cage all cleaned and water freshened up, but I didn't take her out of the enclosure.

I did get pictures of the set-up and of Butterscotch and will get those up as soon as possible, but it might not be until this weekend...my schedule has been crazy-busy lately.

Thanks again, guys...for all your great advice and sympathetic ears!!

Killer snake handling equipment...
1. Listerine filled squirt bottle- check!
2. Trusty tub lid for shield- check!
3. Man eater snake gloves- check!
4. Man eatin' snake handling hook- check!
Maybe pick up a catchers mask or hockey mask for face shots??

Wes.. Dude you had me rolling about the knot in the shoelace addition to the story

JLC Your determination and the way you went about handling this ordeal deserves some major respect

[JLC]

LOL...thanks guys. It really wasn't a big deal. Well, I mean, it sure got the adrenaline going...but all anyone can do is sit and wait it out, so that's what I did.

I like the face-mask idea! I could go in there with a whole set of hockey goalie gear!

Here's an update on the story if anyone missed it:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=102833

[mainbutter]

I was there yesterday and sort of chickened-out. She was extremely alert and tracking my every move very closely. I honestly couldn't tell if she was just curious what I was up to, or if she was waiting for just the right moment to strike. I kept having visions of her going for my face... Not a good feeling.

This is the exact feeling I had when I first got my carpet python. She was a little hissy for the first two weeks (shaken up from the shipping and new environment), but little did I know at the time how quickly that would stop. I heard stories about nippy younglings, so I was very wary. The first time I tried to handle her, I was completely out of my element in judging her mood. She kept her eyes locked on my face, would retreat a bit if I reached in, but then move towards me, sometimes she would pose in what looked like a strike position. I couldn't tell if she was curious or if she felt threatened.

I quickly learned that she had no desire to strike anything other than food, but it takes time to pick up on a new snake's personality, especially if it is a species you haven't worked with before, and ESPECIALLY something that seems active and alert, rather than passive and uninterested in you.