Handling my BP - Don't laugh!

[AMPearce]

I know how you feel. After having bp's for only a few months I bought a large adult female and the second time I ever tried to take her out she bit me. Looking back it was totally bc of my stupidity (she was hungry, I had just finished cleaning mouse cages and didn't bother to wash my hands...lol). I tried to pick her up a couple days later and it took me a good half hour to work up the nerve.

But anyways, if she just curling up she shouldn't be any problem, she's not trying to strike you. Even if you do get bit the first times the scarriest, after that you'll be like oh that was nothing...lol

btw I'm 6'5" 270

[Jenn]

Sorry, I had to laugh. Like most good humor I laughed because I can relate to your story. I went through the same thing.

You've got some great advice here. Just "pretend" you are not afraid. I found it helpful to wear only one glove. Reach right in, remove the hide, and grab him about a third of the way down from his head with your gloved hand. Don't hesitate. Leave enough neck free so that he could bite you if he wanted to. Make your hand work like a snake hook so even though you have him grasped you are only touching him with your finger tips and the tip of your thumb on his belly. Then come in from behind with your ungloved hand to support the body. Once he relaxes slip the glove off. Of course if he's in the ball position just scoop him up.

It gets a little easier every time.

Happy Halloween!!!!

[PiebaldFan]

dont worry man im 6'5 and 250 and got my first ball alst year and was scared like a lil school girl he puffed and stuff and move dhis head towards my hand but then i said what the heck worst happens he bites me and i get it over with so i reache din with confidence and onc eu have him in ur hands he should calm down and be aweosme thats hwo mine was averytime they need to no ur a safe zone when u pick them up . lol goood luck

tall paul

[Oxylepy]

I dont know if I would be trying to pick it up after only feeding it once. I understand the urge, but I typically wait for 3 feedings (about 4 weeks) before handling.

As for getting him out: pull the top off and just grab him. Then pick him up and hold him still for a few moments so he can relax. I do it all the time and it saves you from being hissed at or having a snake that is spazing out.

[Patricia]

All i did was open the cage, reach in coming from behind his head, and scooped him right up. He had no chance to get nervous or even know what was going on.

Do most of you approach from behind or in full sight of the snake?

Although not bitten, ours has lashed out at me in that lightning fast defenseive strike, scaring the bejeebers outta me (it was about half a year old), and I still haven't fully gotten over that fear. So after letting our BP know I'm there (tapping on hide before removing it), I always approach from behind to pick him up. It also avoids that quick head flinching.

So, when you folks say you "just scoop it up," is your hand approaching from in front or behind?

[OhhWatALoser]

I just grab em more form the top i'd say, just reach in and pick em up, they know im there when i pull the hide off them, im pretty sure all of them can assume their coming out for some reason when i pull the hide off them, exception being breeding pairs, just checking on them.

you guys are really making this out harder to be, its a baby ball python, forget the gloves or snake hook, just pick it up.

only one I have to watch is my 2 month old amazon tree boa i just got last week... very defensive still, but when your not much more than 20 grams i bet the whole world seems like its out to get you. no snake hook or gloves, and still pull the hide off, but i distract her with one hand and grab her with the other lol. but even after the few days I've been handling her, shes getting more confortable. yesterday, she never struck once at me. bet you in a few months ill be able to reach my hand right in without worry. like all my other snakes.

[OhhWatALoser]

heres me picking up the smallest bp i have, the biggest bp i have, and the snake most likly to bite me.


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture004-3.flv
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture006-1.flv
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...cture007-2.flv

[luna13]

ok i must admit im still a little nervous and scared sometime but whats the best thing to do if your little BP likes to strike at you?

[dr del]

Hi,

Well I generally say things like "aww isn't that adorable!" or on occasion "let go ya wee bugger!"

Best advice is to try and remain calm and not to pull away or make any sudden movements.

I sometimes have good luck with distracting them by keeping them moving or pointing their heads towards a tv screen ( yes I know it sounds nuts ) - I figure that if they don't get a chance to "lock onto" something they are less likely to strike. And of course if there is something in front of them changing they are too busy watching it and assessing it for threat to think about striking at the thing they are sitting on.

And once they have been sitting in your hands for a good length of time without getting hurt they tend to relax a little and come out of the strike pose all on their own.

Not all of that works all the time though.


dr del

[DarkSean]

Seeing as everyone else is, Im 5'6 and 140, but i find if you just dive in there and not give them time to think they are ok, but if you hang around and umm and arrr they have time to think... Hey, hes gonna eat me.. *hisss*