how to handle defensive/ nippy hatchlings

[zina10]

I have posted this in another thread, but thought I would give it its own thread as well. I see lots of beginners getting their first snake and then being nervous to pick it up, because the snake acts defensive.

This trick might not work for everyone, but it has served me well

Anyway, here goes:



I have a trick I use with the "huffy" babies that tend to get defensive. I always let them know its not feeding time first. Usually they are in a hide, so I lift the hide off of them.

They are still curled up by then and might start to breathe fast and "huff" a little. Take one of your hand put it on the snake. Make sure your palm is flat and come from right above. Do this in one quick fluent motion. (don't smack down, though, obviously).

The point is that your flat hand coming from above their head doesn't present a "target".
And you don't give them time to figure it out.

With your hand on them, slightly cup it and hold the animal down. Don't use lot of pressure, just enough to make them feel enclosed, as if they were in a small hide. Now they might "huff" and stiffen up, but ignore that. With your other hand you scoop them up from underneath them, again, in a quick and fluent motion, without rushing or acting nervous. You might hear another huff and/or the snake tenses up. Ignore that. Now pick them up , cupped in between your hands, and sit down somewhere quiet, put your cupped hands and snake in your lap and RELAX.

The snake will relax as well in its "hand hide" and slowly start to peek out and slither out between your fingers and hands and explore a bit. Loosen up your hands to where you just lightly cover the snake. Usually they will explore a bit in one direction with half of their body, then return to the "safe hands" and come back out another side, and so on...

The hands become the "safe area". After the snake is relaxed and curious, usually about 10 minutes or so, return it to the tub, you might not have to cover the snake with the hand again, it should be calm by now. When returning, don't just nervously drop it in the tub and pull your hand back quickly. Lay your hand in the tub slowly, with the snake still on it, and let it slither off your hands, then remove your hand slowly. You want the whole experience to be calm without spooking the snake.

When you carry the snake, always try to support its body in more then just one spot. Don't just hold it like a hook, letting it dangle.

You're teaching it that the hands are safe, and by you staying calm and relaxed and moving confidently, you don't freak it out.

Usually it takes about 3 times of this before the snake will stop huffing and tensing, and from then on it just gets easier, eventually you don't cover them anymore, or just lightly above their head (the bigger snakes you cover their head and most of the body, not all of it). You also eventually only cover them lightly when you remove them from the tub, then remove your hand from on top of them.

Handle daily , for short periods. Don't handle after eating, of course, or during shed. Most are ok to be handled during shed, but thats something I wouldn't do until the snake has relaxed with handling and is completely fine with it.

Now I haven't had an outright fire breathing highly aggressive snake yet, but this method works well with the defensive ones, that get nervous and strike or bite because of it.

I know this is long winded, I tried to explain it best I could. Might not work for everyone or every snake, but always worked for mine. Never been bit by a BP yet.

And yes, I know I probably jinxed myself now, haha. I did knock on wood




Thanks for reading

ps. My little pastel enchi was one of those that huffed and tensed up. I used this method on her and yesterday, 3rd handling session, there was no more huff or tensing, just a calm snake curiously exploring. I only covered her lightly during removing from the tub, and took my hand off her right away, since I could tell she was "fine with it" now

[stratus_020202]

That's really good. Usually when I run into new owners, they tell me their snake is always mean and they want to get rid of it. 90% its a baby. I'm like, no he's just hungry. I mean, who wants to eat nothing but egg yoke for two months. Lol.

With my nippy ones I just take their hide and gently touch the top of their head to bring them out of feed mode. Yours is probably a better alternative. I don't want anyone taking "gently" out of context. Nicely done.

[K2exotics]

very good job explaining this one LU! I think we should keep track of this for the new owners who post " help I dont want to get bit" threads.

[Herp Hugger]

I wish I'd read this before I got MY first snake! It may have prevented the bite I got! I plan on getting 1 or 2 more babies this year so I'll be sure to try this.

Thanks!