How Long To Let New Arrivals Settle In Before Handling?/Tips For Taming?

[zina10]

Well, husbandry sounds great ! So does the setup.

I would def. NOT handle "a few times the day". I think what makes them the most nervous is the initial "picking up". Which probably makes YOU the most nervous, too You don't want to put them through this stress a few times the day.
Follow Going Postals advice. Don't drag it out. Let them know you are "there", like a touch with the hook, and then just gently but deliberately pick one up and immediately support the body. If they "flip flop" a bit or musk or nip, try to ignore that and find a "quiet" space and just sit with them. No walking around, or stuff moving around them. No putting anything near their face and keep YOUR face away. Just sit and let them learn nothing bad happens. Then return them to the tub gently. Once you move they probably tense up again, but keep moving deliberate but slow, no jerking or jumping or dropping them into their tub quickly.

Its not how often you handle, but HOW you handle. You want good experiences. If you overwhelm them, it will not be a good experience. Time and patience. Around 10 to 15 minutes per handling, not every day. Not the day before feeding or 2 days after.

If gloves make you feel better, try to find those that are used for working around roses and such. They are soft but strong leather. You will have a better "feel" of the snake, unlike with thick or stiff gloves. Some Rose Gloves have panels of stiffer leather up the forearm, some are for hands only.

You are there to observe them, and you will have to "read" your snake. They are all a bit different. You can judge best to see what works.

"Flooding" and overwhelming them does not work. Gentle, patience and building trust does. Some need more time, some less. Just stop the handling before they might get to agitated, always try to end on a good note.