New Rescue. Normie or no?

[zina10]

Zina, excellent advice, thank you for the tips, I am going to try this stuff with my babies.

I do this with my brand new hatchlings, some of which can be REALLY defensive. (and one is simply a stinker). All have already calmed down and I only handle them for cleaning the tub and a couple picture sessions.

If they look "primed" or not, I always approach with a flat hand from up above them. Not really from "in front of them". That does not give them a target to tag. Then I lower my flat hand gently on top of them, slightly touching their whole body and head downwards. I then use that hand to pick them up no problem. If they "s" up again in hand (which only one did) I use the other hand to do the same thing again. Come from up above with flat hand, gently pushing that angry head down and putting SLIGHT pressure onto the body, then lifting the hand again. And they are calm and sweet.

I can't stress enough though, that this is NOT a aggressive motion. Not to scare them or punish them. It just seems to snap them out of that mode and calms them down. Never use it angry, never move quick or harsh.

I don't like gloves with the small ones, because I can't really feel them. I like to feel if they tense up or move and I want to feel how much pressure I'm using in holding them. But yours aren't as little, so if you want to use gloves until you are more comfortable, go ahead. Try to find the ones that are quite soft and not so thick. Like the "rose bush trimming" gloves out of soft leather, they are more then enough protection...

If you feel uncomfortable using your hand to do the "touch" when first getting them out, or you can't really approach from above easily, you can use a paper towel roll with a bit of paper still on it, so its skinny, but still soft. Gently push that head down, then take them out. Its more about the touch, then a push. Only do this if they seem tense and ready to strike.

Only do any of that after they are well established eaters, so you know they aren't just acting out from stress..