Quote Originally Posted by ckuhn003 View Post
I took Phantom out for the 3rd consecutive night for a small holding session (the 1st two were pretty positive). Tonight he was pretty squirmy trying to latch on to anything in site. As I tried to pry him off of the rim of the tub he opened his mouth acting like he was going to strike. It was almost a repeat situation of the 1st time when he struck after I tried to re-correct him when he started to squirm.

I kind of waited him out and let him chill while he was latched to his enclosure and then proceed to put him back. Remembering what was said on here by not letting his 'bad behavior' dictate him being put back in the enclosure, I decided to attempt to get him out again. He was still active and latched himself onto the lid which i just waited him out again while rubbing his body with my hand.

Was this the proper approach to take? I felt like if I really tried to hold hold him then I would of gotten tagged.
If he got squirmy and opened his mouth, etc. He was telling you, that's enough. It might too much for him right now, three days in a row.

If he shows signs of being overwhelmed, put him back and leave alone at least the rest of that day, and probably the next as well.

Personally, I think you are moving too fast with him. He's little and very young. He's not used to be handled yet and you want even experience to be a good one. You are pushing your luck taking him out three days in a row, IMO.

For reference, I almost never (there has to a be good reason) take out any of my snakes more than once a day, and usually not every day either. All of mine are calm and docile every time they are handled, and aside from Solana (who we have only had two months - and is incredibly calm and docile already), I've been handling every snake I have for anywhere between a year and 5 years plus, depending on how long I've had them. I make a point of not stressing them out, if I can avoid it, ever.

I respect them and their solitary nature, and, in turn, they tend to respect me too.

You were worried in the past about having bad handling experiences and having that ruin your rapport with Phantom. I think you are getting there. You can't make him calm down, it's going to happen with time and size on him.

Leave him alone tonight and tomorrow and try again the day after (unless it's feeding day). I would handle, at the most, every other day, until he's bigger and isn't squirming so much and is chilling more.

I am not sure how long you have him out either. I would say, at his size and age, 5 minutes tops per handling session. Low traffic areas, with little movement or things that could distract or scare him.

You can not dictate your will on a snake. You win over time with repetition and respect.

I am not trying to be a jerk, and again, go back to your prior question on whether or not you can ruin your rapport you are building with him and if he can revert. I think you can absolutely prolong developing it and/or ruin it by asserting yourself, rather than listening to him.

As you have learned, "getting tagged" by a snake that size is hardly a big deal. I wouldn't worry about that. I would worry about what you are doing to make him feel like he has to. As you have said, he is chill most of the time, that seems to be his M.O. He does not seem aggressive or defensive. Be patient. He should be with you another 20-30 years if you take care of him.

Good luck and keep us in the loop.