Phantom: Super Ghost BCI Progression Thread

[ckuhn003]

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.

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. Always appreciate the advice!

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

No offense taken whatsoever! This is why I ask what may seem like simple questions because this is my 1st 'rodeo' with BOAs and snakes in general. I was figuring that I only had 4 days a week to hold Phantom (accounting for a non holding feeding day and 48 hours afterwards) but if every other day during the four days is suggested then I'll incorporate that into our schedule. And to be clear, holding time has only been a matter of minutes (< 5) and it's basically tapping him and taking him out near his enclosure. It's a quiet room and I don't take him anywhere (other then when I got bit the 1st time and learned a valuable lesson). I will say that once he finds something he can latch on, it's very difficult trying to pry him loose. I think this is where he gets stressed and starts going into defensive mode. Maybe I should try and do a better job of keeping him away from objects that he can grab onto. Thanks again for the feedback!