Still Shy :)

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Hello all!

‘Ruby’, my 5.5 month old Lavendar noodle, is growing. Time passes so fast . She seems to be doing well. Temps are good - feeding has been overall very good except when I moved to a larger enclosure so I’ve recently moved her back.

Despite handling a few times a week (by slowly lifting hide and removing her) she is still scared of hands. She initially curls up when trying to handle, then moves around a lot - but always to get away or find a hiding place. I can tell she is scared and doesn’t like handling. Is this normal at her age? I want to try choice-based handling but I feel like she would never come out unless coaxed. Any thoughts/insights would be much appreciated.

I recently uploaded some pictures of Ruby to my gallery

I would advise you to give choice-based handling a try. Forced handling is stressing your snake, and chronic stress can lead to health problems. You don't want that.

Open Noodle's enclosure. If she chooses to come out, then handle her. If she doesn't, then don't. It's as simple as that. A snake that chooses to be handled isn't going to be stressed by it. You're concerned that she won't come out. Then, why do you need a door on your enclosure? You need a door because she will come out.

Now, I'm not going to say that this isn't going to require some patience. As Beans suggested, it's a good idea on days when she doesn't come out leave the door open and hang out nearby (fully conscious ). In her own time, she'll choose to engage with you. Keep it positive and you'll be well on your way to building a healthy relationship with your snake.