I'm sure it'll go nicely Bryce. I can relate though as when I'm handling either Saoirse, who is very scared yet or Brannagh, who isn't scared and would prefer to chew on me a bit, I'm more nervous than I like being.

I really feel they pick this up from the handler. Either in a smell we release when we are nervous or our breathing rate or whatever, but I know when I'm more nervous, they seem to react to it. What I'm doing lately with these two is to set up a very stringent routine so that we only handle them when the house is very quiet and we are not in any sort of rush. I make sure I've got gloves on with Bran so I don't have to worry more than I should about a hard bite. I try to be aware of my own anxiety and make sure I'm very relaxed.

Whether everyone thinks this is wierd or not, I try to visual a nice handling session and send out those vibes, as well as just talking soothingly to the snake (and likely to myself LOL). I just make sure I'm sitting so if they dart off, I can't possibly drop them and put them back after a short time so it's a success for both of us. I try to make sure that coming out of their enclosure and going back in are nice and not a struggle for me or the snake.

Let us know how it goes.


~~Jo~~