One of our habits with all the snakes is to aim for a good calm removal from their enclosure and a good calm return to the enclosure. If something happens in between we take the time to allow the snake to calm down and for ourselves to also relax, then we return the snake to it's home. We think it's good for the snakes to never associate being taken from their tubs or returned to their tubs as a time to be defensive or something to fear (in whatever ways a snake would feel fear of a situation).

For instance, if Brannagh is out for handling and being a handful we don't return her until after she calms, even slightly. Gradually she's becoming more calm and for longer periods of time and also becoming easier to remove and return to her home. She is only out once or twice per week as handling for her is a stressful event and needs to be done with a lot of care and respect for this special creature.

Even if Brannagh never likes associating with us humans we need to work with her to allow more safety for cage maintenance and lower her stress when she sees someone enter the snake room.


~~Jo~~