What shoul I do?

[Korei]

My bp hasn't been held in a while and her every 7-10 days. she just ate friday and yesterday she came out of her hide box followed me around my room as if I was a rat . UMM, she sure knows how to make a guy want to get close to her. but that makes me aprehensive. helppp

[mousch]

She's just curious, and wants to see what's going on outside of her cage. It's like when you look out the window! She's like "Heeey what's that guy doing???"
She won't see you as food in any way possible, don't worry. Take her out when she does that - she's in a curious and outgoing mood at those times.

[Korei]

I hope this isn't a setup I haven't held her since July... and she's almost a year old.

[JLC]

I hope this isn't a setup I haven't held her since July

A "setup" by whom? Mousch wouldn't give you advice with the intention of you getting bit. And your snake isn't trying to act "outgoing" so it can get a chance to bite you when you pick it up.

Here's my thoughts on your situation, as you've described it...

You either have to get over your fear of your snake...or you need to find it a new home. Simple as that. I do hope you're able to overcome your nervousness and become a great snake-keeper.

A bite from a BP is really nothing to be afraid of. It is way more startling than it is painful...from all I've heard and read, it's nothing more than a papercut or pinprick, at the worst. So just brace yourself to not be too startled, and reach in to pick up your snake. Feel free to wear gloves if it will make you less fearful.

You HAVE to be able to reach in and take care of your snake. Else, how will you provide the fresh water and clean housing it needs to survive? You have to be able to do more than lift the lid and throw a rodent in there now and then.

So...good luck with it. Let us know how it goes.

[bjthomps]

I hope this isn't a setup I haven't held her since July... and she's almost a year old.

I will admit, I am the worst 1 to give you advice...my wife will tell you I still don't like the idea of getting bit (be nice Aud )

but having said that, avoid the mistake that I still make WAY too often! When you reach in, be prepared mentally and tell yourself a bite is no big deal....instinct will make you jerk your hand away if/when the snake makes a sudden movement, even if it is not really striking (I still do it and hate that I do!) It's a learning experience!

-BT

[TheDoctor]

If you`re aprehensive about picking her up, just open the cage, let her come out on her own and then pick her up. I think the odds of getting tagged is probably 1000/1. I have a 2 year old BP, and the longest she went without handling was almost 3 weeks, and she was still her sweet self when I picked her up.
You should handle her at least once a week though.

[Grim91Z]

A bite from a BP won't do much, a Boa, on the other hand, can draw blood (I should know, sticking my rat smelling hand in TWICE). I'm sure it's eagar for you to pick her out of her cage to let her roam around. Just give it a shot. If she bites, I'll take her for free.

[hoo-t]

A bite from a BP won't do much, a Boa, on the other hand, can draw blood (I should know, sticking my rat smelling hand in TWICE). I'm sure it's eagar for you to pick her out of her cage to let her roam around. Just give it a shot. If she bites, I'll take her for free.

BPs can definitely, without a doubt, draw blood. The worst bite that I have had came from a 800 gram female. Didn't hurt much, and really didn't bleed much. I've had much worse bites from my rats, and my dog does more damage when she and I play.

Steve

[Korei]

thanks for the encouraging words. I do change her water every morning and clean her cage of poop and "p" rocks as needed. But like you said it's a mental barrier i have to get over.

[Korei]

I was just joking about it being a setup. And I have been bit befor and knows it scares more than hurts.