Many animals are very defensive when you get in their teritory. The more you hover over them the more upset they get. The best thing is to get them out of the enclosure quickly and swiftly. If you are worried about getting bit use a snake hook. Once they are out of their home/safety zone they usually chill out. If they sense you are nervous/scared they usually get more agressive. Take control of the situation and they will relinquish control. hesitate and they feel they are winning the battle. I like to wash my hands so i smell like soap when I pick them up so they won't mistake me for something else(rat). i had a real aggressive girl who got an RI once and had to wrestle her everytime I had to give her a shot and she sensed my uneasyness and fought like the ****ens. Eventually I just went in there like a marine and took no prisioners and she eventually gave in. I always had my hook ready so when she struck at me I didn't hesitate and just pulled her out with the hook and took over. I had to do this all myself, no helpers. Animals have a great sense of strength or weakness. Show them who's boss.